Camping With Friends 2015 Part 1 of 2

No, my vacation posts are not quite over yet, but I'm going to interrupt those to post about our trip to Oklahoma to camp with friends!

This is our third annual Camping With Friends trip, but we've been camping together since around 2006. Since the beginning we've added spouses and a bunch of children, and likely more children to add in years to come!

Our family took the day off on Friday and went down after loading up that morning. We dropped off the camper at the lake on the way by Copan and then on our way through Dewey picked up Grandpa Dan, Casey's dad, to tour the high school addition Casey and I formerly worked for. It looks just amazing and HUGE. And it was huge before the addition. Miss Paula kindly took time out of her day to show us around. I got to see so many old friends for a quick hello and it really did my heart good. We left so many good people back in Bville.

After picking up a few groceries, we dropped Grandpa Dan off in Dewey and drove back out to Copan Lake to set up camp. The Taskers were already there with a tent up and the Rigsbys showed shortly after we arrived. It was so nice setting up camp in the daylight this year! Normally we're pulling in at bed time and everybody is just miserable.

The next morning we enjoyed pancakes, bacon, and eggs hot off the griddle. Yep, the electric griddle. We did over the fire last year and we just couldn't quite regulate the temperature well enough to make our food in a timely or tasty fashion. Especially with small children, we decided some modern conveniences are well worth using while camping.

She is such a happy baby.

She's got that Moore one squinty eye.

Daddy, chief cook.

Princess Ellie, first to be served.

"Can I get a nice smile, boys?"

Awe, thanks Isaiah!

Gabe....what in the world.

Nathalie and those blue eyes. 

And those cheeks.

So cute.

The boys played together so well this year. The older boys spent most of their time bugging an adult to take them to the nearby playground. Sometimes the adults caved and took them. The little boys just played and played and played. It's been fun seeing their friendships grow over time. Casey set up a volleyball/badminton net for them to play with and that entertained them for a while.

They really enjoyed riding their bikes.

Both big boys were off training wheels this year.

Nikki and Nathalie

Renana and Gabby

Me and Ellie

All of us looking CAMP-tastic!

Gabe, Isaiah, Barrett, and Noah

Barrett loves swinging, the higher the better.

They thought this swing was awesome. 

I have a video too of them giggling and giggling.

If I can get it posted to YouTube I'll link it here.

Figuring out teams.

Decided big boys v. little boys wasn't fair.

Truth is none of them could really play.

It's blurry, but there's a giant green bug in his little fingers.

Boys are great.

Bugs are gross.

Barrett turning his racket into a shovel.

The girls are still little and not always happy campers, but there was one point on Saturday afternoon where all three played so happily for a good while in the little tent the Taskers brought. Nathalie spent some quality time in her exersaucer and Gabby toddled everywhere. Our non-walker spent time in her stroller when she wasn't being held.

Ellie, Gabby, and Nathalie.

Order of birth...Ellie, Gabby, Nathalie.

Ten days separate Ellie and Gabby.

Seven months separate Ellie and Gabby from Nathalie.

At least our non-walker was happy to sit in the stroller.

Goofy princess.

That's probably enough photos for one camping post. :) All the rest in the next post!