Camping with tHe gAnG

In an effort to save some money this summer while still enjoying quality gang time and feeling as though we're taking several vacations, we've decided to do lots of camping!  Our first official trip of the summer was this past weekend, and we had a wonderful time :D  

It began with lots of careful planning...and then lots and lots of packing...

My Chevy Traverse was crammed full, along with the entire back of our 12-passenger van (we took the back seat out!).....

Camping with 10 people means lots of bedding, towels, coolers, tents, air mattresses, and FOOD ;D

We spent the day Friday loading up and headed out as soon as Zack got home from work!

Caleb was excited :D

We arrived at the campground around 4pm and got straight to work setting up our tents.  This is a shot of my brand new tent (my Mother's Day gift!) and our "kitchen."

We had two sites, side by side, and this is the second tent.....

It was a fabulous campground and we loved our sites!  Here you can see the two sites together- lots of room and very private!

Not to mention a fabulous view of the lake!!  We are already planning a trip back in a few weeks!

Here's one more shot of my new tent with all the sides opened up- I love it!

After setting up, it was time to get cooking.  We grilled sausages and had a wonderful cornbread salad that Emily had prepared in the morning before we left the house....yum!

The boys were begging to get the fire going, so that was next on our agenda!

The rest of the night was spent eating s'mores and enjoying some laughs ;D

We were up early Saturday morning with big plans for breakfast....

Eggs, thick-cut bacon and homemade DONUTS :D

The donuts were a huge hit!  It was a recipe from our good friends in Kansas- they made them for us when we camped with them, and they are yummy!  I'll do a post with the very simple instructions soon.

Here's Sophie shaking the donuts in powdered sugar...

Matthew gave them a thumbs up :D

After breakfast, we hit the beach!

The guys enjoyed trying to stand up on the tubing that surrounded the swimming area....

Everyone enjoyed playing in the sand :D

And someone made Matthew into a "merman!"

Caleb wore himself out and had a nice nap in the shade of a tree.....

We ate sandwiches and watermelon by the shore....

and dug in the sand some more!

Caleb found a way to get a drink.....eeeewwww!

Josh did some wonderful sand art!

Matthew made up a new game :D

While Sophie taught Jacob some new moves!!

Enjoying my girls :D

My eyes were SO squinty from the sun and wind that I could barely keep them open!!

After a looooooong day at the beach (like from 10am to 6pm!), we headed back to our site and started dinner....

Fried chicken on the camp stove!

 It. Was. Good. 

Just ask Jacob ;D

Zack & I started camping back in college, and then we camped a lot when the girls were little, but we haven't done as much of it over the last few years.  But after this weekend, we are really excited to get back to our roots and camp as much as we can this summer!  We already have a trip booked in less than 2 weeks, and then another is in the works for the middle of July.  At the end of July, we have a week planned camping at the beach in Destin, Florida, and we can't wait!!!  What a great way to spend real quality time....no t.v., no Wii or X-Box, no computers......

just family :D