Priesthood Commemorative Campout aka Fathers/Sons

Brett, Justice, Michael and Ryan braved the grey skies to attend the annual Father/Sons Campout now known as the Priesthood Commemorative Campout. Politically correct title, I guess. That way ALL the men & boys feel welcome! They do have a small fireside with a speaker about the Priesthood Restoration every time so the Priesthood title is fitting. They did a campfire dinner and stayed up way too late! In the morning they did fishing and shooting. A Father/Son Paradise!

P.S. I didn't remind them to take the camera so... you know what that means. No pictures of the fun! But here's what the sunset looked like out towards their direction. I guess when it's all men--Ya get what ya get!!! LOL It was a pretty sunset though so enjoy! and imagine what it'd be like camping under it! ;)

Memorial Weekend Camping Trip

The weather perked up a bit so we took our chances and headed up to Turtle River State Park for some camping with the Larsens. The original plan was to have 6 or so families come up for the weekend but due to moving and weather circumstances our numbers dwindled to two. We had a blast though! Turtle River is beautiful. We'll definitely have to go again especially because we recently bought a Popup trailer from the Babcocks.  We have never been big campers but let me tell you... plug that baby in, plug in a heater and some bedtime music and we are SET! We might even make this a Camping Adventure Summer. We'll see!
Back to our Memorial Day Camping...

We picked the best two sites in all the Park. We totally lucked out. If you ever go with a group, make sure you get sites 15 & 16, then 13 or 23. They are Perfect! We got up a bit late so we just had time to set up camp and eat a bit of dinner. The kids all wanted to help setup the Popup. Sorry Ryan- you're tent is cool too! LOL

We did Hobo dinners again (love them!)

and what camp fire is complete without Sh'mores? Yum!

Some of the kids were dying to go fishing. My amazing hubby braved 4 kids on his own in the DARK, mind you to take them. What a guy! They even got a couple. They were <-----------this----------> big! Literally! Like 4 inches. LOL. But Brett cooked one up over the fire and most the kids tried it. They loved it! Nothing like fresh fish. Too funny!

In the morning, we had breakfast burritos and headed for Church in Grand Forks. Nothing like Camp-Smoke Visitors in Sacrament Meeting! LOL When we got back we cleaned up camp while McKenzie played Old Maid with the kids. (The Larsens stayed another night) Then, we had lunch at the Playground. The winds had picked up and the temps were pretty chilly but the kids always have fun together.

We did a bit more fishing before we left. All the kids caught something. Maggie and Lilly think fishing is fun and easy! Oops! Sorry Ryan! (Gotta love beginners luck!) Glory carried her fish everywhere. She made sure he got a drink once in a while (even though he was long gone by then ;) The river was beautiful and protected a bit from the wind. Perfect fishing for little kids.

Thanks Larsen for inviting us! Let's do it again soon. Happy Campers are we!

Crazy Camping Papa

Brett has been wanting to take the kids camping one more time before the weather got too cold. Well-  a little too late for the coldness factor but they went camping nonetheless. Brett got off a bit early from donating blood and packed the older 3 kids up. Victoria surprised us that she wanted to brave the adventure.They ended up heading out to Brewer Lake for the night. They made yummy and a bit crisp (oops!) Hobo dinners and did marshmallows by the campfire. The pesty mosquitos were out by the swarms until the temps dropped too low for them to fly. (Oh-that's comforting for a Mother to know! LOL!) Victoria spent a majority of the time in the Burb warming herself up but she did say she was glad she went. After a gorgeous sunset, they got all suggled up tight in the tent with the Buddy Heater. It worked awesome until it ran out about 2 AM at which time Brett woke up and spent the night listening to the coyotes howl. (Another comforting Mother moment;)

They did survive the cold night alive! In the morning, they packed up camp and did some Go-Kart driving. Great-- teach the 9 year old to drive! Thanks, Love-That's helpful!! LOL! She did love it though. They also did a bit of fishing. They only caught ONE and let him go but they do LOVE fishing! Well- at least Victoria and Justice do. If it wasn't for the cold- they could have done it for hours.

Thanks, Honey for making memories with the kids. They love being with you even in the artic temps!

Father & Son Campout AND Girls Night In

Last night was the annual Father & Son's Campout for our Ward. Here's the Collage of all the pictures Brett took of the event:























(Oh! I forgot---He didn't take ANY!!!!! I even reminded him. He's so fired!! LOL!) But they did say they had a great time.

Meanwhile the girls and I had a fun night of our own AND we took pictures! We put the baby to bed and stayed up late painting our nails and watching Enchanted. Then, we made them a tent in the front room to have a campout. They are such great kids! Luv ya girls!