Camping Memorial Day 2014

This camping trip is going down in history as our most successful camping trip yet as a family! I had one of the most simplest pleasures being with my family this weekend. We decided to go kind of last minute. I asked the Sister Missionaries to take care of Sharing Time for me and we took off to West Virginia Jennings Randolph Lake Campground. It was perfect! Of course, there was the unavoidable chaos the morning of departure, but once we were out and especially once camp was set up, all stress was worth it! We had a terrific time and we were so glad that Nicolette and her family were able to join us for Saturday and Sunday. Nicolette broke the big 30 on Saturday and so we prepared a little party for her. I made a cake, that was much prettier in my mind (and much tastier in my mind too), and we made ice cream there at the campground. We had some pretty delicious sundays and relaxed around the fire after all the kids were tucked away. Sunday morning the men took the kids on a little hike while Nic and I cleaned up breakfast and packed up lunch. We went and had a picnic at the playground, played some soccer and frisbee and a little catch with the football. Nic and I took the kids down the trail to the beach and the guys drove the cars down there. We stopped in for a little wading of the feet, and ended up swimming a little more than anticipated, but it was just so beautiful and fun! Nic and Ryan left after we returned to camp and that night we had some delicious kabobs and camp cones and slept MUCH better than our first night (where we were all freezing!). We all crammed onto one queen mattress and put Faith in the pack-n-play inside the tent. We went swimming again for a little bit on Monday before we headed home. Stopped in Winchester for some pizza and then cruised on back home, arriving very late Monday night. It was a refreshing and uplifting trip that was much needed! There is just something so fulfilling about watching my children play in the outdoors at our campsite, just us and them and very few distractions. Their excitement and pure joy is food for the soul.