Camping

 We conquered our yearly camping trip! Oh my gosh, this trip is so much work but very much worth it! When we told people we were going we kept getting the same response "You are brave!" (although I think they might have been thinking "you are stupid!"). Lila and Davis were both our "wild card" kids this trip, and Davis was kind of a nightmare last year (and the year before). But nonetheless, we packed up the car and made it happen!

We meet these friends from BYU every summer to camp for one weekend (which is really just one night). We went back to Spruces Campground this year, where we had our first one. I think we all decided its our favorite. There is so much to do up Big Cottonwood Canyon, the campground itself is gorgeous and fairly private, it's fairly central to all of us. We love that place! This year ended up being kind of unique, we were the only family to stay overnight. We crazy schedules and injuries that happened, neither Virgins or Bennetts could spend the night, but we still got to spend plenty of time with them!

I will say, packing for a one night camping trip for a family of six is no joke. Our van was packed to the brim! It was a tight squeeze for sure (and took me most of the afternoon to do, after teaching swim lessons all morning, and a week of working on bathroom remodeling.) Honestly, with everything else going on, Ben and I would both have probably backed out if this trip wasn't such a highlight for Chase and Hudson. They absolutely love it and it's always a major highlight of their summer!

 We got camp set up pretty quickly and the Bennetts came up for dinner and smores around the campfire. Our families are identical, 3 boys who all get along great, and then a baby girl at the end! I wish I'd gotten a picture of Lila and Lucy together, but these ones of Davis and Brooks crack me up!

 Bennetts headed home for the night (Chad has a broken collar bone) and I would be lying if I didn't admit Ben and I were a little jealous. But the whole tent sleeping experience was important to the boys so we stayed. It honestly went better than expected. We had everyone asleep by about 10:30, Lila got up to eat around 3:00 and then everyone was up for the morning at 6:00. Honestly, one of the better nights sleep we've gotten camping so we'll take it!

Since we were up we decided to quickly pack up the kids and go hike Donut Falls. We love that hike! It is so pretty, easy enough for the kids to do, and not that long. Lila took her inaugural hike in the backpack, she did really well and even fell asleep in there. Davis said "good mornin!" to everyone we passed on the trail.

 We headed back to the campsite and met up with our friends who had come up for the day. We had a lovely lunch and then we all just sat around and chatted (adults) while the kiddos played and played. This group of kids entertains themselves so well! We have 13 kids now, which seems kind of crazy, but they all get along seamlessly. Even though they only see each other maybe twice a year, they pick up right where they've left off and have a great time together.

 This photo is evidence of what happens when Ben punishes Davis. It's very rare. Davis loves his dad so much and always wants to be with him, and when he gets into trouble it just crushes his soul. This picture was taken like 20 minutes after Davis's very short time out had ended, but Davis still wasn't over the blow.

 Ben and I both got to enjoy the sweetness of a child napping in your lap! We sat in the shade, chatted with friends about life, church, parenting, marriage, work and everything else under the sun for a few hours, both with a sleeping child. It was the best!

 After a few hours at the campsite we ventured up to Silver Lake, a favorite spot at the top of the canyon. We love this beautiful place! The kids loved the walk around the lake and we all marveled at it's beauty. I think this was my fifth time to the lake and it still takes my breath away.

 Almost the whole group of kids- Lila and Lucy were both strapped tight in baby carriers at this moment. From L to R- Brooks, Drew, Davis, Hudson, Chase, Ryder, Ella, Kynlee, Brooklynn, Makenna (in the stroller) and Sophie.

 After heading back to the campsite for a delicious dinner and more s'mores roasting we decided to pack up and head home. We technically had the site for another night, but our own beds and showers sounded too good. We had such a great time. As we drove out of the canyon with our tired, dirty kids, my body was exhausted but my heart felt full. There is nothing quite like being out in nature, especially a place this beautiful, enjoying the quiet and the handiwork of the Creator. We got to spend quality time with our little family and with dear friends. It was a moment of simplicity and stillness, just what my heart needed. I remembered exactly why we go to all the work to make this happen year after year.