I have always been a camper.
a tent camper.
none of this RV fake camping nonsense.
my first trip was when I was six months old.
I am sure it was awesome.
we were one of those couples who swore
"when we have kids we will still camp!!!"
and judged those who rented cabins.
but then we were camping when Halley was a baby and I was pregnant
(puking in the woods dozens of times a day) with Lucy.
a freak rainstorm flooded our tent.
it was not awesome.
we considered leaving the tent and heading home in the middle of the night.
instead we piled into the car with our wet dog and tried to sleep.
the next year we rented a cabin.
so when my sis in law got the great idea to camp with all
of the cousins this summer I said yes.
then thought...
for reals?
where is my cabin?
my internet?
clean sheets?
shower?
who have I become???
sequoia is breathtaking.
we could spend a month there and still not come close to seeing all of it's wonders.
eight kids.
five and under.
can you say NOISY?
here is my public apology to the young child-free couple who camped next to us. I think that their plans for a family have just been extended by a few dozen years.
Jason's sister lives in Turkey during the year and comes to
California each summer for an extended visit.
There is really nothing like cousins. Despite the miles apart, each the girls see each other they pick right back up where they left off. It is so beautiful.
For the first time our girls were out of the stroller and actually hiking on their own.
A minute after this shot we saw a bear.
Right next to us.
Rad.
Janey was not impressed.
The girls had their first experience fishing.
I filled their tackle boxes with candy.
This mom does not do worms.
Or hooks.
Lulu picked a Star Wars fishing pole.
Big points with her father for that choice.
I suppose it was more casting, less fishing, since we had no bait and there were no fish.
They didn't seem to mind.
The water was snow run off.
I couldn't even get my feet wet it was so cold.
My happy-every-single-second-of-the-day child loved it.
I wish I lived in a meadow like this.
In my opinion Queen Anne's lace is the most beautiful weed.
I would welcome it in my backyard.
Is this the cutest bear bait you have ever seen?
Don't mock the St. Pat's pj's.
We are Irish the other 364 days of the year too.
This night owl went to bed at eight each night with the girls.
Look at the view from my sleeping bag.
No phone.
No tv.
No internet.
Just us under the stars marveling at God's amazing creation.
Maybe we will just sell our house and live in a tent forever.
It sure was an amazing week.
I can honestly say that I am a camper again.
As long as the rain stays away.
Posted in family, vacation