Camping trip 2014

This last weekend we went on a camp out with our dear friends outside of San Antonio, Texas. While we had every intention to go camping at least once a year, it has been two years since our last camping adventure. Our last camp out the H family was a brand new family of four, the W family was post law school and a family of three, and our family was pre-Kyle's injury, Master's degree, Ryker, and Bellamy. Our little families have grown rapidly over the last two years, and many wonderful changes have also brought us to where we are today.

Not the best picture ever... Mrs. W was feeling this one. Look at all our tiny babies. Mrs. H had JUST had little boy H, Mrs. W was fresh from law school pre-bar exam, and I was six months pregnant with Ryker. 

Cooking for the masses, I was grateful that Mrs. H did most the cooking this time since Bellamy is only six weeks old. 

Fox and little girl H are still sweet friends, Love these babies. Little girl W was not even crawling yet, but she is also hangin' with these crazies now that they're all THREE (or close enough)! 

I quickly realized that not only do we now need to camp with a pull behind flat bed trailer (to haul all our stuff), but that the days of peacefully relaxing the whole day away outside the tents while watching our sweet little off-springs quietly play are gone, long long gone.

This doesn't include all the firewood, big ice chest, and multiple last minuet things we grabbed from the ranch. So much stuff, and I even packed 'light' for each person. In the end we still had everything we needed/wanted. But it was a lot.

Let me clarify we had a fantastic time, how could you not endlessly be entertained by our Hodge-podge group of hilarious characters. But every single one of the seven kids under the age of three were teaching us how to be better camping parents.  We had a few mishaps, like Fox drinking lighter fluid, that trick of his was one for the books. Or little H boy grabbing a hot coal off the dutch oven (he was fine, scared us more than really hurt him, thankfully). Or Ryker randomly going on adventures by himself. They sure did keep us on our toes. But to see them enjoy each other's company, nature, and the massive amounts of camping junk food, was so very worth it!

Fox and little girl H, still sweet friends, we're hoping for ginger curly haired babies one day... A long time from now post missions.

Little girl W2, she is a new addition since we last were camping. She is the sweetest little thing, so happy to just be!

Ryker is also a new addition since our last adventure in tents, he likes to play in  the dirt and go on solo hikes. He is very independent, but also likes to play with little boy W, they're going to cause big problems one day. 

Our almost addition, baby boy H, can't wait till he is here!

Little girl W was just 10 months old when we were last out in nature. She has grown into the most intelligent almost three year old ever. 

Bellamy is just six weeks old and already has her first camping trip in the books! She did so well and is such an mild tempered princess!

Little boy H is Ryker's partner in crime. This cherubic little toe head can run faster than any two year old I know! I have Olympic hopes for him!

Just to clarify Mrs. H did bring healthy snacks for the kids, she was far better prepared than I was.

Example of Mrs. H's cooking! We had cinnamon rolls cooked in hallowed out oranges. AMAZING! So delish, I had two. 

I am so very grateful that I have woman (and their spouses) who help me be a better wife, mother, friend, and woman. These ladies I know will love me at my very best and very worst, and give me the advice I need to hear even if it is difficult for them to say. They make me a better person. We all need people like that in our lives. I'm grateful that we took the time to go camping, giving our selves time to slow down and just exist in the beautiful nature our Heavenly Father has given to us.

Mrs. W, now a fantastic lawyer, mother, wife, and a best friend. I have been forever blessed by the solid advice this woman gives. She isn't afraid to tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. 

Mrs. H is due in just a short six weeks with baby boy W, eek I can't wait for him to be here! She is all things love and compassion, she is so patient with her kids, a wonderful example of true Christ like love for everyone. I want to be like her when I grow up!

Where will we be in our lives the next time we all go camping? Hopefully it isn't in two years, but sooner, and without any new fruit from my loins.

The W family couldn't spend the night so they missed the group photo. But our group keeps joyfully growing, our littles aren't so little anymore, and the new additions are fresh from Heaven. Isn't life grand. We're all so blessed.