Camping!

G's department organized a camping outing to Jellystone in the Dells. We had not been camping since C. was about a year and a half old, and we were excited to see how the other two enjoyed it.

We arrived Friday night and had a nice, leisurely supper with colleagues. Here's M, trying out the Dora sleeping bag with a friend: The kids enjoyed making s'mores over the campfire, even though T's first one caught on fire, causing him to run like a madman all around that wide-open field you see behind the van: I taught him the slow, gentle way to toast marshmallows and he got it right. :)

Though it took a long time for the kids to settle down, everyone eventually fell asleep in the tent. I wouldn't recommend this campground--it was right off the freeway and right near two county roads where noisy trucks seemed to drag race all night! No one slept very well.

We got up early on Saturday and headed to Devil's Lake State park for a hike. We took a two-hour hike that was almost all up or down the cliffs! yowch! Beautiful views, though!

If we didn't look so grungy, this one would be a good Xmas card photo:

Check out the walking stick on T's hat:
And here's the whole crew--except the organizer, who had gone on ahead with her son:

As soon as we finished the hike, it started raining, and did not let up. We had promised the kids a visit to the "water park" on the grounds, so we went swimming (and did the water slides) in the rain. We then tried to wait it out by visiting the outlet mall near the campground, but eventually gave up and drove home.

It really felt nice to shower and sleep in our own beds last night! I think we might try camping again, but in a more secluded place, and with friends of all the kids (T. was a bit bored at the campground).