The great camp out

We have been wanting to camp out at Ensign ranch for a long time now.  So, finally this summer I made the reservations and was determined.  Matt couldn’t take that much time off so I came up with the great idea of the children and I heading over on Tuesday and then he would meet us on Fri.  Come Thursday I was wondering how great this idea actually was…….

We packed everything in and on the way I realized that I had forgotten some things but at this point I was not turning back.

We were pretty packed in there.  We had a comment once we were there and all set up that asked “how did you get all of that in that vehicle”?  Practice…….

The kids and I did great though and I am so very proud of us!!!  Seri was a terrific help in getting the tents up. 

All day Tuesday I kept hearing “If Dad were here………..”  until finally both Seri and I had it and informed him that Dad was not here and if he said it one more time………..

Wednesday went well, however the novelty of camping had worn off and the comment this day was “I am bored”, that comment was given the response of, “if you say it one more time I will pack everything up and we will go home”.

I think this comment was generated out of the disappointment that I would not let them swim in the lake (which was full of leeches) or ride horses.  As a smart mom who is by herself with five children, two of whom are two and under I decided neither of these activities were in my best interest.

Thursday evening after I had gotten everyone in the tent and were starting to go to sleep we heard people right outside our tent.  Turns out we got neighbors!!  They had six children and the kids were ecstatic to finally have other children to play with!

Friday morning after chatting with the neighbors we realized that I knew the mother from Institute classes when I went to CWU.  It was nice to meet her family and catch up on what had happened in our lives and those of other people we knew while the children ran around and had a great time.

After it having been hot and sunny all week, early Friday evening it began to rain.  The neighbor family was trying to have a birthday party for their one year old and the rain was not cooperating, so we put up our other canopy and invited them over.  Our covering for a great piece of pineapple upside down cake, I think we got the best end of the deal!!!!

They also had a family member who was fantastic with the children!  He spent a good deal of time playing with them and then later in the evening when we couldn’t find Isaac it turns out he was in their tent listening to some very animated stories.  Thank you to the man who has the talent of entertaining children!!  They loved playing with you and listening to your stories.

Sariah, Isaac and Tristan eagerly await their turn.

Daddy finally arrived and we were all very relieved and excited to see him.

Saturday the children finally got to ride the horses….

While they were riding, Tristan decided that there were more important things to do……

 

Sariah really loved the horses.

Why does it seem that when children want to help you and insist on it they are usually to little to really be effective, then when they are old enough to be effective they are no longer interested in helping?  One of life’s big mysteries.

And of course, the best part about this trip was the gigantic slip and slide!!!  It was so much fun!  WE spent a large portion of our time here and I think you can tell why.  Even on Saturday when it started pouring  buckets we kept a-sliding.

The best thing was to make chains and go down.  The children always seemed to manage to find other children to con into doing this.  Mike is at the end, Isaac is in front of the boy with the blue shirt and Seri is in the middle in the black shirt.

There was also the Yakima river that ran through the camp ground.  We had fun playing in it and the older children tubed down it.  Seri’s glasses became a victim of it’s raging waters.

Sunday we packed up camp and then headed to Cle Elum for church.  After church we were on our way home.

We had a fantastic time and are planning on going again next year.

We are so blessed in Washington to have a ton of camp grounds that are church owned and run.  A friend of ours mentioned that they never camp at church properties, I was surprised because that seems to be the only place we camp.

-The sites are always beautifully maintained and run

-they are generally much cheaper than other camp grounds. (we paid ten dollars a night , not per person)

-All the equipment rentals and activities are free (with the exception of the horse rides. Seri’s hour trail was fifteen and the children’s were three dollars. Still a bargain!)

- The missionaries who run them are always polite and helpful and well go out of their way to ensure your experience is nothing but the best

-the firewood is free

-And the biggest thing for me is that I know my children are in a safe environment.  There is no one there drinking, partying, smoking, or walking around in highly inappropriate clothing.  All the other campers are more than willing to help out if needed and I know that they are helping to watch my children and keep them safe.

-You make great friends.  When we got there we ran into a family who was leaving and they went to our co-op last season.  Weds and Thurs we met a family with four children and became attached.  They gave Isaac one of their tubes when his popped.  Then our neighbors came and we loved having them there.

-All church owned properties have a ward nearby where you can crash on Sunday and they don’t say anything if you show up in jeans because you forgot church clothes (dear….).

I encourage everyone to give the church-owned properties a try, you will love it.  Not everyone has the chance to have these camp grounds and we should all be taking advantage of them.