Sunday, August 26, 2012

call me camper

Camping was a foreign concept for me until beach camp in high school with my youth group. I'll just put it simply and come clean: I'm not a natural camper. There is something about the dirt that I just can't  come to terms with. However, I have learned to appreciate the joy that the camping experience brings to my boys. That alone has made camping my friend. I must offer a huge thanks to our friends who are like family and their ability to roll with us. They have camping in their blood and their love of it has been contagious for our family.


There is something to be said for removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just spending time with each other and taking it slow.




My favorite time is spent at the beach. The toasty sand, salty air, and crashing waves are why I now look forward to beach camping each summer like others dream of Paris.


My kids are beach people too. It speaks to us. Jack made himself right at home.



 Charlie is the new Kelly Slater. He kept trying and trying. I love his tenacity. It's why we call him Fun Time Charlie, after all.


Even the moms got in on the action.


 It wasn't pretty, my friends.



I think I like Jack's "on sand" approach better. I'll try that next time.


In the late afternoon we would head back to camp. We had to make a pit stop first, though.




As the sun was setting we whipped out the glow sticks because it wouldn't be camping in my boys' book if we didn't bring them...lots and lots of them.



A little s'mores action was called for, too.


And the boy who could not put down A Light in the Attic made my heart happy.


We packed up and looked forward to long showers, clean feet, and sleeping in our own beds. But, we started talking about camping next summer by the time we got in the car.


Good times, my friends. Until next year...

Much love,
Katie

13 comments:

Brooke said...

Beach camping sounds fun.... for a day or two! I too am not a very natural camper....

You did great. And the surfing... WOW!! Love that you tried ;D
Love the shots of the feet flying up... hee!

Karen said...

That looks like so much fun!!! You guys all look very happy. Was that San Elijo?

Joy said...

I'm not a natural born camper either. It looks like you all had fun!

Erin said...

How fun! Where did you go? I love the idea of camping but the reality of the work and dirt involved scares us away as well!

likeschocolate said...

So happy for you that you had a fantastic time.

Flor said...

oh wow, that looks like so much fun! I'm not much of a camper either but my husband loooovvesss it. we wanted to go beach camping this summer but couldn't because i wasn't feeling so good. but next summer, my husband and kids are already talking about it. i am going to have to message you for the details on where you went bc it looks really nice :)

Michelle Elkins AKA Mickey said...

so much fun! My dream is to go camping next year! Looks like so much fun!

katrina adams said...

love this! camping really is a must-do for the boys. and camping on the beach is even better!

Susan said...

Yeah, so I'm not a camper either. This however, looks like so much fan! I could do a camper. Tents, not so much. :)

Grace said...

How fun. I've told my husband that I'm down when it comes to camping as long as I sleep in an RV, have a real toilet, and there's got to be showers. My 3 requirements HAVE to be met or else it's on to other plans. I love the beach as well as does my husband and kids.
We'll be making yet another trip to San Diego {Coronado beach to be exact} next weekend. Can't wait.

The Olive Tree Blog said...

I'm just going to keep having babies so I can use the baby card every time I get asked to camp/// 19 kids and counting here I come...lol just kidding :)

When my kids can all self function I will camp. until then...

Marie said...

glad you all had a blast! we beach camp here too...but our beach here in Maryland has wild ponies on it and you can drive your 4x4's on the beach. we surf fish and catch sand sharks (who have no teeth) and dig pits to put them in filled with water and let the kids play with them! yep. we let our kids play/swim with sharks here on the Atlantic:)

you guys are great!

grey rose (they/them) said...

FUN!!! and goodness, jack in the sand...crack me up! adorable.

love you!