Last week we went on our very first camping trip as a family of three! We spent a full week up in the Sequoia National Forest at Hume Lake Campground in our "new" tent trailer that we acquired off of Craigslist a few weeks ago. It was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had together. I had fun recalling memories from when I worked there 16 years ago. It was one of those experiences that I would want to do all over again. It is so beautiful and so peaceful there and yet there is also much to do!
We took lots of pretty walks around the lake...
We went fishing and caught rainbow trout to cook up for dinner...
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| Even Mama got some fishing action and caught a fish! |
We took Lena on her first bike ride around the Christian campground and also around the lake...
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| Lena LOVED the bike rides. She would yell "Weeeee Weeee" every time we would pick up speed. |
We cooked yummy camping food and did the dishes in our trailer...
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| Dad teaching Lena how to properly eat ramen noodles. |
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| "Mountain Man Breakfast Skillet": hashbrowns, eggs, cheese, sausage, and bacon |
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| First time Lena and I got to experience Jiffy Pop! |
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| Pancakes! |
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| We brought along some of Lena's favorites like strawberry Greek yogurt. |
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| Mama doing KP! |
We played games and cards and read lots of books and even watched a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...
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| Mom and Dad played Monopoly cards (Dad dominated) and Lena played Mickey counting cards. |
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| Play time with Daddy |
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| How we kept her clean after her afternoon shower. |
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| A little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Mom and Dad make dinner. |
We took our kayak out on the lake for fun boat rides and fishing...
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| This fish was too little...had to thrown him back. |
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| Yes we own a huge purple kayak! |
We walked to the Christian Camp to watch recreation, get snacks, and play in the sand...
We got very dirty... and then very clean...
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| This drove me nuts! But hey, she loved it. |
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| The toddler camping shower. |
We swam in the lake and played on the beaches...
We relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation...
We had an AMAZING time and were sad to leave but happy we got to go. Thank you Jesus for making such beautiful places for us to enjoy.
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| All packed up and ready to head home. |
Side note: Contrary to popular opinion camping with a toddler is not crazy nor impossible. Kids LOVE to be outside, get dirty, explore, and enjoy nature. Lena loved it! Notice though we did use some modern conveniences: perimeter gate, tons of baby wipes, a bag of favorite toys, a portable DVD player to give us an occasional quiet break, a few lollipops and other favorite snacks, and we kept regular nap time every afternoon.
4 comments:
Looks like an amazing time!!!! So glad you all were able to go and it went so well:) I've thought about taking my kiddos camping because growing up many of our family vacations were camping, however hubby isn't the camping type :(
Oh this brings back soooo many memories of us camping when the older set was little. I remember 5 gallon bucket baths! Great memories! YOu look fantastic BTW!
I loved this post. We have been camping with our kids since they were born. Our son's first trip was at 8 weeks!!! We had a tent trailer but upgraded to a Toy hauler before he was born....we are so fortunate to own our own camp space in the Tahoe National Forest. We have 10+ acres pretty much away from everyone. We camp all summer long. Our kids are now 5 and 2 1/2 and they are experts at fishing, hiking, playing in the dirt and just loving all that nature has to offer them. So glad you are doing this with Lena and hopefully baby number 2 as well.
kd
What a beautiful place! Kaylee would love to do something like that. I love the toddler shower picture!! Glad ya'll had a great time!
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