Family Camp Out

Over this last weekend was the annual family/friends camp out.  It was a bit smaller this year than in years past with only about 30 people in attendance for the potluck that is on the Saturday of the camp out weekend.  A few years ago there were over 70 people at the potluck.  We headed up to Paradise Creek campground in the Gifford Pinchot National forest on Wednesday evening after Gage got off of work.  I was off that day so had everything as ready as I could by the time he got home.  Most everyone else in our group arrived Thursday evening with most everyone staying through Sunday.

Ryan had been looking forward to this trip for weeks, and possibly months (that boy LOVES to camp).  I believe the trip exceeded his expectations.  He played with friends, waded in the creek (called himself a "river-walker"), went for hikes, played in the dirt, and even roasted marshmallows.  I think I was most impressed by his maturity and growing self-confidence when he was wading in the creek.  This is not just any creek, this is mountain snow run-off... so it is always cold, despite the 80+ degree weather.  Ryan was a bit nervous at first, but was soon walking across all by himself (mind you... we're talking knee deep at its deepest, generally speaking ankle deep...and its not fast running  at all this time of year where we were at).  Even when he fell, and his lungs gasped short, sharp breaths due to the extreme chill of the water, he got up, brushed himself off, and continued on... often times even laughing!  I believe the time he spent as a "river-walker" were some of his favorite moments of the weekend (ok, that and Grandma K's cake!!).

Evan did pretty well about half the time.  He enjoyed traipsing through the woods, playing in the dirt with the toys we brought, hitting small plants with sticks... and definitely enjoyed being outside.  Unfortunately he was also experiencing the discomfort that comes along with a molar trying to break through.  Combine that with the fact he is just at a difficult age for camping and there were some not so pleasant times.  So his trip, and in turn my trip, was not as enjoyable as it could have been.  

I'd like to say I had a great time (as that has always been my response in the past), but due to the times Evan was having a hard time, I can say with all honesty that I had a good time with several great moments.  I also got some nice pictures... check them out in the Hymas Photos section.