Camping with friends

We had a wonderful weekend!  We went camping with the Kelsheimers.  Because, hey, what's better than taking ONE large family camping??? Taking TWO large families camping.  The funny thing is that we started getting together with them back when Avery was a baby.  They have SIX children and we used to think their family was HUGE!  Now, we look at their family and it doesn't seem nearly so overwhelming!  They had four of their children this weekend, so us adults were outnumbered 2:1.  But, Kaleb is almost 15, and he was the best help we could ever ask for.  And the kids were all so well behaved.  Even Jasper, their dog, was wonderful.  So, I'll tell you more about our trip in pictures:

Our big 5 year old, taking a break from playing ball.

Steve and Avery enjoyed playing catch for quite a while on our trip!

We were right next the the shelter house, and the boys LOVED riding down this big hill.  At times they had crowds of other kids there watching and joining in.  Here it was Silas' turn.

Now Avery's turn to go down.

Nolan didn't ride his bike down the hill, but he enjoyed watching his brothers go!

He likes to help daddy cool his coffee off.  I think he likes the smell of it!

Boys will be boys...

It's all fun and games until...

Somebody gets hurt.  (Silas got his fingers ran over!)

The boys helped Dad stack the firewood.  We used every bit of it on Saturday.  We were fortunate to have a cooler, more comfortable day to camp!

The kids LOVED the golf cart.  They'd play on it until the charge ran down, charge it for a bit, and then take it out for as long as they could get it to last!

Nolan and his buddy Kaleb!  He really liked and trusted Kaleb, especially since he protected him from Jasper (who wouldn't harm a flea!)

Nolan misunderstood corn hole!

Nolan and Silas enjoyed throwing the bean bags while the men played football.

This is what Steve and Troy do best!  They talk and usually erupt in laughter every 30 seconds or so...

Avery and Logan enjoyed playing checkers NFL style!

Nolan enjoyed the toys most.

They took a break long enough to give me a smile!

Now the men take over the corn hole game!

Kaleb and Riley were the other two "men" playing.

Troy and Lori.  At the time we were trying to talk them into purchasing a motor home so that we can camp together more often.  Well, that was pretty much what we did ALL weekend!

Lori and Chaille awaiting the "Parade."

The Golf Cart "Parade" that is.  About a dozen of the golf carts from the campground came by (the kids included.)  We collected LOTS of candy for such a small parade! :O)

Steve wanted a big Nolan hug!

So Kaleb thought his "daddy" would want want too!  LOL

Silas and Lily were playing corn hole.  He was cracking up at something...

Chaille enjoying her sucker from the parade.  We were both a sticky mess after this!

The boys wanted to help tend to the fire.

And they stood around the fire and talked.

Steve is laughing so hard here.  Why, you ask... It could be because of this:

Kaleb trying to do bike tricks on Riley's bike.  But that's not it!  It was THIS:

TROY doing bike tricks on Riley's bike!  Check on that wheelie!

Beautiful Lily!

And beautiful Chaille too :O)

The hayride.  We didn't plan to go, so it was kind of impromptu...

A family picture! :O)

The hayride took us to a little cemetary at the front of the park.  The guy told a lame ghost story that lasted forever and was not very kid appropriate.  We were less than impressed.  He insulted the kids repeatedly and scared them by yelling loudly a few times.  We were so glad when we got back to the campfire to roast marshmellows!

It was too dark for pictures of marshmellows last night, so I took one this morning when daddy let Nolan roast just "one more!"

We had a WONDERFUL time this weekend.  We know that this was one of those weekend where lots of memories were made.  The kids even swam in the lake water at the "beach" they have there.  They wanted to fish but they were out of bait for sale, so that was ruled out for us.  Just being together with our friends was a TON of fun.  I hope we have so many more trips just like this in our future!