OK...so once again I've fallen behind on my posting
(Didn't Labor Day seem like just yesterday?)
We had our second annual Labor Day weekend camp out with some friends from our ward...
I remembered this year to take a picture as we were leaving...everyone was all smiles but I couldn't get the lighting right...
After about 10 more tries, I finally gave up trying for the perfect shot. Jake's facial expression speaks volumes...
The weather was perfect!
After we got there, we all went over to the boulder field to hike around...
We booked the same camp site that we had last year at Hickory Run State Park...
Here's a good shot of our new tent! No more ghetto camping for us!
We divided up food assignments and our family was responsible for the menu on Saturday night.
I found this recipe for dutch oven cheesy chicken and potatoes...
Cooking on the dutch oven SEEMED like a good idea at the time...
The only problem was that it took FOREVER to cook...
We finally ended up having to transfer the food into pans and cook it on the camp stove...
Here's a good shot of our new tent! No more ghetto camping for us!
We definitely moved on up to the east side on this one!
The kids had such a good time playing together...
The kids had such a good time playing together...
Believe it or not, other than the packing aspect of things, this weekend ends up being a nice break for the adults because the kids just kind of go off and do their own thing for a big chunk of the time...
There were lots of chats...
Good food...(I forgot to post a picture of the meal we had on Sunday night which was tortillas stuffed with marinated pork, cheese and a fresh salsa --courtesy of Leisha)
This is my favorite part of camping!
Fresh, hot donuts made from biscuit dough = Heaven!
The kids all got together to play mafia...
The "non-mafia" players...
Here we are the next morning...Me, Ellie and Karen (who looked like she was up drinking whisky all night!) That doll is one hot mess!
This was our view from the campsite...
We held a Sunday "Family Home Evening" of sorts...
I remained in these pajamas until about 1:30pm...(what the?!)
Later that afternoon, we all went down to the lake...
We didn't take our towels or a change of clothes because it started off being chilly...
Cracking up...
Lilly, my favorite little person...
Why did I think that bringing a huge king size cotton duvet was going to keep me warm? 
There were lots of chats...
Good food...(I forgot to post a picture of the meal we had on Sunday night which was tortillas stuffed with marinated pork, cheese and a fresh salsa --courtesy of Leisha)
This is my favorite part of camping!
Fresh, hot donuts made from biscuit dough = Heaven!
The kids all got together to play mafia...
The "non-mafia" players...
Here we are the next morning...Me, Ellie and Karen (who looked like she was up drinking whisky all night!) That doll is one hot mess!
This was our view from the campsite...
We held a Sunday "Family Home Evening" of sorts...
The teenagers were put in charge of the talks and music...
I remained in these pajamas until about 1:30pm...(what the?!)
Later that afternoon, we all went down to the lake...
We didn't take our towels or a change of clothes because it started off being chilly...Jake did not heed our advice to not get in the water. He promised that he would just air dry.
Here he is begging for a towel. Brian (AKA..."Mr. Softie") went back to the campsite to get him some dry clothes and a towel. That'll teach Jake not to listen to us, right?!
( I could really say more here, but I won't.)
Cracking up...
Lilly, my favorite little person...
Why did I think that bringing a huge king size cotton duvet was going to keep me warm?
It felt like I was sleeping under a sheet of ice!
I looked at the car thermostat after I got up and it registered at 43 degrees...
Burrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Next year, it's going to be one big fleece fest!
Looks like so much fun. I love camping! Seeing the pictures is almost like being there. Here is a helpful hint for dutch oven cooking, always use the camp stove with your dutch oven. No mess. No charcoal. Fast cooking.
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE CAMPING!! Let's gab sometime about dutch oven cooking... Brenden and I used to go camping all the time (in our previous life in Utah) and he's a dutch oven expert!
ReplyDeleteSo glad everyone had fun!!
looks like a great time! ...oh, that karen.....
ReplyDeleteand hey, what's with this Lilly being your favorite? you really should spend some time with Lucy and you will change your mind. :) she is cute though! glad you had fun!
good times were had by all!!!! :o) looks like a neat group of friends- it's great that the kids all got along. those are life-time memories.
ReplyDeleteI love camping - havent had a chance to do it since josie was born - we want to try it soon though. everyone looks like they had lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a seriously huge group of people to go camping with! This looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteDutch oven cooking is always torturous because I'm so hungry, but it takes 3x longer than expected to cook.
Wow Shannon, that was quite an undertaking. It definitely looked like fun, but without a plug for my blow dryer I think I'll just live vicariously through your blog. Hee Hee. And donuts too! Awesome. So what is Mafia? How do you play it? And is anyone killed in the process?
ReplyDeleteToo Funny.
The doughnut looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI've never done dutch oven cooking. I've only tasted it. It TASTES good. :)
these are the best photos! you did a great job documenting what looks like a super fun trip. it ALMOST makes me want to go camping too. i would definitely go if your family was going to be there though - those potatoes and donuts would seal the deal for me. :)
ReplyDelete