We finally had a completely successful camping trip this year. Labor Day weekend we headed over to Delaware to Killens Pond. We had camped here before in October. In rain and snow. Luckily in cabins. This time it was tents all the way.
I didn't take any pictures for the first 24 hours or so. We arrived around dinner time. Paul set up the tent while I tried to get a fire started for hot dogs (tried being the operative word- thank goodness Olav was around). We spent the first night just hanging out as the kids ran around as if they had just seen each other last week. Saturday morning we went to the water park. It wasn't huge, but there was a big pool with a slide and a kiddie pool with slides. We spent a few hours there in the morning, went back to the campsite for lunch, then went back for a few more hours in the afternoon.
N had a great time being pushed around in his stroller by the girls.
The kids relaxed by the fire while Olav cooked corn.
Dinner!
Of course there were epic light saber battles.
As the girls watched this battle, Charlotte was the moderator who would stop the fight and lay down the rules. For some reason, the boys complied.
Dollar store glow swords were brought out for the second night.
It's not camping without s'mores.
As it got really dark, the kids running around with the swords produced cool light shows from the camera.
Our borrowed tent. I loved having the little screened porch.
Some of the other campsites for our group.
Sunday morning the big kids took part in a fishing program.
After fishing, we went to the playground at the campground.
The slide was really fast. Rudy didn't believe me when I said his hair was blowing because it was so fast, so I had to take this picture to prove it.
Tree climbing
Right by the playground was part of the trail that goes around Killens Pond, so we explored that.
Across the lake you can see where we fished earlier.
This is the nature center also across the lake.
N and his fans.
The explorer
The path led us back to our camping loop.
After lunch we hung out at the campsite for a while. N hung out with the girls.
Then we went over to the nature center for a program on reptiles and amphibians.
They were playing around and touching noses.
A rare moment with both of them sitting.
Touching the snake.
As we left the nature center, Liliana said, "Let's take a picture of the Guatemalans." (Josh wasn't with us at the program.)
Then the siblings got in the pictures and all were silly.
Then Mr. "Cheese" needed a picture.
We had seen a different playground by the nature center so we headed over there for a while.
The swings were a big hit and at one point all 6 kids were on the swings.
Once we got back to camp, these two got control of the lightsabers for a while.
While waiting for dinner, I suggested another walk. Rudy's condition was he would go, but only if he was allowed to keep his shirt off.
Sisters
Still full of energy
One..two...three...jump!
After dinner, Olav entertained the kids with songs about everyone in our group. Rudy is still singing the Rudy and Josh songs.
Our last morning having breakfast. It was around 6 a.m. but it wasn't as dark as the camera makes it seem.
The final morning picture tradition. Josh didn't want to participate, so here are the other Guatemalans.
N getting lots of love.
All the kids
The Murphys
The Henrys
The Gjerdes
The Specks (or half of them)
The whole gang
A silly boy who had a pretty good time camping and playing.
I didn't take any pictures for the first 24 hours or so. We arrived around dinner time. Paul set up the tent while I tried to get a fire started for hot dogs (tried being the operative word- thank goodness Olav was around). We spent the first night just hanging out as the kids ran around as if they had just seen each other last week. Saturday morning we went to the water park. It wasn't huge, but there was a big pool with a slide and a kiddie pool with slides. We spent a few hours there in the morning, went back to the campsite for lunch, then went back for a few more hours in the afternoon.
N had a great time being pushed around in his stroller by the girls.
The kids relaxed by the fire while Olav cooked corn.
Dinner!
Of course there were epic light saber battles.
As the girls watched this battle, Charlotte was the moderator who would stop the fight and lay down the rules. For some reason, the boys complied.
Dollar store glow swords were brought out for the second night.
It's not camping without s'mores.
As it got really dark, the kids running around with the swords produced cool light shows from the camera.
Our borrowed tent. I loved having the little screened porch.
Some of the other campsites for our group.
Sunday morning the big kids took part in a fishing program.
Just as time was about up, Rudy caught a fish. He was the only one of our kids to do it.
After fishing, we went to the playground at the campground.
The slide was really fast. Rudy didn't believe me when I said his hair was blowing because it was so fast, so I had to take this picture to prove it.
Tree climbing
Across the lake you can see where we fished earlier.
This is the nature center also across the lake.
N and his fans.
The explorer
The path led us back to our camping loop.
After lunch we hung out at the campsite for a while. N hung out with the girls.
Then we went over to the nature center for a program on reptiles and amphibians.
They were playing around and touching noses.
A rare moment with both of them sitting.
Touching the snake.
As we left the nature center, Liliana said, "Let's take a picture of the Guatemalans." (Josh wasn't with us at the program.)
Then the siblings got in the pictures and all were silly.
Then Mr. "Cheese" needed a picture.
We had seen a different playground by the nature center so we headed over there for a while.
The swings were a big hit and at one point all 6 kids were on the swings.
A hot and sweaty boy.
They look like they're up to something....
Once we got back to camp, these two got control of the lightsabers for a while.
While waiting for dinner, I suggested another walk. Rudy's condition was he would go, but only if he was allowed to keep his shirt off.
Sisters
Still full of energy
After dinner, Olav entertained the kids with songs about everyone in our group. Rudy is still singing the Rudy and Josh songs.
Our last morning having breakfast. It was around 6 a.m. but it wasn't as dark as the camera makes it seem.
The final morning picture tradition. Josh didn't want to participate, so here are the other Guatemalans.
N getting lots of love.
All the kids
The Murphys
The Henrys
The Gjerdes
The Specks (or half of them)
The whole gang
A silly boy who had a pretty good time camping and playing.
