Over the weekend, we headed north for some cooler weather and went camping. We brought along the Keeling family and had a most relaxing time.
Taylor was in his element camping. As soon as we parked, Taylor was anxious to hone his boy scout skills and got a fire started all on his own - without any matches. He and Austin spent the majority of their time building forts, exploring, testing out their sneaking skills in their camouflaged gear and ghillie hat, and just plain gettin' dirty. Taylor brought along his scout book and tried out a few knots and even built a ladder.
One of the highlights for the boys was when Steve stumbled across an elk that had been shot with an arrow. We all went to peek at the poor animal and found the hunters that had been searching for it for over 24 hours. The boys got to stick around to watch the hunters as they took the antlers (?... I'm a city girl - is this what they're called?). (The hunters made a point to tell us how unusual it was to go that long without finding the animal, and how disappointed they were that the meat was no longer good.) So, the excitement of the day was to see elk brains (sorry to those of you with weaker stomachs).
Paige and Amber went about their camping experience a bit more girly - playing games, exploring, coloring, making trips to the bathroom outhouse together, and even showering. All the kids slept in the kids clubhouse (tent) while we snoozed in relative comfort in the trailer. They got to crash the boys fishing trip, even catching a couple. Being the last one without a catch, Paige got real "lucky" when Daddy asked her to hold his fishing pole while he "got a quick drink" and almost immediately she got a bite! *wink* The mommies stayed behind and napped with our babies (mine - Gabriel, Sommer's - their muzzle clad doggie, Sadie).
Gabriel had a great time, too. He's still not comfortable with uneven terrain, which kept him close almost always. He went about the forest blowing a whistle, so as long as we could hear the whistle, it was a good sign that he was nearby. The campsite has a paved road running through it that he loved to run down, giving no thought to oncoming cars. I made a couple exhausting mad-dashes. I love this picture of Gabriel, because it shows his REAL smile - not the "say cheese" smile I so often get. Even while he was whistling away in the forest, as soon as he saw the camera, he would intermittently whistle and say 'cheese'.
6 comments:
Sounds like everyone had a great time. I can't believe they came across an elk like that. Way to to get that fish, Paige. (wink) Gabriel looks like he had a good time. Good pics.
Looks like a great time! How fun.
Way to go Taylor on starting the fire. He needs to come show our scout troop how it's done. ;-)
so did you teach gabriel to blow the whistle so you could find him or was that just a lucky coincidence? i love the not cheese smile.
Hey Rachel that is cool, Did you guys get to hear the elk bugle? That is so awesome every year I look forward to them bugling. Your kids would probably think that was awesome. Looks like you had fun!
Elk brains, oh my, that's a camping memory we don't get out here ;)
kim- your campers are too busy with loofas to build a fire!
faith - no we didn't teach gabriel to blow the whistle. anything that makes noise he learns all on his own!
sandra - we did hear them bugle. but, much of the time we weren't sure if it was really the elk or the hunters call. and i was surprised how high pitched it was - totally unexpected.
julia - you are so missing out! i'm sure you'd trade in one of your disney campouts for elk brain in a second! :)
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