Camping We Will Go!

For the past couple of years my grandpa has been trying to get the whole Arizona family to go on a camping trip with them. The first year my mom was in the hospital and the second year we got rained out so this year we all made it a point to clear our calenders and go!

It was planned for the first weekend in June. We would all head up on Friday, meet my grandparents up there and then leave on Sunday afternoon in time to rest up for work on Monday.

I rode up with Kindra, Vaughn, Macie and Renzo. It was a hot day in Mesa, running around gathering up the last minute supplies and games. As soon as Vaughn was home we loaded the truck with our gear and the kids, piled ourselves in and hit the dusty trail. We were staying in a designated camp site just few miles south of Heber, Az. Little Ren slept the whole way up while Macie asked me over and over if we were there yet. I kept my eye on my phone watching the signal fade in and out as I tried to keep a "very important" conversation going. Kindra sat in the front with Vaughn filing her nails...she "never gets a minute to sit and take care of her" haha, while Vaughn talked to us about...idk what and got us safetly to our destination.

We arrived at the camp site about two hours later and were greeted by my dad in the parking area. He walked us to the camp ground and told us to heat up our food. We gave hugs, reminised and ate our hamburgers. Moments later little Renzo decided to...lose his lunch :( We decided it had to be the windy road, he was too little and just not used to it.

The night went on like normal, we sat around the camp fire enjoying our family and the cool cool weather.

Jade and I sitting next to the fire warming up her cold fingers!! She is such a cutie!!

This is Jade. There was a branch on the tree in our site that was just perfect for a little person to sit on. After Vaughn put Jade up there ALL of the kids wanted a turn. None were brave enough to let go of Vaughn's arm and just hold the tree like Jade was. lol

Kindra, Vaughn, Courtney and Randy were not staying at the site, but at a condo in Show Low. As soon as Macie figured out the plan, she was very distrot! She wanted to CAMP! She had brought her sleeping bag and her flashlight and wanted to camp!! lol Kindra asked if I would mind letting her stay with me in the trailor at least the one night so she would be happier. Of course I didn't have a problem with it, a sleepover with my neice always sounded like a fun plan :). It was about 8 o'clock when they left and the little girls were all in Grandma and Grandpa's camper watching a movie when Macie came out and ASKED if she could go to bed...I was pretty tired from the long day of preperation and the drive up so I was all game! We went into the trailer, changed into our jammies and got situated in the top bed of the camper. She was laying next to the window and seriously stayed awake for almost 4 hours looking at and talking to the moon, it was so cute...but enough was enough and finally I told her to be quiet and go to sleep!

Sleeping next to the window, it was hard for me to sleep once the sun was up. In the woods, this is about 5:30 AM! Not my cup of tea to wake up that early...especially when nobody else in the camp site is awake. Finally at about 7 I decided to give it up and get up. My dad heard me and got up with me. I didn't want to leave Macie asleep in the camper alone so we talked for a bit until the camp woke up and it was time for breakfast. Macie was so excited to get in her coat and hat to camp some more!

Here she is eating some bread right after waking up...waiting for mom and dad to get there to make breakfast!

They arrived a few minutes later all ready to eat! Kindra lagged behind...she wasnt feeling very good, her and ren :(

They sat away from the crowd the whole day watching the games and breathing in the fresh air.
Around the camp they had set up little games that we could all play and then a bucket with games for the littler ones.

Here is Courtney watching a bean bag toss tournament in progress :)

Here is mom in her "flash dance" outfit. We made fun of her because she was wearing flood pants, her jacket and an 80's sweat band. She even went as far as to do the dance from the movie...you know the one lol

A little bit after lunch Randy decided he wanted to go ride the "rhino". Yeah I didn't know what that was either! Its this:

It's like a quad, but for four people instead of one or two. It belong's to Randy's dad and he was SO excited to bring it to show everyone how cool he was ;)

We were told the first night that we wouldn't be able to drive it in the camp site but there was an area down the highway a little ways that was free ground. Randy, Scott, Lex and I piled in the Bronco and took it out for a ride. Randy started out driving and then gave each of us a turn behind the wheel

I don't think I have ever seen Alexia as scared as she was in this thing. It was priceless!

After about an hour we headed back to camp to help with dinner. DUTCH OVEN ROAST!!! YUM!

I wish I could tell you that the rest of the trip was as much fun! That night...the last night...everyone that rode in the car with Ren was up all night sick! Not just a headache or heartburn, but SICK! It started at our camp with me and within an hour Macie had joined in the...fun. In the morning while I was laying sore and scared to smell, drink or eat ANYTHING we found out that Kindra and Vaughn had been up all night too. WOW way to end a family camp out eh?? My dad's joke was "hey aren't you excited to do it again next year?" haha not if it's gonna be like that!

All in all it was a nice trip. It was good to spend time away from the hustle bustle of life and just enjoy our family. Next year let's just all pray it doesn't take the same turns :)

P.S. I don't think I will EVER eat roast from a dutch oven again...sad