One of the activities on our Summer Bucket List was to take some family camping trips. During the month of August we went on two camping trips. One with my grandparents and one with my closest friends. {Did you get a chance to read this article I shared on Facebook about finding a mom tribe? Here is the link to the actual post over at The Stay-At-Home-Mom Survival Guide. }
This part of the post will be a little photo heavy, but hey, they are cute photos! 🙂
We went camping with my grandparents during the beginning of August. It was a “rustic” campground meaning no water or bathrooms, just outhouses and a couple water pumps scattered throughout the park. Gram had decided that this pregnant lady wasn’t allowed to sleep in the tent so I got special treatment and was allowed to sleep in the camper. It actually worked out rather nicely because the first night it poured. Ben and the boys were real men and roughed it out in the tent. 🙂
Pa made some good coffee in the mornings and we sat by the fire while it was cool to chat. Otherwise we tried to hide in the shade and spent a bit of time at the small beach area. Gram and I also spent some time doing crossword puzzles. I think we finished one the whole weekend. It was hard to find one that had clues that we knew. 🙂
Pa taught the boys how to play the bean bag toss game. They had lots of fun with that. They did bend the rules a little though.
I’ve been blessed with some amazing people for grandparents. I love hearing their stories and their wisdom. They have come through a lot in their lives and their change of direction and their heart for Jesus Christ is evident in all they do. I’m so glad that we got a chance to spend time in the great outdoors with them!!
Our second camping trip was with some dear friends of ours. As mommas we really all connected when our oldest boys were born. I was invited to our local Community Bible Study and placed in the pregnant/nursing/Babes in Arms class and that is where we really connected and became friends. It’s been a few years now and it is amazing to see how each family has grown and what God has been doing in our lives.
I slept in the tent on an air mattress at almost 32 weeks and it was great! Honestly, I slept really good. I think it was the cool night air that did the trick. No hurting hips or back in the morning so I told Ben we needed to take off the mattress on our bed at home and put the air mattress in it’s place….he didn’t go for that idea though. 🙁
The dads’ built an awesome swing over the lake that entertained all of the littles {9 so far between the three families, not counting BabyT#3} for the morning before the campground host came to ask us to take it down because it was a liability. 🙁 The entertainment then changed to riding bikes in the water, collecting shells and eating snacks.
Our campsites were in the perfect location. We had sites on one side of the road and our fire pits were on the other with the lake right there so we could sit by the fire, drink coffee and talk or we were able to put the littles to bed and then go sit around the fire and stay up late with the adults while still being in hearing distance of the children. {One night Cameron decided to practice his makeup skills and use my mascara…. that was a fun discovery.}
Summer Bucket List Update:
Did we get it all done? It was close but there were a few things that didn’t get accomplished. But I am excited for all that we did do. We made lots of memories as a family of four. 🙂
The bold items are ones that we accomplished.
*picnics
*swimming
*camping
*fishing
*trip to the zoo
*hiking
*beach days
*fireworks
*National Baby Food Festival
*pick berries- picked strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
*put as much fresh produce away for fall and winter as we can- we’re still working on this
*siding on the house
*kitchen counters
*curtains and pillows for the our bedroom
*spend the summer enjoying the last summer as a family of four- definitely a success!!
*run a couple road races- Ben and I ran one so together we did a couple right 😉
*workout DVDS 2-3 times a week- I’ve been able to keep this up pretty consistently by making sure I get the workouts on the calendar but if I’m not feeling the best on a day I’ll skip it.
*school with Seth because we will be taking a couple of months off after BabyT#3 is born- we’re still doing this and probably will until BabyT#3 is born.
*reading program at the library- the boys loved going to the library and claiming their prizes. I usually let them choose a few books of their own but I still choose the majority of the reading material.
Were you able to accomplish everything on your Summer Bucket List?
How is your fall looking? Are you back into routine yet or will it take you a while?
Love it, Rebekah! Such precious summer memories. I. Love. Camping. We pretty much knocked of everything on our summer list…now we’re working on the fall version! Blessings on the rest of your days as a quartet ! 🙂
Camping is my favorite family activity as well. I grew up camping several times each summer and it is definitely a memory I want to make with my family.
Just finished my goal list for September, but I don’t have such fun things planned. Except cuddling BabyT#3. ..maybe that is more exciting. 😉
Such special memories, we went camping once this summer, if it was up to me, I would have gone every weekend, there is just something about the air, the relaxing moments that makes me want to go
It is so relaxing!! I <3 everything about it!
You are one brave mama going camping that far along in your pregnancy! I went at 16 weeks and that was the end of that for me:) The pictures are awesome!
I have pretty easy pregnancies so I try to keep up with I the things we would normally do as much as possible.
Thanks! I’m trying to use my camera more… photography is an area I would like to improve in for sure!
I love the photos it looks like you had a great time. We have never gone camping as a family but I’m thinking my boys would really enjoy it and as spring has just started in the Southern Hemisphere. We will definitely add this to our list
We did have lots of good family time! I hope you and your family have a chance to get out and enjoy some time together this summer!
Thanks for linking to Kristin Helms’ “Mom Tribe” post on my blog, Rebekah! It is such an important tip for moms-no matter how new or experienced. Looks like you had a fun Summer! Take care!
We did have a packed summer, it was so good! I’m thankful for all the oppurtunities that the Lord gave for us to spend time together as a family.
I loved the article. Couldn’t share it enough!! Thanks for coming by!
It sure looks like you had a nice camping trip! I’m glad you were able to sleep well because it can be difficult even on a regular mattress. It also sounds like you had a wonderful summer- you accomplished so much on your bucket list!
We had great weather and loved our time spent with family and friends!
I was a little nervous about sleeping on the air matress but it turned out great! 😉
You did a really great job on your summer bucket list! Way to go! Looks like you guys had two great camping trips too. So nice to spend it with your grandparents and all those kids on the second one looks like so much fun.
Thanks!!
It was a great time with family and friends! The littles played so well together this year so that made it much easier. 😉
I’ve been meaning to head over and check out your Summer Bucket List update and goals for the fall. Hoping for a chance tomorrow!
Love the bucket list! We need to go camping. It has been so long for us! Your photos looked so fun for camping 🙂
Thanks Tessa! I wanted to have things that would involve everyone and be fun for everyone. 🙂
Get out there and go camping!! You won’t regret it!
Looks like you all had a great time. You are much braver than I, I don’t think I could have handled camping this summer while pregnant.
I’m so thankful we had cool weather this summer! I don’t know how much longer I would have wanted to wait to go camping- as far as weeks of pregnancy go. I’m so glad these trips were planned when I was still sleeping good and not worrying about how close we were to a hospital in case BabyT#3 makes an early appearance.