Dirt, Wine, Fire, Water and FOOD. And More Dirt.

It was another weekend full of camping memories for us. This past trip landed us at the Sunrise Resort at Page Springs, which exceeded our expectations. Dylan and I agreed that it is our favorite camp spot to date. Since we couldn't depart from home until Friday afternoon, it was so nice to have a reserved spot, and it's always helpful when you don't have to pack your own water and electricity. For a low fee and some close-by neighbors, it's really the only way to do a 2-nighter. We had three families in our group, and we each got spots next to each other and right along the river.

The kids spent most of the time on the muddy peninsula, just below camp. Other than that, we visited Page Spring Cellars and the nearby fish hatchery. We were treated to the best fish tacos I've ever had on Friday night by the Birds and rib-eyes on the grill on Saturday by the Fanns. For our share, we offered up a breakfast burrito bar, yogurt parfaits, cereal and bagels on both mornings. Oh and Bloody Marys, just because anything goes when you're camping. Needless to say, we ate like kings, drank like champs and undoubtedly came home a few pounds heavier. Camping involves a lot of prep...and afterward, a full afternoon of unloading and laundry. But, it has never not been worth it.

But before I post my 41 photos from camping, please see Graham's class photo (hahahahaha) and the owl in our front yard. I apologize for their randomoness, but they're just photos worth posting, and I didn't want to forget about them.

Something about a "class photo" with a bunch of babies is so hilarious to me.

This cracked out owl lives on our chimney and has been hoo-hooing every night, all night, for months. It's kind of cool, but I don't even want to know the condition of our roof.

And, without further ado, here we are on our second camp trip of the season.

This one, who is typically always causing trouble or crying to be held, sat like a perfect angel on the steps eating a PB&J while we set up camp.

I've never seen him be in one place for so long. I had to photograph him from two different angles.

And still, he sat. So big brother and I joined him for a selfie.

But then he realized that this was a much more fun way to spend the afternoon.

The kids wasted no time going down to the water and getting filthy. Graham was so happy in the mud...and when he's happy we let him be. So, he was covered in mud all weekend.

Enjoying a morning bottle...because he's still a baby to me, and I'm a pushover.

Eating pre-breakfast, since we're always awake hours before anybody else.

As long as they were covered in dirt or mud, they were happy.

Oh, this handsome face.

Brotherly love and matching swim trunks.

I don't know what it was about this trip, but Gavin's butt crack was visible like 90% of the time.

Bringing the children to a winery, as people tend to do.

Playing chess while the adults tried several varieties of wine and a charcuterie board.

6-week-old Baby Reid was such a trooper.

Graham loved the view of Page Springs from the winery.

Gavin and Presley really went to town on the chess pieces.

Bocce ball with Big D.

Buying time with Dum-Dums

It was a very busy morning at the winery, and somehow we locked down this prime spot to park it with the kiddos.

Graham joined us on a winery tour while Gavin hung back on the Bocce court, with supervision from the Birds.

Gavin and Beck at the fish hatchery.

Cool/Gross.

The essence of camping.

Enjoying a cheese stick after one of his many hose-downs.

These two were fast friends.

Dylan sponsored a treasure hunt for these two, which lasted most of the morning.

The troops hiking back up to camp from the peninsula.

Making "soup."

Doesn't get much sweeter than this!

A lunch date for these two.

Head to toe mud for two straight days.

S'mores time!

Snack King!

It's always difficult to leave camp after just two nights, but work and life made demands from us on both ends of the weekend. We hadn't spent time with the Fanns in such a long time. They've been busy with a brand new baby and life...like we all are. Baby and Mom were both troopers and got in on all the fun! It was so fun to see the bigger kids play together all day long. We are all just so happy when we're camping, and I know that these are the types of memories the kids will hang on to for life. Gavin asked me no less than 10 times, "Why do we have to go home on Sundays?"

On this trip, I decided to shack up with Gavin. He's been sleeping on the master bed because it's all enclosed, so he can't fall off the bed. Plus, we can keep it dark, giving us the highest possibility that he'll actually sleep. It's MUCH more comfortable than the pull-out bed, though, so I snuck in with him for the first time ever, and we both slept the best we have since he's been born, I think. I've never been one for co-sleeping, but we'll have to try it again. Every time I get a ton of sleep...which isn't terribly often, I always tell myself to remember how good it feels and how much it improves life. I felt like a new person today. Plus, with this set-up, we could keep our sofa and table set up the whole time, which was so convenient.

We've had a nice, 3-week run of no travel for Dylan. I think that's the longest amount of time we've had him home since last summer. It was so, so nice. Tomorrow we'll have to shift into our alternate way of living, and I'm sure we'll be just fine, but I'm already ready for next weekend!