I Sleep In A Tent

It's 4th of July week and our family went camping!

Every year Bob's sister (Marie) brings her family out to visit. So far, it has always been over 4th of July. Last year there was some discussion toward the end of the trip and the plan was formed to go on a camping trip to the coast. This was very exciting - especially for the kids.

See, we generally took our kids to the coast at least once every year when we lived in Maine. They love the ocean, love the waves, love the sand, they love it all.

And a little over eleven years ago, Bob and I went to Patrick's Point as part of our honeymoon trip.

So this trip was pretty special. It meant that all of our children (except Jacob) would have been to both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean (Jacob will eventually as well) and they would get to see a place that is near to mine and Bob's heart.

Of course, for them, the biggest excitement comes from being at the ocean AND being with cousins!

Anyway - the next few posts will be pictures from our trip - which will include pictures from Gabi as well (since she had her own camera this year). And, you'll be able to tell that she and I were the picture takers - but that's okay - we're also in a few ourselves.

As we came near to the coast, I was brought to happy elements of homesickness - is there really such a thing? There was fog - lots of fog! It rolled in, rolled over, and it was thick and then thin and it was just beautiful. After all, fog means moisture and moisture when green, lush vegetation! (And, as Bob's sister Julie said - she got to use her wipers - that never happens where she lives)

Setting up camp may take awhile, we there are always plenty of little hands to help out. We had three campsites - Aunt Julie had one, then grandma and grandpa in the middle - which was also where all the picnic tables were moved to and the "kitchen" was set up, and then the two kid families (ours and Marie's) were in the other one. So our little site had three tents - two for adults with the youngest kids and one for the oldest four girls.

There was also a lot of down time - so there was reading, and watching, and building of fairy houses (oh, and don't forget snacking).

And no camping trip is complete without at least one night of s'mores - Marie's kids had already had theirs and gone to bed as our family had headed out for a sunset the night that we did them.

Each day was full of adventure and fun. Hikes, and splashing, sight seeing, and family time!

Breakfast each morning was delicious and filling. Lunch was picnic style - with all sorts of goodies (or as grandma likes to call it... "Grandma's and Grandpa's junk") and dinners were amazing! We were often visited by birds (one even landed on Bob's hat) - but who could blame the birds when we had the best food around by far! Of course, we had the very best cooks and the best planner for all that too!

We've had a wonderful week! - The rest to come soon!