Camping

This past summer, in August, we took the kids camping.  Emily stayed home with Xiao Yu for the first night and brought him the next day.  Also she was bringing some of the kids' friends up to the campsite as well.

Here is the first load of kids!

This time we had two tents to set up.  Here is the big one that can fit LOTS of people.  

All the kids wanted to sleep in the same tent.  So Elvin decided that he was going to sleep by himself in the privacy of his own tent.  For some reason he didn't want to share a tent with six other kids.

And then begins the waiting...that is...the waiting for their friends to show up.  Apparently camping with Papai is boring.  At least it was perfect weather and not too hot.

How do you pass the time?

Gabe went exploring behind the camp site.

And also did some monkeying around.  He climbs around the house a lot and has developed fairly strong arm and hand strength.


They did figure out that on this wobbly log, it's a fun game if you try to knock the other person off.


Like this!

Gabe took on Eliana, but there's a fairly big size differential here!

They also figured out that they could do some fencing.

Gabe explored the creek a little bit. 

And decided to chill for a while.

Finally, the friends showed up!

The kids spent some time sorting our who will be sleeping where, inside the big tent.

Xiao Yu tried fishing a little, but there were no bites.

The kids played hard in the creek.  The water was freezing cold but they didn't seem to mind it much.

And then it was time to go to bed - but they stayed up late talking, giggling, and doing who knows what.

The next morning, it was pancakes and hot chocolate for breakfast.

Yum!

And a little visitor showed up too.

Overall it was a good trip and the kids had fun!