Asa and I used to go camping all the time. We made it our vow when we started that we would go once a month, even if it was just out to Ratcliff. But when I got pregnant, camping fell through the cracks and I hadn't done it since. Asa had been talking for years about how he wants to camping as a family, just like both of our families did. He has been a few times with his friends, but it was really important to both of us to introduce Marley to it also. We decided that the weekend before he left for boot camp, we would do just that. It turns out we picked the perfect weekend, with the perfect weather. And we got to have our first family camping experience!
Marley helped Asa his mom set up her tent.
She loved having Kima there! The entire time, she was pointing her her, wanting to hug her, and giving her treats. They really will be best friends once we live all together again.
We got the lights set up and the tents set up and then we waited for everyone else to come. Eventually Asa's sister Noah-Beth came, as well as my mom and Joel.
Asa made us chili over the fire in his dutch oven, which was that much more delicious since we were camping!
That night, most everyone was pretty tired. So we sat around the fire until we all passed out and went to sleep. We actually slept pretty well, except for the fact that our air mattress was majorly deflated. We are definitely investing a bigger air mattress before we go camping again! The next morning, Marley slept in later than all the rest of us. The nature sounds and crackling fire probably provided the perfect white noise for her to sleep through. She was so adorable laying there, that we all had to take turns looking at her and taking pictures of her.
Bill and Mary came out to Ratcliff in time for breakfast and spent the day with us. After breakfast, my mom and Joel left to go to Emily's swim meet in Lufkin. The rest of us decided to take a hike on one of the trails that Asa and his dad had mapped out. Marley hung out in the backpack until we were almost done. Noah-Beth carried her, then Mary, and then me. She loves that thing, but she was done way before we were. Of course, that wasn't really on purpose. We got lost a few times, a couple of people fell, and we had an argument along the way.
Asa and I had to slow down because of Marley. I took this once she got sick of being on my back. This pictures just makes me smile.
We did eventually make it back safely. We all had a big lunch and then everyone else played cards while Marley and I took a nap.
Emily joined us that evening after her swim meet was over and she got her things packed. That night we had a delicious taco dinner and s'mores for dessert! That was Marley's first time having s'mores and she loved them!
The next day was my birthday, so we had a little birthday party for me that night. My mom and Asa had tried to surprise me by bringing a cake, but I accidently saw it before they brought it out. I seriously thought they were about to forget about it, so I gently reminded them once everyone started talking about going to bed!
The next morning was my birthday!
So, Asa made breakfast for all of us, which was absolutely fabulous! Why is breakfast always so much better when you're camping?!
Once we got our cars packed, we headed toward the entrance to take some family pictures by the lake.
We actually got a lot of good ones, considering the fact that none of us had had a great shower in a couple of days. While we were taking pictures, Asa had tied Kima up to a nearby pole. Well, she's stronger than he though because next thing we know, Kima is swimming toward us in the water.
That didn't really put Asa is a very good mood for the trip home, but I know he had a great time camping with all of us. It was a great last weekend in town, and definitely something her has been wanting to do with Marley for a long time! And hopefully there are many more camping trips to come!
Marley helped Asa his mom set up her tent.
She loved having Kima there! The entire time, she was pointing her her, wanting to hug her, and giving her treats. They really will be best friends once we live all together again.
We got the lights set up and the tents set up and then we waited for everyone else to come. Eventually Asa's sister Noah-Beth came, as well as my mom and Joel.
Asa made us chili over the fire in his dutch oven, which was that much more delicious since we were camping!
That night, most everyone was pretty tired. So we sat around the fire until we all passed out and went to sleep. We actually slept pretty well, except for the fact that our air mattress was majorly deflated. We are definitely investing a bigger air mattress before we go camping again! The next morning, Marley slept in later than all the rest of us. The nature sounds and crackling fire probably provided the perfect white noise for her to sleep through. She was so adorable laying there, that we all had to take turns looking at her and taking pictures of her.
Bill and Mary came out to Ratcliff in time for breakfast and spent the day with us. After breakfast, my mom and Joel left to go to Emily's swim meet in Lufkin. The rest of us decided to take a hike on one of the trails that Asa and his dad had mapped out. Marley hung out in the backpack until we were almost done. Noah-Beth carried her, then Mary, and then me. She loves that thing, but she was done way before we were. Of course, that wasn't really on purpose. We got lost a few times, a couple of people fell, and we had an argument along the way.
Asa and I had to slow down because of Marley. I took this once she got sick of being on my back. This pictures just makes me smile.
We did eventually make it back safely. We all had a big lunch and then everyone else played cards while Marley and I took a nap.
Emily joined us that evening after her swim meet was over and she got her things packed. That night we had a delicious taco dinner and s'mores for dessert! That was Marley's first time having s'mores and she loved them!
The next day was my birthday, so we had a little birthday party for me that night. My mom and Asa had tried to surprise me by bringing a cake, but I accidently saw it before they brought it out. I seriously thought they were about to forget about it, so I gently reminded them once everyone started talking about going to bed!
The next morning was my birthday!
So, Asa made breakfast for all of us, which was absolutely fabulous! Why is breakfast always so much better when you're camping?!
Once we got our cars packed, we headed toward the entrance to take some family pictures by the lake. 
We actually got a lot of good ones, considering the fact that none of us had had a great shower in a couple of days. While we were taking pictures, Asa had tied Kima up to a nearby pole. Well, she's stronger than he though because next thing we know, Kima is swimming toward us in the water.
That didn't really put Asa is a very good mood for the trip home, but I know he had a great time camping with all of us. It was a great last weekend in town, and definitely something her has been wanting to do with Marley for a long time! And hopefully there are many more camping trips to come!
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