Camping Weekend

This past weekend we went camping with our home group from church. Every time I go camping I feel like I nearly faint with exhaustion before we get there. And somewhere during the planning/packing process I question whether all the effort is actually worth it. I mean, not only does a mama have to pack for herself, but pack for a little one(s) and coordinate all the food/supplies. It can feel like a nightmare. The good news is that once we arrive it is always great - and well worth the effort. Thank goodness.

I always appreciate my mom even more after going camping. She did it with four kids all the time. And would make fabulous food. I think she should win some kind of award, like the camping mom of the year distinction. I'm certainly years away from reaching her status.

As always, our time together as a group was wonderful. The weather was perfect. The lake (minus the crazy population of flies) lovely. The company wonderful. Here was our time together, in pictures...

Fun at the beach

The Randall boys

Joel and Hollyn (love this one)

The Claranator

The squirt gun appeal

Amy & Miss Hollyn

My husband runs on water

I think he may have caught this one?

Joel may not have, but it was a great sprawl nonetheless

Hanging out around the camp site

Norah and Clara girl (I love watching their little relationship)

Kelly and Hollyn, so photogenic

Mel and Miss Hollyn (yes, everyone loved holding Hollyn)

Loving the tire swing at the playground

The boys and their frisbee golf battle

S'mores, of course. Yum!

Time around the campfire: always the highlight

Amy, Kelsey & I, enjoying the silence of the evening while the kiddos slept

And of course a little guitar