Well, the much anticipated 5 night camping trip has come and gone and I am still here to tell about it :) The kids have been excited about this for months. So last week we began to pack up to leave for Cove Palisades State Park. Unfortunately on Saturday Eric threw out his back so there was a little bit of a concern that we may not make it, but at the last minute we pulled it together and were able to go. We were accompanied by or good friends and partners in crime the Salter family. So between us there were 7 kids (Noah is the only boy till Micah comes along) and 4 adults. We are quite the "herd" but we are a good "herd" and always have a fantastic time! This year it was quite a bit warmer then we expected. One of the days it was over 100! But, each day when it became too hot we just went down to the lake and floated for a couple of hours. All the kids just loved to play in the water. Other then that there were plenty of boulders to climb, Dirt to scoop up, bikes to ride and lizards to catch. I think there was only one time that I had to crack open the craft box to keep the kids busy. They did a great job finding things to do! The kids also played so hard that they slept great at night! Here are a few photos of our fun.
Our Home away from home
There was lots of dirt... And Julia likes dirt, she can play in it for HOURS!
Julia and
Layelle played together in the dirt so well. They were adorable!
There were also lots of rocks. Over the course of the week there were many different "clubs" and hideouts.
Apparently Reyna did not want her photo taken. But with a face like that it is quite necessary to share :)
All ready to swim!
Both Noah and Reyna were perfectly content to float around for hours.
Julia loved floating in her little boat!
Julia was cold!
Best Buds!
My two handsome men.
All of us
Stifflers
Swimming wore the little ones out. This is one of the two short naps that Julia got over the week.
Layelle looks like she means business.
When the temp is over 100 this very well may be the ONLY way to pass the time.
Julia loved playing on the Scooter
New and interesting ways to get around :)
While we were there we got to celebrate Eric's 30
th birthday!
Are we hugging or wrestling???
At the playground
Well that pretty much sums up our trip. A whole lot of hanging out! Now we are back to "real" life getting prepared for Noah and Reyna to start school in about 2 weeks and then little Micah's arrival in just under 3 months!
There was lots of dirt... And Julia likes dirt, she can play in it for HOURS!
Julia and Layelle played together in the dirt so well. They were adorable!
Apparently Reyna did not want her photo taken. But with a face like that it is quite necessary to share :)
All ready to swim!
Both Noah and Reyna were perfectly content to float around for hours. 
Julia loved floating in her little boat!
Best Buds!
My two handsome men.
All of us Stifflers
Layelle looks like she means business.
When the temp is over 100 this very well may be the ONLY way to pass the time.
Julia loved playing on the Scooter
New and interesting ways to get around :)
