Camping trip (i.e. Caleb's most loved activity in the world)

We just back from another super-fun, and very tiring, camping trip with our family at NYA church of Christ. We went to Tyler State Park, in Tyler, TX. Although we intended to leave in the morning, we didn't make it out of DFW until about 12:30/1, so we arrived late afternoon. After about 30 min in the car Caleb announced that he was "done" (by this he means, "I'm done with riding in this carseat"). Uh oh. Neither he nor Levi slept a wink in the car. We were the only ones who stayed in a tent, 3 nights. You got it, we are good at roughing it when we have to. Though I did nearly have a meltdown when the raccons started a coon fight over the leftover food on the ground about 10 feet from the tent. And I was also not a fan of the daddy-long-legs crawling on me in the night, both of which were of no concern to our fellow "trailer" camp-mates. Both boys did remarkably well with the whole change of scenery/schedule, etc. That night we didn't do much, but Caleb was so tired, he wanted to go to bed around 7:30. Sat night he was in bed by about 6:30 I think.. they get SO worn out. We had gourmet breakfasts both Sat and Sun mornings, enjoyed playing in the very clear/soft sandy-bottom lake, and playing at the cool playground structure. Caleb's highlight was the paddle boat ride that Mrs. Jenny and Mr. Kevin took them on. That was his first boat ride, I believe. My highlight was signing around the campfire to real guitar and banjo music with all our good friends. We learned "If I Die Young" and Clay got Joe to play the guitar part while he played the banjo and it was great fun! I told him he got Joe to do in about 10 minutes what I'd been trying to get him to do for 10 years (pick up his guitar again and start playing). The park host we had set up traps the last night we were there and caught 2 raccoons, which he said might be sent to another location that needs raccoons. But if there's not money in the budget he would become someone's cap. I have to say I wasn't too sad to think of it, since they had me so creeped out that I safety pinned by tent zippers together so they couldn't get in (in case we had "food" smells on us or in the tent). Levi's highlight was the long naps he got as soon as he quit screaming once placed in his water float. He would rock about 20 seconds in the water and be out like a light. Sunday I covered his arms with Caleb's extra swim shorts so there was almost none of him exposed (maybe a knuckle?) and he loved it. Caleb jumped off this barge/float-thing in the water. It was about 3 feet off the water and he was so nervous, but he would jump in and let Joe catch him. Problem is, he just barely jumps out and it always makes me think he'll hit his head. And the best-dressed award went to the guy wearing swim trunks with cowboy boots...only in Texas! Joe's highlight was drinking Yoo-Hoo sitting in his chair overlooking the forest. (Boring for me, but to each his own). Worst moments: being scared out of my wits when a friend hid in the bushes along the road to the bathroom and jumped out to scare us, Caleb stubbing/busting open his toe just before we left (which "very hurted"), the trek to the bathroom that required a bike most of the time, and the humidity/heat of the tent. But the negatives pale in comparison to the rich memories we made and fun times we shared. NYA, love you guys!! We are really looking forward to going again, but I don't think we can wait until the NYA fall one in Nov.... maybe in July we'll go with some friends!!! YIPPEE!

camping trip nya