Camping at Red Top Mountain

The camping group

This past weekend, we ventured out on our first family camping trip, along with my sister Amy and her husband, Tim.  Davey and I camped before Lailey came so we've been looking forward to taking her on her first trip. All week I had been talking to her about the exciting new things we would do that weekend such as sleeping outside, sleeping in a tent, seeing Amy and Tim, eating outside, and making a fire.  After mentioning the last thing, she thought for a second, then her blue eyes lit up and she said "And marshmallows too?!" The kid remembers everything.  It's been three months since we used our backyard fire pit and she still remembers the marshmallows.  Well, we had lots of them over the course of the weekend.  It's a wonder she didn't turn into a one by the time we got home.

Trying on Daddy's boots before the trip

You know, one of my favorite parts of camping is getting away from the busyness of life and technology.  Nothing wrong with phones, computers, tv, and the like, but escaping now and again is what I love.  Breathing fresh air, getting closer to God's creation, and not having the distractions of "normal" life are what draw me to the outdoors.  So I guess you could say I really sealed the deal when I accidentally dropped my phone into the campground toilet on my first trip to the bathroom.  (Thankfully, after an entire weekend of drying out it is fully functional.  I said I like to "escape now and again," not be a hippie.)

We left Friday afternoon and made it to the campsite about 5:00 pm.  Lailey had not been feeling well the day before or that morning, but we decided to take a chance and hope for the best.  We figured we'd be only 1.5 hrs from home if she was miserable.  Except for a few whining episodes, she ended up having a blast and doing really well.  She even made it through the whole weekend without one potty accident!

Checking out Uncle Tim building the fire, but only for a second

Campsite #34

One of my main concerns, as funny as this is, was the distance to a bathroom.  Not for Lailey, but for me!  Between being pregnant and potty training, I feel like I'm best friends with the potty these days.  Thankfully, Amy and Tim arrived before us and not only got an amazing campsite with a great view but it was only a minute walk up to the bathroom, which was actually really nice and clean.

The first evening we ate chili and cornbread for dinner, and s'mores for dessert.  Food always tastes better when you're camping, and this meal did not disappoint, if I may say so myself.  Lailey was so ready for bed I could barely get her changed into her diaper and jammies before she fell asleep!  I bundled her up in a miney (her blanket), a sleeping bag, and another heavy afghan on top and I don't think she budged the whole night.  She was nice and cozy.  Here's a video of our first morning in the tent...

Translation: "Ride a little horsey down the trail.  Better watch out before he falls

 in the weeeeeeeeeell."  I realized recently that "trail" and "well" only rhyme if you're truly Southern.  Which is why I can't say it.

Playing with a headlamp

One time during the night, Lailey made a noise or something and it woke me up.  I crawled out of my sleeping bag to check on her and make sure she was warm.  She was fine, so after I made sure she was tucked in securely I crawled back to my spot.  Then I realized something that I had been dreading.  I had to pee.  I mean, I really had to go.  There is no ignoring it and trying to sleep when you are carrying something equated to a soccer ball in your stomach.  Grrr.  I quickly considered my options: 

Option 1) Squat outside by myself.  Nope, don't like the dark, never have.  Plus, squatting at this time is not very easy and I wasn't sacrificing my one pair of pjs just in case I missed.

Option 2) Walk 2 min. to the bathrooms by myself.  See option 1 regarding fear of the dark.  Head lamp or not, I ain't goin' solo.

Option 3) Invoke the SDLSPSITD Rule.  For those of you out of the loop, that's "Sisters Don't Let Sisters Pee Solo In The Dark." Yep, I woke up Amy.  She thankfully obliged me and we trudged up the hill, freezing, to the bathroom.  Ahh, sweet relief.  

Lailey and Mommy

Saturday Davey was all ready to try the kid carrier back pack we had borrowed from a friend, but I, having had some trouble getting back to sleep after the midnight potty trip, was really tired.  I also stayed up late packing the night before, so two nights of sub-par sleep and I hit a wall.  Nap time for Mommy.  Amy decided to stay with me so Tim, Davey, and Lailey set off.  Lailey really enjoyed the hike, especially when Davey "galloped" with her on his back.

After their first 4 mi. hike

Relaxing

Naptime for Davey

Make like a baby and head on out

The manly men chopping wood

Playground!

Saturday evening Amy, Lailey, and I walked a little ways to the playground.  The "paygound" is one of her favorite things right now.  Another favorite thing?  Let's just say it starts with "Ride a horsey..."

Lailey on her horsey (aka Aunt Amy)

We had tuna, crackers, and trail mix for lunch Saturday, and fajitas for dinner with salsa and Greek yogurt- yum!  And marshmallows.  Before I went to bed, I jokingly prayed to God (since I think He has a sense of humor) that He would let me sleep through the night without having to follow the SDLSPSITD rule again.  Well, He answered my prayer.  How nice.

Cold morning

Sunday morning was pretty chilly so after practically running to the bathroom (I told you I was BFF's with the potty) I made our oatmeal breakfast quickly so we could sit by the fire and enjoy it.

Sunday morning breakfast of champions...complete with sporks

Lailey learning to safely warm her hands (notice me holding her jacket?)

We packed up everything in the car and then headed to the Visitor's Center to get started on the 1.5 mile orienteering course that Tim was interested in.  Not to say I didn't want to do it, but I was just the follower, not the one with the compass.

The beautiful view of Lake Allatoona from campsite #34

How many people does it take to load a toddler in the carrier?

Lailey, enjoying pb crackers while on her second hike for the weekend

Sweety pie

All FOUR of us :)

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and we're looking forward to camping again.  Probably not this fall since Little Brother or Sister will be pretty little, but maybe next spring.