The Last Day of Summer

The last day of summer 2012 has arrived.  We wanted to make sure that we squeezed in every last ounce of fun that was possible, and finished the kids Summer Fun lists.  This weekend we did just that when we took our family and some friends up to Hueston Woods State park for some camping! 

Rod and I were a little nervous about the experience because camping is a lot of preparation which can be worthwhile or your children can scream all 8 hours while you wrestle in a tiny tent on top of rocks.  Luckily, we had a fantastic time, so much so that we will going back very soon!  

The campground was beautiful, not too far of a drive and had all kinds of fun outdoor things at our finger tips.  We stayed 2 nights, and didn't manage to see nearly everything.  The kids were so excited about the trip and loved helping to prepare the foods over the fire place, and sliding down the dirt hills in the campground.  

The kids loved helping prepare dinner Kabobs, they dipped in BBQ and skewered all the veggies.

Chicken BBQ Kabobs over the fire

Breakfast muffins cooked in oranges.

They took nature hikes with the dad's, and even found a giant VINE to swing from.  (so wish there had been a camera!) I understand that this was beyond awesome! Just 200 feet or so from our campsite was a bunch of swings, and even more children to play with.  The first evening the kids played until nightfall.  Caily made friends with a little boy a few campsites down who she liked SO much that she gave him a big hug and goodnight kiss.   Later in the trip we had a little raccoon visitor. 

Raccoon's left evidence of their visit

 Our group, which consisted of 4 adults and 3 kiddos, spent almost the entire next day enjoying the beach. Yes, the BEACH in Ohio. I am not joking. We were unsure about how nice this was going to be but to our absolute delight, it was not only gorgeous, but the beach sand was soft and clean (freshly raked) and the water was shallow enough for the kids to have a lot of room to safely play.  The water was not Caribbean see-through blue, but there were fish. The little ones seemed to love this part of the trip the very best, and we spent hours and hours here, the kids played, the adults played and it the perfect way to spend a Saturday!

Next we headed to a fishing demonstration where they provided poles, hooks and bait for the kids to fish with.  I was expecting a little more hands on demonstration, but it was still worth the experience.  Caily has been asking all summer for me to take her fishing and this proved to be the perfect chance. Unfortunately, fishing requires so much patience.... :)  Nobody caught anything this time.  

All three kiddos casting a line

Learning to bait a hook with live worms.  The Camp Ranger was surprised when Caily jumped at the chance to hold the worm and bait the hook herself.

Caily with her friend Brayden

Wondering where in the world all the Blue Gill are!

Surprisingly being 6 months pregnant, really didn't slow me down too much.  When we pulled in, the camp workers did mention something about being able to deliver a baby, lol.  I assured them, that, simply--that wouldn't happen :)

If it weren't for the lack of flushing toilets---we may have never left! Everyone played so hard that naps all around were the first thing on the agenda when we got home.  Shockingly, even the little girl is down for a nap. (Its been well over a year since that happened!) Now...if only the van would unpack itself, I would deem this weekend perfect.