Camp Out

This weekend we had our first family camp out of the season. It was extra fun because we went with our good friends The Bell family; Shimber, Jeff and their two sweet girls. We camped at Cascade Lake in the Boise National Forest. It was a beautiful two hour drive up the canyon. We had traditional "ronie wiest" and smores. Jeff and Shimber introduced us to a fun new campfire treat. They wrap breadstick dough around a wooden dowel and cook it over the fire. Then you fill the hollow center with honey butter. It is really yummy. You just have to make sure the end is sealed really tight so your honey butter doesn't leak out.

It had been 11 years since I had been in a real pine tree forest, and I had forgotten how beautiful it is. I had also forgotten how bone-chilling, freezing camping in Idaho can be. For the past 10 years we have been camping in Texas where you sleep in your bare skivvies on top of your sleeping bag. If you were really lucky, your camp site would have electric hookup and you could rig an extension cord to a box fan to circulate some air through your tent. We were a little unprepared for mountain camping. This weekend it got down to the low 30's overnight! The Bells saved the day by loaning us 3 extra sleeping bags and we made it through the night in relative comfort.

We had fun cooking a big old breakfast and taking a nice family bike ride. The kids didn't have much luck catching tadpoles in the lake, but Landen did dive off the dock fully clothed. Thank heavens for life jackets, I made him paddle himself back to the dock and didn't have to do a heroic save in the freezing water. We intended to drive a short way to let the kids do some fishing, but within 5 minutes of driving, 4 of the six total kids were sound asleep. We figured we had worn them out enough for one trip. Good times, good memories. I regret only that we had so much fun I forgot to snap even one picture. My camera sat on the seat of the van the whole trip.

still on my mind

I have been back from my trip to England for three weeks now. Memories of the trip, things I learned and ideas I was inspired with still pop into my mind all day long. It was my first overseas trip and I am sure it will influence me forever. I didn't realize that traveling to a new place would affect me in so many ways.

Our Sisterly Adventure had five key characters, Julie, Katri, Rochelle, Katrina and baby Knightley. Three action packed days in London were informative and exciting. Four days exploring the English countryside were enchanting. The company was delightful, the mansions stunning, the people charming, the food fair, the baby adorable; all together a rare and gratifying experience. It was easy to feel ourselves, "completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy."