Camping

Last weekend we had our first official camping experience, and it went better than expected!  We intended to get out there (Montgomery Bell State Park) early, but didn't quite make it.  It was our first time putting the new tent up and it getting dark as soon as we got out there didn't help speed up the assembly process - but we managed with the car headlights after we threw out the incredibly frustrating and just plain wrong directions and did what we thought made sense.  The kids did a great job helping gather sticks for the fire and then dad taught them all about grilling hot dogs!

I trusted Lance when I asked if we should pack warm clothes and he scoffed saying the low was only supposed to be 65 for the evening (the reason we went was because of the unseasonably warm weather).  It was kind of cold at our creekside spot and I really wished I hadn't listed to him on the clothing provisions (especially since he is never cold), but manageable when we all cuddled up together by the fire. 

We made smores and took nature walk trips to the only bathhouse open that was at the front of the park and really had a great time.  Sleeping went well until we realized our mistake of not fully putting the rain guard on (by that point we were kind of over the putting up the tent portion of the evening) and it started pouring at about 4:00 AM.  Tyler's side of the tent was getting a little wet and Lance had a busy day (plus thanks to Ray-Ray and So-So we had a much needed night out scheduled for Saturday night and I had false hope that we could catch a nap at home if we went early) so we decided to pack up the car when there was a lull in the rain at about 5:00.  It was dark so we turned the car headlights on and packed up pretty quickly and intended to get on the road at about 5:45 when we realized that the car never got started and the battery was dead.  We called the park ranger office and they weren't on duty until 7:00 and we were scouting others in surrounding campsites to see if anyone could help with no luck.  So, we didn't actually manage to leave until 7:45!  Despite that little glitch we had a great time, and we learned a little for the next camping adventure - get out earlier to get the rain guard on and the tent up before dark, any colder is not doable with the kids, and if we need light start the car :)! 

We really enjoyed the movie and dinner, too (big thank you to the Nashville grandparents) and all in all it was a fabulous weekend.  The kids are quite challenging these days and testing every ounce of both of our patience so it was great to be in a different environment with them and they were on good behavior.  They are so strong-willed and Tyler's meltdowns are out of control while Katie's drama queen antics are exasperating, but family time really is fun when all of us (me, included - I really need to work on being calmer and yelling less) are less keyed up and just having a good time!  We will definitely go camping again, but probably not until the Spring or Summer when we can have more time and better weather!  We were considering camping at Disney or renting an RV, but I think we are going to go with my sister and her family this summer and stay in an actual condo or house - which is probably  a better idea :)!