Family Campout

We went on our first "official family" campout for Ekco's birthday. Despite the Gods-of-thwarting-family-vacations being after us from the very start, we managed to have a wonderful time. We had high hopes of getting on the road directly after Brian got off work so we could pick up Ekco and be to our camping spot by 5. But... one thing... led to another... and we were on the road a wee bit later than anticipated. No worries though, life is good, we just trudged along with hopes of getting there by 6. Then we realized that we (and by we I really mean Brian) forgot Ekco's clothes. Then we stopped at Walmart (just for a minute.. in and out) but as Walmart trips go, it set us back another hour. Still, with clothes, supplies, food, cooler... oops... we forgot ice again. I guess one more stop can't hurt right? Okay, now we have it all... except fire wood. So we picked up Ekco and then ran to Brian's parent's house. But the kids have to get out and say hi so we make it really brief and Brian throws the fire wood over the fence and we head up the mountain... without the fire wood. Nevertheless, it is still going to be a blast, just ask anybody. So we go to the "spot" and somebody is already there. I discovered that Brian is picky about where he camps which doesn't surprise me, but is new to me regardless. So we drive a bit more, and a bit more, and a bit more until... 7:00 he brings us here....
And while he sets up camp I hurry and make dinner. The girls gather firewood and we eat, roast marshmellows, and hang out and all the frantic trip dissipates with the smoke. Life. is. good.
The next morning we woke early and Brian headed down to the water to fish. I hung with the girls and had breakfast and built a fire (on a side note... I'm not much of a fire builder. It never did get very big). Then he retrieved us and we went down to the water with him.
Where the girls fished for roughly 60 seconds as usual.
But looked awfully cute doing it.
and Brian proceeded to catch and release about 20 fish while the girls looked on in what seemed to be a blend of amazement and disgust (particularly as Ekco repeatedly sang, "fish just wanna have fu-un"). Xiana thought it was pretty neat, but she freaked whenever a fish got anywhere near her. At least she comes by it honestly because fish really scare me. Their slimy flappy bodies writhing in the water.. eww... as usual I digress. It's exciting to watch when he catches fish after fish, but the really interesting part is watching him release them without injuring them.
then Ekco convinced me to swim in the melted snow.... I'm pretty sure it melted just last week, but we grinned and bared it and it was refreshing if nothing else.
then we walked over to the dam where we find this delightful sight.
then we had some lunch.
Shot some guns (I hit the cup 7 out of ten times...I'm quite proud). And then took advantage of the photo op in this beautiful greenery.
Seriously ridiculous right?
Family photo compliments of Brian's extraordinary ability to take timer shots.
Then we drove around on a scenic and exciting (Straight up and down mountains) drive and headed back to Brian's folk's house. The next day we did the cake and presents thing and Ekco seemed genuinely happy for her celebration.
and all the kids were thrilled for cake and ice cream... even Harley.
Grandma managed to find a mermaid necklace which is perfect because Ekco LOVES mermaids. We got her a bunch of stuff and then later a mermaid poster. Again... life. is. good.