First Camping Experience!

We were sad to leave Lauren behind, but knew that a camping trip in the cold mountains is no place for a little 15 month old. So, little Lauren spent the weekend being loved and doted on by Grandmommy and Grandaddy! She had a wonderful time, as you can see....

Ha!

Seriously, we received a text with a fabulous picture of her happy and smiling, but it was too grainy and blurry to use. Honestly - she had a great time, ate and slept like a champ, and hardly missed the rest of us at all!

After a teary separation by all of us, we headed to the twins' school with Chick-Fil-A in hand and enjoyed a special lunch....

....before checking them out and heading to Hot Springs, NC to join forces with our experienced camping guru besties, the Hollmeyers.

It was still around 75 degrees up at the campsite, so Ella and Aidan opted to remain in their uniforms  until bedtime. After everything was set up, it was time to relax.....

....take a nice walk around the gorgeous campsite....

..... and cap off the night with a fabulous dinner of steaks and twice baked potatoes, and smores by the campfire for dessert....

....and a late night ride in the back of Mike's truck....

I cannot say enough about how gorgeous this spot was....from the amazing color still on the trees to the rushing water from the river.....it was perfection in every form.

While Rich and Teresa spent the night in their tent, we had the four kids in their pop-up camper. Unbelievably, everyone slept until after 8 AM the next morning!

The weather was beginning to get a bit chillier, and rain was predicted, so we took a little time for an impromptu photo-op amongst the leaves....

.....and play a little soccer....

We took a nice long walk into town, followed by lunch, more hiking and bike rides, and finally the much anticipated trip to the hot springs for a long soak in a private hot tub overlooking the river....

After another amazing dinner of chili and broccoli cornbread for the adults and burgers for the kiddos (well, fruit and crackers for Aidan, our vegetarian)....

.....it was off to walk though the haunted trail. Yep, this was a parenting mistake.

We made it all of 20 feet inside the walk before all four kids were done and scared beyond belief. Though, they have all joked and talked about it ever since.

We did; however, invent some spooky last minute costumes to trick or treat in for our neighboring campers....

Sunday was cold and drizzly as we packed up the campsite....

.....but the kids all enjoyed a few more bike rides before packing up the bikes....

...and we all headed home. Ella and Aidan were passed out within minutes....

I have to say that my first experience with camping was simply fabulous! I loved it, Mike loved it (though he is an experienced camper having hiked the entire Appalachian Trail), the kids loved it, and
we cannot wait to do it again!

Times like these with treasured friends are priceless memories.