Camping Memorial Day Weekend

We were privileged to have our own private camping spot this year, courtesy of our friends Gary and Mary Jennings. They have property on the Skagit River, and they generously allowed us to spend our weekend there, even tho they couldn't come along. We went camping with my (Judy's) siblings and their families.

Randy and I stopped at the bank on the way down to the river, and we all got suckers from the teller. Abby fell asleep while sucking on her sucker! See the stick hanging out of her mouth? Isn't that so sweet? Her dentist won't be happy! She had sticky drool all over her shirt...

Abby, Kent and Luke quickly found a perfect sandbox, and spent a lot of time there over the weekend. It was great because it kept them occupied safely, and it was in an area where we could keep an eye on them. Keeping Abby (and later Abby and Emily) out of the river was a constant focus over the weekend.

We had our own church service by the river with Pastor Randy on Sunday morning. After church, we walked down the road and headed to a public access place where we can actually get down to river level. Randy and I had forgotten to bring along either Abby's stroller or our backpack, so we were all on foot. It was slow going, and was going to be a VERY long walk for Abby, but she was having fun pulling her cart with her sand toys.

THANKFULLY, Paul and Sharon and Emily came along at just the right time! We had gone down on Saturday with Laura and the boys, and Kevin joined us later that night. Paul and Sharon had commitments at their church on Sunday morning, so they couldn't come down til Sunday afternoon. They came driving down the road as we were walking to the river. They HAD brought their backpack AND their stroller, and the backpack was on top of their luggage, so they pulled it out and let us use it to carry Abby.

We started out with just our feet in the water...

And then Kent and Luke found a "most fantastic warm water pond"!!! They were having so much fun over there, so Abby and I went to check it out for ourselves. Abby was more than thrilled to join them in their mudbath!

As side entertainment, the boys decided to stage a war-time shooting game. Grant, being the mature 14-year old that he is, decided it was smartest to stay clean and dry, so he was the self-designated sharp-shooter. Kent and Luke would come out of their water hole and run at Grant as they tried to overcome the shooter. Grant would, of course, shoot them "dead", and Kent and Luke would fall down onto the sand and get covered with sand. Then they'd go wash off in the mud hole again. What fun (if you're a boy)!

Paul, Sharon and Emily joined us down at the river after they set up their tent.

After spending a couple hours down by the river, we got the kids all cleaned up and headed back to our campsite. Gary and Mary were there when we got back. They had decided to make a surprise visit!

Abby's clothes drying in the sun...

Here are some random camping pictures:

Abby wouldn't settle down in the tent until we all were in bed, so she cozied in a camp chair until after 10pm.

The boys brought their fishing gear. It didn't take long for Abby to find the fishing pole!

Abby was fascinated with Kent's burning stick

Quiet times by the river...

Too bad this picture is so small for you who are reading this blog. Abby's expression as she watches Grant and Luke play Blokus is priceless!

Who's under that cap, Abby? (It's Grant)

This was our most enjoyable camping experience so far. The weather was gorgeous the whole time, and it was nice to spend two days there. It made the effort of packing and setting up more worthwhile. Thanks again, Gary and Mary, for letting us spend our weekend here!