Summer 2024: Camping

We've camped quite a bit this summer, and I love it! It's always a ton of work to get packed up and out of the house. But once we're there, all the wonderful outside hours and memories are SO worth it! 

Camping with the Smith Cousins! 

We camped a few nights with Harrison and Becca's family and had the best time! A major highlight was watching the cousins play. I love how Lydia and Ginny look up to our big girls and how much fun the big girls have with their younger cousins. Walter and Ellis sure are cute too! 

The other big highlight was seeing two moose! They walked right by our campsite one morning. At one point, they were getting so close we almost went in the car. But then they turned and moved away. It was an experience of a lifetime to see the moose so closely and for so long.

Cox Family Reunion

While Michael was in Colorado, I took the kids down to Freemont to visit Aunt Calla and Nathan for the annual Cox family reunion. This year was extra fun because two of Calla's kids, Erin and Sarah, were there with their families. Grandma and Grandpa along with TJ also made it! While this wasn't roughing-it-camping, we did sleep in our tent in the backyard both nights, so I'm counting it. 

There was a survival challenge course, the beloved dunk tank, and of course the auction. Uncle TJ experimented with making ice cream tacos which was a big hit! 

And one day we snuck off with Grandma and Grandpa for the Torrey Apple Days parade and picking apricots inside Capitol Reef National Park. 

Is there anything more magical than picking fruit in an orchard set in the most beautiful scenery you've ever seen then stumbling upon some horses and sharing some fresh fruit? I don't think so. 

Girls Camp(s)

Eliza was lucky enough to attend multiple girls camps. She first went with the hearing ward. Hazel is serving as the YW class president in that ward right now and loves it. But, she was on her choir tour and missed their camp. Eliza went and made sure to print Hazel's head on a stick then carry it around all week so Hazel could support her girls haha! I heard it was hilarious! 

The girls then attended the ASL ward girls camp and had a great time.

Finally, we hosted a one night girl's camp for two sweet Young Women in our ASL ward. They were both adopted from Bulgaria as young kids and have some unique needs. Their amazing Mom mentioned how she didn't think they could handle girls camp even though one of them really wanted to attend. I suggested we create a mini-camp instead. It was a huge success! My girls had a blast planning activities and leading the way. And both sweet girls enjoyed our overnight event. I'm SO thankful we made the time for this to happen as it was one of the best experiences of our whole summer. 

Vanguard Family Campout

We're switching to a new homeschool group this fall (more on that later), and attended their end of summer family campout. It was a blast! They were able to reserve sites at church-owned camp with tons of activities. The older girls got try the zip line, giant swing, and ropes courses. And all the kids got to participate in archery, axe throwing, and a confidence course. Between having fun we played, mingled, served by splitting wood, and just had a blast. 

 

We didn't take any big trips this summer, but we had a summer full of camping and it was a perfect choice!