Backyard camping

In preparation for an upcoming girl scout backyard campout and a few other camping trips planned this summer, we thought we'd practice first with a backyard campout. We surprised the kids and made them wait all day for the "big" announcement! It's always nice to have leverage in getting them to complete their chores :-)

We started the night early watching Princess and the frog on our portable DVD player (going real hard-core camping here!) We made it half-way through and had some backyard visitors, thanks grandpa & grandma Moody for checking in on us. The dogs got more scared than we did! Then the kids and Chad zonked out pretty early! I laid there in the peace of the night. It was SO relaxing to hear really nothing, maybe a few passing cars and grasshoppers singing, then it was my turn...out! Surprisingly, after falling asleep so easily, I didnt sleep well. Chad and I were both cold and our backs started to hurt. Who knew the kids would be so much better at this than we were! We wussed out and ended up carrying the kids in the house about 3am and we all passed out on the living room floor. :-) I really cant wait for the REAL camping experience...with a air mattress! Coming soon!!

A little volleyball action first



Even Belle and Koda joined in the fun!