The Great Outdoors in the Camper

Dear Lily, I know you aren't old enough to remember your first camping trip but one day you will be old enough to read and look at what I remembered for you.

I want to start by explaining how your mommy and daddy used to go camping growing up and how much fun we always had, which is why we were so excited to take you camping already.

We loaded up, worked on broken down bikes, went on an HEB shopping spree and headed to the lake.



Here is a look at the inside of the camper.  We all slept on the bed in the top, left picture-the bedding was being washed while this picture was taken.  We had lots of covers.  Our camper is older but in good shape considering its age.  We may one day fix it up or we may just leave it as is and spend more time camping...

The first night we spent some time working out the kinks-oh, and seeing if the fish were biting.  After daddy got the heater blowing hot air, we decided to test the smoke alarm to discover it did not have batteries.  We racked our brains trying to think of something to steal batteries from and first used some from daddy's camera.  The alarm beeped so we thought his batteries may be almost dead.  So next, after figuring out a way to get off the back without a screw driver, we borrowed some from one of your toys.  The alarm still beeped so daddy was going to drive into town to get a new one but his truck was acting up.  So we called Grandma and Grandpa.

After you took a little nap, they brought us a new alarm so we could all sleep safely and soundly.  Aunt Johnnie and Uncle Heather were with them and they got to see you crawl (and whine) for the first time since they had just returned from their trip and had not seen you in a while.

After an ok night of sleep, we woke, you played, Daddy did his favorite part of camping-made breakfast outside, and Mommy started to learn the oven, which cooked things a tad unevenly during that first attempt.

Next, we did what you love most and that was stroll and be outside.

As always, I loved watching you explore and learn.

And as always, you loved the great outdoors!

We strolled some more while Daddy tested the waters.

A little chilly but really a beautiful February day.

After a nap with Daddy,

We gathered some firewood,

And played with Daddy.

Precious baby

Precious moments with your Daddy.

After playing in the rocks and dirt,

We went down to the water,

And you played in the big rocks while Daddy fished.

Back up the hill, we decided to test out the seat and bikes Daddy worked so hard on.

You inspected it and concluded that it was somewhat like a car seat but had the potential to be fun.

And off we went.

Quiet at first, taking it all in, but soon you were talking and having a good time.

"Why are we stopping?"

And when you discovered that Daddy was in front of you, you pulled and played with his shirt.

Back at the campsite, you played under your picnic table fort and especially loved the bag that our lawn chair came in.

That evening, your aunt and uncle came to have dinner and brought you a gift from their trip.

A little later, grandma and grandpa came.  We sat by the fire for just a few minutes before you decided it was time to call it a night.  You rested on the bed by Mommy and listened to me talk to your aunt and grandma before nodding off to sleep.

Sleep was little more interrupted than the night before but we were still rested enough to go strolling when we woke.

One more bike ride.

And a little nap.

We played in the truck while Daddy did a little more fishing-it was windy.

We had lunch and packed up to go home-almost did not make it.  Good thing your Daddy knows about engines.  After a few bangs with a hammer, we made it to the part store, left the truck running, picked up Daisy from Grandma and Grandpa's with the truck running (yes, she was not happy to be left behind but will be joining us next time), and made it to our house where Daddy fixed the truck so we'd be ready for our next trip.

Your first family vacation camping trip was a success.  We can't wait for the years of camping we dream of to come.

Love, Mommy

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo