We Did It! Lake Santa Margarita

We had a ton of questions coming in to this trip: how would we (Huelan) sleep, how would the kids get along, what was the drive going to be like.... it was endless.  Throw in the fact that Liz and I have never been camping together and what we ended up with was a couple of weeks of semi-anxious prep.  If it wasn't for the fact we've been so busy with Easter, weddings, showers, and birthdays, it might have actually been stressful.

But as it happened, this turned out to be an easy trip.  Of course it took some prepping- gathering supplies, packing clothes, and smoking meat- but we relied heavily on Omar's checklist to ease the anxiety.  

The campground was simple and all that we needed.  The drive-up camp spots allowed us to quickly unload gear (though knowing this made packing lean a little more difficult).  Before we knew it, tents were pitched, spots around the fire ring were staked out, and kids were exploring the hillside.  Grandma had the brilliant suggestion that we bring Huelan's bucket, and she had it filled in the first 20 minutes.

Camping is unique in that we weren't just getting out of the house, but it felt like we were really getting away- something totally different than our usual routine.  We were totally unscheduled and unplugged, which was a welcome change.  Didn't have to strap Huelan into a carseat all weekend!  

Of course the kids loved it.  With a meadow on one side and a grassy hill on the other, they had ample room to roam (though they were often content playing with a box in the gravel next to the car).  Throw in a short hike to the lake, a rabbit hunt, ladybugs, glow sticks, and marshmallow smores and the kids had plenty of stimulation.  Maybe a little too much at times- Huelan had one breakdown Saturday afternoon after missing her nap and passed out as Liz was carrying her back to camp (at six months pregnant, doesn't bat an eye at the idea of camping, quelling a tantrum, and carrying a passed out 3yo back up the hill- my vote for Ly Family MVP).  

But aside from that incident, which resulted in a 2-hour toddler coma, the kids got along smashingly, and most of the time it only took 1 or 2 adults to watch the entire gang.  Because isn't that the other part of getting the families together?  Not just letting the kids hang out and get to know one another, but letting the parents re-connect as well.  Of course it's fun and heartwarming to watch our kids hang out, play, explore and eat junk food together, but I think trips like this are just as much about getting the parents together, reminding  us that we're still people who crave good food and drink and laughter with good friends.  All the better if around a campfire.  

More Pics here, including liberal sampling from Cindy's Flickr album