Put another log on the fire

Last year’s camping experience scared me off of camping for a while.  But, I decided Holden was older and wiser and we would give it another go.  Thank goodness we did.  We had a fabulous trip.  We stayed at Lake Rollins and loved our campsite – lots of shade, close to real restrooms with showers (critical for a fabulous camping experience), a short walk to a nice sandy beach with swimming hole, a dock with a boat slip for easy access to the boat and a little store with lots of ice cream!

Dawson’s favorite part of camping – the fire!  It is a full time job monitoring him and the fire.  He is constantly throwing things in – such a boy.  Taya’s favorite part is smores – she can’t get enough.  She actually LOVES camping – the dirt, the tent, the bathrooms with spider webs – she loves it all. 

No camping trip is complete with a sing along around the campfire.

Fun at the sandy beach area. 

Now onto the highlight of our camping experience – the boating!  It was early in the season and the water was chilly – but we still had a great time.

 

 

   

 

Dawson did not need help in the water this year.  He jumped in and could balance himself and then pop right out of the water.  He’s a chip off the old block!

Jason cuttin’ it up.

 

Bad picture of me – but it’s a decent rooster tail :)

   

We even convinced my mom to ski

  

 

I love doing 360 turns on the kneeboard.  I think my record is 50 in a row…back in my hayday.

 

Camping....with Porta Potties

For our last hurrah before school started, we went on a camping trip with my parents. My sister, Jessica, and her husband, Will, also joined us for a night. I have decided that camping is more for the kids and creating family memories than it is for me. At least on this trip it was. Camping with a one year old is hard work. But, I tolerate it for the water skiing. I am left scratching my head when people go camping without a boat. What do you do all day? Hang out in the hot dirt? OK... I am a bit biased and hate dirt. But, for the most part, I do enjoy camping. What I do NOT enjoy are porta potties. I seemed to have missed that memo when choosing this camp site. I saw pictures of toilets on the campground map and just assumed they were restrooms. We have always camped with restrooms and showers...at least in my adult life. Thank goodness we did get showers and an occasional trip to a real restroom with running water.

Here is the crew enjoying the main event...boating!

Even my mom got in on the water sports action. I couldn't believe it! She has not done anything in years...But, she got right up on the double skis and the kneeboard. Way to go Mom!

We did get some AMAZING water. Look at that glass...Here is Jason cutting it up.

And BIG, BIG news...Dawson is an official skier. We asked him if he wanted to try the "hard skis" again after all his experience on the EZSki. He was game. My Dad got in the water with him to help him get stable and he was up the first time. By his second try, he was skiing all over the lake, waving and smiling along the way. So cool! And he became quite the pro on the kneeboard as well. He told us "Well, I guess the only thing I need to learn now is the wakeboard." So, I guess we're in the market for a Jr. Wakeboard :)

Dad and Will getting in on the action...

Like Father, Like Son. These two share a love of water sports.

Nap time....A sure fire way to get Holden to sleep is take him on the boat. And yes, he is asleep under my mom's wrap.

Time to cool off

Just hangin' around

Jesi made the PERFECT camping popcorn. Yum!

Bed time...Holden had a rough night the first night. He decided he was more interested in star gazing than sleeping. Ugh! My parents were so sweet and swooped in and took him to stargaze until he fell asleep. What life savers!