The first camping adventure

Two weekends ago we (My husband (Curt), myself, my sister in-law (Bridget) and her husband (Ryan)) decided it would be a great idea to take 7 kids camping... And it was. We had a great time, killed some bugs, and learned some important things to do differently "next time". Between my family and my husband's sisters family we have S E V E N kids! The oldest two girls Kendal and Jaden are 10 (born just 6 weeks apart) the middle two girls Madison and Rileigh are 8 (born just 4 months apart.. with Madison turning 9 on the 6th), then comes Mason 6... the only boy, and lastly the twins 19 months. We've been discussing going camping since I was pregnant with the twins but just never got around to going. After the boys went on an overnight hunting trip they declared we would be going camping and promptly decided on the weekend it would happen. So it was in the calendar ... no backing out now. We planned and "pinned" (thanks pinterest) for two weeks - what we would eat, how we would sleep, what we would do, how we would keep the bugs away, and how would we get the twins to take naps and go to bed at night (the most important and crucial in my opinion!). We shopped together for supplies, made lists, bought tons of groceries, beverages, and of course the adult version of those beverages. We packed up two vehicles full of tents, coolers, pillows, blankets, dog crate, toys, totes, diapers, and so much more. My family arrived at the camp site first and we set up the tents, started a fire and ate our first camping meal... the easiest one of them all. Bridget, Ryan and their kids arrived later that evening.

The first day/night was good we only had to kill 3 tics on the babies and had to drive them around for about 20 minutes so they would fall asleep. Once we they were asleep the slept pretty well until about 5 AM, from that point on Charlotte was not having it- she was crying and we didn't really know why, Olivia was talking nonsense and making us all laugh (the adults shared a tent with the babies)- so the boys decided they would let us girls get some sleep and take the babies out for a drive.to walmart. 20 minutes away. LOL BOYS! Needless to say I didn't get much sleep the first night but I expected I wouldn't be sleeping all that much.

Day 2 started with our grand plans to make a big breakfast (Thanks to my hubby and his grand idea to make big meals) eggs and bacon was on the menu. Let's just say we didn't plan out this breakfast the best in the beginning- but figured out a better way to cook the breakfast about half way though. Everyones bellies were full that was the most important part! We hung out for a while let the kids play and the twins get nice a dirty (and boy did they) before we set out to find the spring so that we could take the kids swimming. One of the things we particularly  loved about  going camping was that we wouldn't have internet or very good cell service so the kids would not be messing on their phones/ipods. However, that didn't come in very handy when hubby forgot the map at home and we needed to see it to figure out how to get to the spring!! After a few minutes of driving we finally had enough cell service to hit up google maps. The kids were a little underwhelmed with the spring at first... because well they were expecting a P O O L and no fish! Once the got used to swimming with the small fish and seaweed they had a blast. The girls and I got up some courage and jumped of the "cliff" after watching the boys have a blast. Back to camp to make our elaborate dinner of BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, and potatoes. Lets just say we have made the very wise decision to make easy more simple meals on the next trip! We felt as though we spent most of our time cooking. While we cooked for about and hour the babies took late naps (Livy while in Aunt Bridget's arms) and Charlie passed out on Uncle Ryan's chest. It is hard to have the babies running around when it starts to get dark because they just can't see where they are going and they end up falling a lot. So into the van for more driving around - except this time they didn't fall asleep! After some holding and walking them around they finally fell asleep and this time we decided they shouldn't sleep on the same mattress (with mommy and daddy) like they did the  nigh before. They just aren't used to sleeping right next to each other and I think that is why they woke up so many times the first night. So that night Livy slept with Mommy and Daddy and Charlie with Auntie and Uncle. Let's just say we all got a much better nights sleep!

Day 3 consisted of cereal for breakfast and packing up. We had a great time and made some really great memories that I know our kids will always remember and cherish. We love trying and doing new things and we will for sure be camping again... with a few changes of course!