Camping

Lots to say about our camping trip to Cougar Flats.  But, most importantly, it was lots of fun.

Went primarily with Ethan's friends, Ike and Carter, and their families.

Karri and I were up late on Thursday packing and preparing, then early Friday to load the car.  Also, I was up late on Tuesday making spaghetti sauce.

Started with overcast Seattle skies and a light drizzle (also a little worry that we would bespending two nights with weather in the low 60's - high 50's.  Fortunately at about Greenwater the skies turned to blue.  Of course, we followed Google directions and started climbing up the side of a mountain on Forest road 70.  Big mistake since the orad ended and did not connect with 410 (we tried to cut off two sides of a triangle.  After our hour delay, we still managed to be the first to the camp site.  Pitched the tent and got set up.  Beautiful location by a river with a good wading spot and lots of logs to cross.

Friday was hot dogs and smores.  Perfect camping food.

Saturday we did a great hike through a cave.  Only about two miles roundtrip, so not too far for little legs, but an opportunity to wear headlamps.  Ethan was a little nervous on reaching the cave entrance but about half way through he decided it was cool and fun.

Willa was a big girl and hiked the whole way, much of it holding hands with Ike and Ethan.  Also hopping by the edge of the trail, which scared the dickens out of her mom.

Back at camp more wading, rock throwing, bug hunting, and fun.  That is until I lost my sunglasses in the water while foolishly jumping in with them on (Karri and I need to work on our hand signals (but not her fault - all mine)).

When we tried to get Willa changed into pants and a clean shirt, a mini fit ensued, but before it got out of hand she fell asleep in my arms - too cute.  ALthough a little grumpy on waking up.

Saturday evening was a big pasta feed (three or four pasta choices, three sauces, garlic bread, salad) and more smores.  I think Ike's parents had never eaten smores before - I was surprised that was possible.  Willa loves smores.

Ethan and Willa were super brave the whole time - walking across logs without a second thought - while my legs wobbled and I was super nervous that they would end up in the river (so walked close behind or holding their hands).  Ethan even ended up on a log in the middle of the river, just enjoying being a big boy.

Willa made a big girl friend and at one point ended up in our car watching Toy Story with her new friend.

Willa rolled out her new phrase "no stank you!" for the trip.  Super cute when she says it.

John and Linda even drove up on Sunday to spend a little time with us before we headed back to the drizzle of Seattle (it was sunny when we drove up, but just as it started raining when I was loading, it started raining while I unloaded).

All in all a really fun weekend.

Camping with Grandma

This past weekend we went camping with Grandma Linda (Friday-Monday). All-in-all, a good time.

Highlights included:

• Willa and Karri slept all three nights together on the high bed;
• Ethan and Michael slept one night in the tent together, one night Ethan was in the camper and Michael was in the tent, and one night together on the low bed in the camper;
• First time wwe got to use our tent that we bought about 2 1/2 years ago - very happy with it - big enough for 4, no problems;
• S'mores - Willa and Ethan both loved them;
• Grandma Linda got Ethan and Willa toy bows and arrows (Ethan had been eyeing one in his toy catalog for weeks (and wanted to use his yard sale money to buy it and was wondering why it wasn't at our house yet)). Ethan played with his pretty much every day;
• Playing in Stafford Creek (refreshing when the temperature was over 90);
• Eating wild huckleberries (of course Ethan said we couldn't use that word so we called them small, round fruits); and
• Reading all of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret"; and
• Using "special" camping gear like backpacks (pink for Willa and blue for Ethan) and headlamps.

Of course hiking itself was not so successful. I think we made it about 50 yards when Willa wanted Karri to carry her. Negotiation - walk for 5 minutes, then Mommy will carry you for 5 minutes - was not so successful and shrieks of "carry me" or "pick me up" could be heard in parts of Oregon and Idaho. After about a half-mile of Karri walking and Willa screaming and following, Willa decided she had had enough and lay on the ground and threw a fit. After 15 minutes of fit throwing (while Karri and Linda picked huckleberries close by), Willa picked herself up, dusted herself off, and "like a big girl" walked back to the trailhead. During this time, Ethan had decided he had had enough and wanted to hold my hand and walk back to the trailhead, so we did but we made a number of mini-adventures to look at butterfly's, creeks, or berry patches.

Daphne enjoyed camping, especially all of the extra food (including half a package of beef jerky). She is becoming a bit naughty in her old age. Of course, she loved rolling in the dirt. And, it is always interesting how much less wildlife you see when Daphne is around.

On the plus-side, unlike last year, I did not have to get up at 5 in the morning and stroll Willa up the road for an hour or so to help her chill out.