Camp Chautauqua

we call this picture of Gracie "living the dream" she came across the bag of chips that got left outside over night around 9 in the morning and decided to help herself. I usually would not allow her to have chips at that time much less hold the bag of them, but the image of the size comparison was too much for me to pass up.

We had our first official camping trip this weekend! We went to Camp Chautauqua Friday through Sunday. Honestly we couldn't have had a better time. I am so relieved! Camping with little kids is a lot of work, and I give mad props to the people who can suck it up and do it in a tent. Not for me.

We couldn't have had better accommodations. There is a ton to do at the campground, pool, playground, petting zoo, fishing, the roads were paved so Ellie could ride her bike EVERYWHERE! We couldn't have had better weather, and we had really great company too! We went with John and Barb Moore and their kids, and couldn't ask for better people to camp with. They are very much like us in a lot of ways and our kids get along amazingly. And on Saturday Dawnie, Paulie, and Kelsey came to visit us for the day! So fun!

Ellie gushes a mile a minute about the trip, and she has said that she loved sleeping there, and staying up late and having camp fires and s'mores (pronounced snores). I recommend a phone call to Ellie for anyone in need of a smile, its hysterical!

Not that the weekend was without a hitch, but Warren and I were happy with the planning that we did, and with 2 minor exceptions (ummm...baby wipes?? how could I have forgotten baby wipes?!!) we had everything we needed. The girls took naps both Saturday and Sunday and the air conditioner in the camper proved to be a necessity this weekend (added benefit is that it drowned out a lot of noise from the outside) as it was actually kind of HOT. NOT COMPLAINING!

Ellie spent time playing with Bridget and Bridget's cousin Mackenzie, and just played the whole day and night. She even got to stay up much much later than usual too! But even as much fun as she had, I asked her Sunday, who her best friend was, and she answered, "Daddy". Man o Man does she know how to get her sappy father or what?? I am just kidding, she has repeated the sentiment since then, and it still gets both of us.

Ellie was sad to leave, and Grace was MISERABLE the whole way home, and thus I know we all had a good time!