On the Mountain

So all last week we were watching the weather to see if it would be nice, warm and clear Friday night. We were planning on taking the kids camping for the first time!!! We were both so excited--we used to camp all the time, but we've had little kids for a while now! The last time we camped in our tent I was 8 months pregnant with Lawson!!!

It was supposed to be nice, so we packed up all our gear and hit the road--to go 15 minutes to Monte Sano!! We rented a primitive campsite--that means there is a firepit and NOTHING else!

As soon as we got there and started unloading the van the kids headed to explore in the woods! I am so glad they were as excited as we were!!

Jon and I set up camp, including the tent and all our food, drinks and supplies. The kids loved the tent! (Until bedtime, that is....)

After camp was set up, we went out on a short hike to explore and see what we could find. In the midst of the electric/water sites we found a little pavilion and playground.

This kid is strong, I tell you....strong!!
Lawson and Daddy...

Always climbing...
This is fun!!!

Jon teaching Lawson how to climb a tree...

Taking a break and getting a drink out of the new cups Babo gave us....

The sun's going down and it will be dark soon....gotta get dinner started! We're all starving!!!

Lawson helping Daddy check to make sure the burgers are done...
Eating dinner by the warm fire!! We used our supply box for the kids to put their plates on!
Night was rough!! It took the kids a while to fall asleep. When they had finally been sound asleep for a while, Jon and I closed up camp for the night and went to bed. I was freezing and could not fall asleep. Somewhere in the middle of the night both kids woke up crying that they were thirsty--must have been b/c we were by the campfire all night. I was pretty thirsty too! Lawson then woke up at 6:30 because it was light outside, but we told him it was too early and he went back to sleep for another hour, til he heard a woodpecker outside and got all excited!

So, he and Jon got up to get the campfire going again. Did you know this place has a continental breakfast??? :)
Jordan playing in the dirt and rocks...
After breakfast we started packing up camp. The kids explored some more while we put everything up, then we hiked over to the big playground. Here's Lawson jumping across the large boulders...
And sliding...

And the kids teeter-tottering....

We finished up with a picnic lunch before we headed to the overlook to see the valley then back to the car. It was time to clean up these dirty dirty kids and get them in bed for a good nap!!!

We had the most fun camping out Friday night!! While I was putting Lawson down for the night in the tent, we were talking about what he was most thankful for that day. He said "I'm so thankful we had pretty weather so we could go camping. I'm really, really excited about that! I love camping!!"

Me too, son. Me too!