Birthday Camping
  A few weeks ago was my birthday, and we chose to continue the tradition from last year and went camping. It was so much fun! I have to give credit where credit is due, and it wouldn't have been as fun had I not had so much wonderful family who helped make it so enjoyable. My dad is the master camper and packer, and my mom provided all the yummy food. My sister also helped with all the preparations and having her there was a treat in and of itself (her husband joined us for the second night). Andrew's family helped babysit my two oldest kids so we could enjoy camping without having to watch little ones. We camped at sunrise campground in Garden City, UT, not for from Logan and Bear Lake. It was a beautiful spot. Unlike most moms my age, I actually love camping and roughing it in the outdoors. Especially when you have wonderful parents who tend to all the logistics of the trip :) I can't say thank you enough. It was a much needed break and vacation. We did however, bring along this little bundle of fun. I was actually excited to bring him since he is such a love/snuggle-bug. We had to stop in Logan since one of my dad's tents malfunctioned, and we picked up a new one at wal-mart. This is where Karsten got his first shopping cart-ride. I love how he is holding on tight from all angles! What a goof.

My parents and my sister had pretty much set up camp by the time we arrived (we left after Andrew got off work that day). My mom had prepared a wonderful birthday meal of steak and campfire roasted potatoes and corn. But first, Karsten felt it appropriate to 'mark' the campground, so any wild animals would know this was his territory and not to come close (notice my sister's fabulous photography skills!!)

 

 

 all clean!!

 

 how adorable is he???

Okay, back to camping (my pictures again)

 

 

About an hour after we got there we got Karsten ready for bed. Andrew was worried he was going to be cold so we made sure he was extra bundled up!

 

 It wasn't long before he was 'out cold', and his hat had slipped over his eyes :)

We enjoyed the evening relaxing and going to the look-out-point overseeing Bear Lake. It was beautiful. I don't have the same charming reviews about the outhouse on our campground, but we will leave it at that :)

 

 

 

The next morning we woke up after a pretty good nights sleep and got in a morning cuddle with our little baby!

 

That morning we went for a walk to the look out point again with my parents

 

 

 

 We spent the rest of the morning relaxing and playing games

 

 the wildlife... wild turkeys. Our camper next door thought they were very interesting!

 

 

 And yes, the cherry spitting contest. No camping trip is complete without it. This picture is priceless. Love it.

 And the community squirrel. These little critters like to drop all sorts of stuff on your tent at night to try to keep you awake!

In the afternoon we all loaded up in the car (poor andrew loaded up in the trunk so we would only have to take 1 car) and we headed down to the lake. Love his face!

 We drove to the north side of the lake where there is a man-made beach. And it felt like the real thing! It was so much fun. And just to prove how cool my parents are, look at this picture!! Who wouldn't want a picture like this of their parents??? Way to go mom and dad!

 

 

 

On our drive back we stopped to get some famous raspberry shakes

Then we headed back to camp to prepare dinner. It was a group effort, but once again a huge success! My mom is not only a good home cook, but a fabulous camp-cook!

 

 

Sander joined us after dinner and we went on a late night hike. It got a little too dark and creepy for me, so we headed back halfway through the hike because we weren't sure if we were going the right way! Nonetheless it was fun.

 

And then.... we had a very long night! Poor little Karsten had a small cold before we left, and the cold mountain air exasperated his little cough. He (and consequently our whole campground) lay awake for most of the night tending to a coughing baby. We ended up sleeping him in his car seat so he was a bit more upright. Of course I had forgotten to pack his booger sucker... Here are some pictures of the morning after... lots of tired faces!!

 

 

Then we went on one last morning hike (in the daylight this time!) before packing up camp

 and now he falls asleep....

 

 

 

 

It was such a fun, relaxing trip. And we all decided we are for sure doing a Blom campout every summer from now on!!
Thank you for everything!!