We went camping for the first time in two years last weekend and had a blast of a time. We went with our friends Amy and Steve, who have kiddos that are Bella and Noah’s age.

We set up camp in the lovely spot next to the lake. We brought the weed whacker to help clear a nice spot for us. This was also the place we went camping at a few years ago and there was a rattler just feet from our tent. So I thought that clearing a spot was the smart thing to do so we could watch where we were treading.

We got all set up– shade tents, bbq grill, tent city, etc. The kids were having a great time. But the Park Rangers came around and told us we had to move because we were camping in a prohibited area and we were breaking the rules by even stepping on the grass. Good thing she wasn’t there to see us when we were weed whacking it down. Oops.

So we had to move but there were no camping spots left except at an RV park, which totally defeats the purpose of camping, don’t ya think? We went anyways and made the best of it. There were older folks there, so we were the youngsters. Everyone was quiet and in bed by 9 pm! We surely weren’t. We sang by the fire, chased the kids around until they finally zonked (which was after 10, as they were all wired up on marshmallows), and then broke out the drinks and adult laughs. I haven’t gotten tipsy in a long time, but I sure did that night. I was all giggly and stupid, but feeling youthful and funloving! We had a steep hill right by our campsite and we all rolled down the hill, did sommersaults, made silly dares. Amy dared me and Jeremy to roll down the hill together and when we did, I knocked my head into a rock really hard! I knew if I weren’t tipsy that it would have been super painful but I just jumped right up like nothing happened and went for another roll. The next morning I woke with sticks and twigs all tangled in my hair, red wine splattered all over my white shirt, and the worst headache ever. I don’t know if it was from the wine or the concussion I probably gave myself by hitting my head on that rock. What goof-balls! Amy and I went for a walk once we got up to go brush our teeth in the restroom and went past the hill we had so much fun playing on the night before. She said, “Steph, do you remember how big that hill looked last night?” It was microscopic with sober eyes! I couldn’t believe how we had acted like we were brave cliffhangers, doing our drunken acrobatics on this wee, tiny little hill. I guess this is what happens when you don’t get out of the house much!

The kids made quick work of our tent. I slept with toys as pillows, hotdog pieces and marshmallows stuck to my cheeks and hair, and crumbs from goodness knows what in my sheets. But I slept sooooo good with all my kiddos curled under the comforter like little pigs in a blanket. They snuggled and nuzzled warmly all night, hiding from mosquitos and the desert cold.

Here’s Bella and Maggie coming down from their smores high…

Steve played us some Oh Brother Where Art Thou folk music on his guitar. Made me close my eyes and remember how wonderful the South sounds…

I can also close my eyes and thank God for Colorado, no matter how homesick I get. This is a beautiful and amazing place to call home, and goodness knows we’re havin’ fun!