Camping 2012

I remember camping a lot as a kid.  So much that I'm sure we must have gone more than once a summer- mom? dad?  Now as an adult, the prep and energy it takes to go camping makes me think we will just do it once a summer.  That being said, we really enjoy it when we go.  Last year Monica was not mobile and I thought it was going to be hard.  It wasn't.  Perspective always changes what is "hard" when it comes to kids.  This year I was worried it was going to be "hard" with mobile Monica.  So I schemed, what would make camping with a 1 1/2 year old easier? . . . distractions!  That's right, we invited friends with a child Monica's age.  It worked pretty well.  There were no burns, not even a cut.  That's a success, right?  In addition, we "adults" enjoyed the time with friends too.  We fit in all the good camping traditions- sleeping in tents, foil dinners, hiking, swimming, napping, games, reading, s'mores and scotch and cigars (what?, that's not a traditional camping activity, well, don't tell Tony).  Our camping trip for the 2012 summer was a great success, already looking forward to next year.

Daddy building the fire, Monica lending support by snacking.

We brought Monica's portable seat to strap her down if need be, unfortunately I forgot the tray.

First foil dinner attempt, second attempt looked and tasted much better.

Monica and her friend, Isabella, in their big kid camping chairs.

Lining up for breakfast.

Hiking is so exhausting.

The girls were obsessed with the cars, inside and out.  That, or they really wanted to go home.

Playing at the beach.

Kabobs for dinner night two.  Yum!

Singing songs around the campfire, well, in the same campsite as the fire.

Good morning!  Monica treated the tent as a giant bouncy house, I think it was only thanks to exhaustion that she slept.

Monica "helping" Daddy take down the tent.

Family photo at the end of our trip.  Dirty, smelly, tired and happy.