We've been trying to figure out a weekend when we could camp with our friends Shannyn and Brent to go camping. They were planning a weekend with some other friends, Alyson and Tom, and so we all met up at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Reserver in nearby Lino Lakes.
The other two have just over 12 month olds and wanted to try camping with them. We of course agreed to come along. I was thinking the campsite would be like 40 minutes maybe an hour away. Yea it was like 20 minutes.
We didn't end up bringing the canoe, but we did bring our animal crackers.
I'm so jealous of their van.
When we arrived Meadow said, "Why are we so close to other people?" I guess it has been awhile since we've stayed at a traditional campground.
Shortly after we arrived it was sunset. That could only mean camp fire...
and smores.
Meadow had already put herself to bed. I told her there were s'mores and she came right back.
In the morning we woke up to a camp fire and breakfast burritos. Alyson prepped them at home, froze them and then heated the burritos up over the fire. Genius.
They were tasty. The early risers had already eaten.
And delicious.
Opting for the Cheerios is such a Meadow move as of late.
Also not eating with everyone else.
We then walked over to the beach for a little swim.
My foot was just getting better from cutting it in the water back at the cottage, so I just enjoyed the beach.
Back at the campsite, Alexander missed Meadow's birthday party so they brought her her gift. A Yeti in my Spaghetti game. Meadow loved it! That was so nice of them to get her a gift.
Meadow wanted watermelon, so I started to cut it with Brent's crazy camp knife. Then everyone proceeded to make fun of how I cut watermelon. This is the story of my life.
None of us were quite sure of his method.
It was enjoyed by all.
Brent had a growler from HammerHeart Brewing just down the road. I had to get some sausage, so I picked up a growler of smoked hefeweizen. Strange, but good.
I tried to take a nap in the tent. That didn't quite go so well.
When I got back I whipped up some Italian sausage and collards pasta. Because that's what I make when I camp.
All the adults seemed to enjoy it. The kids stuck with mac and cheese.
It seems only Meadow thinks her dad is cool. The other two acted like a teenagers and shooed me away.
Little Allister decided to take a seat right in the dishpan.
These square marshmallows are absurd, but that's ok, I guess.
I had no idea s'more marshmallows were a thing.
Everyone's always mesmerized by Meadow's fireworks light.
At some point in the middle of the night Meadow woke up and started crying. Then she cried some more. And some more. Brooke got so fed up she drove her home.
I told her she needed to stop or we were going home. She didn't stop so home we went. I swear she only acts this way whenever we are camping close to other people.
I was amazed when I returned to get Scott to see how many people had already packed up and left.
I woke up awkwardly to a camp with no wife and daughter. Boy, was I happy when they came back to pick me up. The moral of the story is that even diehard campers have nights where their camp kids just won't stop crying. Or something.
It was still fun and we need to do this again every year.
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