Birthday Campout

We had a camp out for Aaron's 31 birthday!  We were worried about rain, but the rain stopped just before we arrived and instead we were plagued by mosquitoes.  For the most part, the kids didn't mind that, though.

Cole had fun rambling all over, 'helping' Mom and Dad put up the tent, throwing rocks, and following his older siblings.

The older three all loved this tree in the middle of our site.  Perfect climbing tree!

"Look how high I can go, Mom!" ~Evie

"Mom!  Monkey says 'ooh-ooh, ee-ee'!" ~Carson

We took a walk, exploring around our camp.  There was a pond with a pier, and the kids loved the 'walking on water' feeling.

Part of our walk, Aaron took the older kids into some woods (and got totally swarmed by mosquitoes!) while Cole and I took pictures of this leaf with it's droplets of water.

The kids loved rolling down this hill.  Personally, I was grossed out by the all the goose poo, but I make concessions while camping.  It all comes off when we get home.

Evie spent a lot of time gathering leaves and feathers.  She found some really pretty ones!

I adore how Lizzie's hair gets some spring in it when it's super-humid out!  She's probably going to hate it in a few years, but it's so cute!

We spent the just-after-sundown time making and eating s'mores.  Evie burned one, Carson dropped one in the fire, and then they perfected their methods and got some great s'mores.

One of Evie's collected leaves.  It reminded me of leopard-print!

Poor Cole got the worst of the mosquitoes for sure!  He has a triangle on his forehead and several on his legs and even in his hair!  I felt so sorry for him!

Sleeping was sort of tough.  The kids wanted to play, until we pulled out the tablet and put on a movie for them.  Aaron and I took turns trying to calm Cole to sleep; Aaron eventually won.  As for us adults, I sadly neglected to bring our own pillows AND I found out our inflatable mattress was in need of repair.  I counted the night as a success, though, because, unlike some of our other camping trips, I didn't have any bowel accidents!  (Needing to go, but made it to a toilet every time at least.)

I told Evie her collection had to be left in nature, but at least she got a picture of his to remind her! 

This truly epitomizes how we spent most of the camping trip.

Happy Birthday, Aaron!