Back Up A Little

I got a little ahead of myself yesterday, but I had to post on the boys first day of school. They did great, by the way, and had lots of stories to tell. They both seemed very excited when they got home - tired, but excited! Ronnie liked that he got to write in cursive and Nathaniel like recess and PE "Oh, and math was fun too".

But again I am getting ahead of myself. Last week we had the opportunity to have a mini vacation of sorts. Remember this past July was our first vacation in a very long time, if ever, when we went to Grandma and Grandpa Adkins house for a whole week. It was lots of fun. Well, when we got home, my parents had rented a cottage on Big Turkey Lake (in Indiana) for the month of August (to finish off dad's sabbatical). So they invited us to come up for a few days. The boys were beyond excited and they had no idea what going to the Lake meant.

I'll take several posts to show you all our fun with mom and dad, but I thought I better start with the camping. The boys have been wanting to camp all summer and it just hasn't worked out, but finally they were putting up the tent. (Note: the big house in the background is not "our cottage". That's what you calling "really roughing it" at the lake).

Finally with some teamwork, the tent was up.

Eli was probably the most excited. This would be his first time to get to sleep in the tent! He was beyond himself with excitement.

Even Sissy got to check it out before the sleeping bags were put in. We actually bought this tent for Ronnie a few years ago with the hopes of buying more that would attach as the years went on, and wouldn't you know it, soon after we bought it they stopped making them and we could find no more! It's a little small, but the guys had fun!

Below, Daddy, Ronnie and Nathaniel are enjoying the fire. Eli wasn't ready to settle down yet. If you look close you can see him up by the cottage on a little bike.

Finally, it's bed time!

The boys camped out for 2 nights. On the second night, mom and I helped out. We made pizza pockets and smores! The smores were a first for the boys and they loved them.

I'm almost too impatient to roast marshmallows, but finally I got enough for everybody.

Nathaniel thought it was worth the wait!

Then more enjoying the fire, before bed.

The boys all agreed it was a great time of camping. It was cool and peaceful and fun to hear the waves crashing in on the lake at times too! Fun Times!