camping

We discovered the next morning that Jason forgot to grab the life vests... so Kaiden and I drove back home to grab them (good thing Lake Roosevelt is only 1 hour from our house).  While we were gone Jason and Connor launched the boat, docked it and met a really nice guy (Brian) with his daughter at the dock.  He happened to be waiting for his wife and son to return to camp too.  We found out they also have a new puppy and she broke her leg, which is why his wife and son were late.  My phone (AT&T) was the only phone that got service at camp, so we let him use it several times to check on his puppy and family to see what was going on.  We invited them to join us at our camp site that night, along with Jason's friend Paul from work, who camped with us for a few days.  We had so much fun visiting with them!  Great company and lots of laughs.  Kaiden loved hanging out with his daughter, Samantha. 

Paul brought his Corn Hole game that he made.  We all had fun playing that... I might need to make us one now.

Playing the Headbands game.  Then going for a walk to check out the museum.

Checking out the ammunition building, where Jason discovered a bat.

Playing at the beach next to the dock.  We were all skipping rocks and looking for creatures.  More frogs!  Jason and Paul decided to go tubing.

3rd camping trip this summer

The boys and I went to pick out a camp site on Thursday as soon as Connor was done with his summer reading group.  Jason was out of town for work, but got back around 9:00pm Thursday, so he met up at the camp site.  We had the entire camp site set up.  Jason just had to bring the boat and the totes that were stored on the boat... which we discovered had the lanterns.  I had to set up some lights in the tent until dad arrived with the real lights.  The boys and I took Piper for a couple mile hike around the lake.  Along the way we saw some deer and pheasants.  Unfortunately this was the last night to have a camp fire due to the dry conditions and multiple fires burning in the area.

camping

exploring more beaches on lake Roosevelt.

Above, our new 8 person tent, which is perfect!  There is room from 2 queen size air mattresses.  1 on each side for Jason and I and the boys.  Then there is a luggage/storage area that pops out behind the tent, which is a perfect space for piper's collapsible kennel.  Jason and I have a great system in place.  He drops me and the boys off at the camp site with the gear.  Then I set up the tent, shaded dinning area, chairs, etc. while he launches the boat and docks it.  By the time he gets back to camp I've got almost everything set up and ready to relax and enjoy.
Below, Piper found a hole on the outskirts of our camp site that she became obsessed with digging in. She must have spent an hour digging in this hole.

Camping

Our second camping trip this summer.  Since we all had so much fun camping the first time, we bought some new camping gear to try out.  We decided to stick with Lake Roosevelt for this summer and camp at Fort Spokane since it's close (1 hour drive) and we're familiar with the area.  Boating, exploring new beaches, Connor searching for crawdads and frogs, Kaiden building sand castles, Piper looking for sticks or anything she can find, Jason snorkeling and swimming by the shoreline, me relaxing and keeping an eye on everyone...

 Above, Kaiden getting some driving directions from dad.  Jason has taught Connor how to drive the boat just in case something were to happen and Connor needed to rescue dad (and it's great for him to learn).  Now it's Kaiden's turn to learn the basics of driving.  He loves it.
Below, a deer literally walked right up on our camp site and then wondered around us.  The boys had no idea since they were playing in the hammock.  Connor likes to sit in the hammock and draw.  Kaiden just likes to be right next to his big brother.  We had another awesome and relaxing camping trip!  It's so much fun to spend quality time with my family and explore new beaches.