Family Camping

After spending what felt like hours trying to fit everything in like a jigsaw puzzle, we are finally ready to go. For a roughing it and minimalist hobby we sure bring a lot of stuff. 

Sweet Kayla is buried in the very back.  See her little hand sticking out.  

Our 2 night camping trip turned into a one nighter due to rain.  We had been watching the weather and knew we were going to get a lot of rain but in true Daniel fashion we decided to just go for it. (I am learning to be a little bit more like him this area).  We packed ponchos, umbrellas, extra clothes, rain boots, raincoats. We were ready!  As we headed into the mountains the skies looked fine.  When we checked in and told the lady we were there to tent camp her jaw dropped like we were crazy people.  She said the day before they got 2 inches of hail and it shredded their camper overhang.  Again, we were optimistic. As soon as we pulled up to our camping spot the skies opened up and it started POURING and then of course the hail came.  We sat in the car weighing all our options.  Finally, the rain cleared and we decided that we would at least get out and enjoy some fresh mountain air and at least stay for dinner.  Kids were bummed, we were bummed but we decided to make the best of it.  The weather the rest of the afternoon and evening was beautiful.  We decided we would set up camp and at least try it for one night.  Worst case scenario would be that tent gets shredded in the night and in that case we would take cover in the car and have a story to tell later.  All the kids were on board for the adventure.  We had beautiful weather all evening.  Right around bedtime it started to sprinkle so we packed up for the night and headed to the tent.  Then it started to pour and I mean pour.  Then the hail.  It was so loud and a lot of fun to experience in a tent.  Levi on the other hand didn't think so at the time.  He was scarred which is uncharacteristic of him.  While he was getting his pj's on he stopped midway through, bowed his head and closed his eyes.  I asked what he was doing and he said, "Praying."  We all made it through the night just fine and most importantly we stayed dry!  In the morning Levi said proudly, "We risked it!" 

The morning and early afternoon weather held up well.  We were able to hang out for a bit and then get in a hike.  More extreme weather was suppose to roll in early that day and stay longer so we decided to head out and not risk another night.  

Waiting out the rain in the car when we first arrived.

As soon as we got set up the kids immediately started whittling sticks.  

Keeper of the fire.  

My crew!  So blessed!

Stories by the fire.  We tell the same ones but they never get old.

I LOVE watching them walk around together with the bows arrows.  They are all such outdoorsy kids. 

Family hike before the rain.

Venturing off the path with me to check out a stream. 

All packed up to head home.  Kayla is such a trooper!  Side note, we had to pull over on the way home because both boys got car sick.  

 

Glad we left when we did!

So, it didn't go how we planned but we made the best of it and it was a lot better than what we thought it was going to be when we first arrived.  Tons of fun, lots of rain, and so many memories made!  I wouldn't have changed a thing.  

2023 Family Vacation

At the end of May we took a little family vacation and had an absolute blast! It was so much fun, laid back, so fun to connect as a family, and the kids did amazing (most of the time).  We really could not have asked for a better time.  

We headed to Durango for 2 nights and then on the way back we met Andrew and Anna's family and Nate and Sara's at the Sand Dunes and spent 2 days and one night there.  

We decided to take our time driving to Durango and took the longer route to stop and see the sights.  If you know us you know that is not like us but I am so glad we did.

First stop...The Royal Gorge Bridge

The bridge was lined with all the state flags so we took this for our California family.  

Driving through Gunnison.  So pretty!

Next stop...Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  This park was AMAZING!  Pictures don't do it justice.  There are flatlands of prairies and then it literally drops off into canyons.  Levi said, "That's why you should always look down when you're hiking."  

Finally....Durango!  

Eating some delicious BBQ by the river and watching the rafters go by. 

Everyone waiting on this tired girl to wake up so we can eat breakfast. 

The next day we headed to The Mesa Verde National Park.  We studied Early American History this year so naturally I was super excited to visit the Cliff Dwellings.  

After The Mesa Verde we headed up to The Four Corners.  Honestly, Daniel and I were just doing this to check it off the list.  Mesa Verde is about 40 minutes from Durango and then The Four Corners is another 40 minutes and then 1.5 hours back after we had already spent the previous day in the car just didn't sound that fun and we didn't think the kids would be too happy about being in the car either.  However, I am so glad we went because all the kids said that The Four Corners was their favorite part!  Something about being in 4 different states at once was so fascinating to them.  

After a day spent at The Mesa Verde, The Four Corners, dinner and swimming we all scrunched together on the couch to watch an episode of our family show, Lost in Space and eat ice cream...at 9pm at night.  

He said, "Do I look comfortable or what?!"

Finally, our last stop....the Sand Dunes.

Day 1 was spent hiking Zapata Falls. 

The boys were so encouraging and amazing helping their younger cousins cross the stream.  We have been doing this together for the last 3 years and it has been fun seeing the younger kiddos get braver and braver in their adventures each year.  

On the way to dinner we stopped in a random toy/tool shop and they had an RC race track where you could rent RC cars to race around.  Of course we had to do that.

He took a little family vacation last week and had SO MUCH FUN!  It was so fun and relzing  It couldnt have been better.

We headed to SDurango and stayed 2 nights there and thn on the way back we met Andrew and Anna's family at the Sand Dunes and spent 2 days and one night there.  

We decided to take our time driving to Durango and took the longer route to stop and see the sights.  If you know us you know that is not like us but I am so glad. 

Watching the Nuggets while the kids swim. 

Kids these days, LOL!  Evie called the phones the phone station and when Kayla wanted to call the boys she just pushed the numbers on the phone and waited...didn't even pick up the receiver.  

Day 2 was spent at the Sand Dunes.  

Love that the kids are all old enough to help carry ALL our stuff. 

We got cuaght in some pretty good rain.  SO thankful we had to large sport umbrellas to huddle under while we waited for the rain to pass.  

The rain pretty much cleared the whole place out.  

4 straight days of playing hard had her wiped out! 

So many fun family memories made.  What a perfect way to kick off summer!