Camping Fools

Camping was a total success! We left later than we wanted to and after a few times around the campsite in the dark found our campsite finally. We settled in for the night wondering what that dark space was beyond the trees and woke up to the most amazing crystal clear lake I've ever seen literally right in our campsite!! We were so lucky with our location. The kids got dirty and had a blast playing in the water and in the sand. Andy and I had fun relaxing. We couldn't believe it but we realized this was our first camping trip alone - ever! We normally go with large groups and while that's always a blast it was nice to just be us four and do it that way too. We came home with a list of goodies that we'd like to add to our gear collection. We also came home with some major bug bites. The kids played so hard they passed out around 6pm. We were worried they were going to wake up at 2am ready to play. But they didn't and we enjoyed a nice night to ourselves which was pretty great if you ask me! Yesterday we took the kids up Mt St Helens on the way home. Ava wondered if that "bolcano" exploded with bouncy balls like the one on Dora. She was totally enthralled with the little sit down tour guide giving a demonstration. She kept hushing Mason the whole time so she could listen. It was really cute. Can't wait to go back!!

Here we were!

This is what we woke up to Saturday morning

It was gorgeous

Mason liked this spot a lot

We had fun watching all the people on rafts and boats and kicked ourselves for not bringing one of our own!

It was a little chilly the first morning

Happy Camper

Him too!

This was the last picture before my camera died - thank goodness for iPhones!

OK enough with the pictures already!

Our morning hike

Seriously? this is for real? Love it!

Checking out the lake

The flowers were so pretty

He was so excited to hike

10am and 50degrees out - and she's swimming!

He was more reserved with it

And I stayed huddled in my F-Uggs

YAY it warmed up

Getting braver

Cooper loved it

Checking out her floaty

Shivering through lunch

He lived up the getting dirty part of camping!

Seriously the water was so close!

On the way to Mt St Helens

Short Potty Break

Amazing destruction

Whhhheeeee enjoying the windy roads

So crazy that's all the debris

Loved the wildflowers

Ava's view of us :)

Ava and Mt Adams

Checking out the view

My turn!

Cooper was SO worn out

OK - so how can I manage this insanity all while holding a 2-1/2 year old and not fall??!?!

BUT this happens WHILE STANDING UP!!!! I was trying to get Coop to sit while waiting for Andy to use the bathroom and WHAT THE HELL?! I trip over his leash. I think I need to stop visiting mountain tops. I've busted my knees now on Mt Hood and Mt St Helens. I. am. a. dork.

Happy puppy

The kids got silly after all day in the car!