The kids (less Abigail) and I were the first to
arrive at Camp Zarahemla Thursday afternoon. We got ourselves situated into our cute little cabin (#2)
and waited for the other four families to arrive. We have camped at Zarahemla a handful of times over the
years and returned again last year.
We had so much fun that we booked the cabins again this year and invited
the rest of the Auburn gang to join us.
The Summers camped with us in 2015, but have since moved to Texas. We took a long shot and asked the Evans
(now living in Utah) to join us this year and were THRILLED when they accepted!
It didn’t take long for folks to get out on the
lake and enjoy the canoes. The
water was even lower this year than last.
Justin and Abigail didn’t arrive until late that
night – after all the younger kids were already in bed. Unfortunately, a burn-ban had just been
enforced just a few days before we arrived so we couldn’t enjoy our usual
evening campfires. We set out a
lantern in the middle of our circle and still stayed up chatting each night.
Last year we arrived on a Friday night and only had
one full day – Saturday – to enjoy.
I loved that this year we all came up on Thursday so we had two full
days together. Friday was
Abigail’s only full day as she had to be back home early Saturday for
volleyball commitments. Her time
with all of us was short, but she had a great time reconnecting with some
friends she’s known since she was just a wee-one. We referred to this group of girls as the 'big girls'.
Once again the hammocks were hours of fun - they
always seemed to have someone hanging around in them. Pretty sure we had a few boys sleeping in them at night as
well.
There was a lot of playing in the hammocks as well
– the kids got a really kick out of spinning themselves around in circles. We’re very, very lucky nobody had to
visit the emergency room over the weekend. (Though there was one cut foot that was a close call.)
Justin and I took Drew out on a canoe after
breakfast.
On our way back in we passed a couple canoes of
girls heading out.
When we got close to shore we noticed kids hanging
on the rope swing along the lake.
This would be our boy fully dressed.
The kids had lots of fun swinging on the rope –
most didn’t jump in the lake, some just dipped in their toes as they swung, and
there were a few that fell in on accident.
I
liked how Katie was squatted at the top of the hill watching the action.
Lots more canoe rides. Abigail and her friends made an long excursion out to an
island in the middle of the lake Friday afternoon. They packed up a bunch of snacks and spent several hours
out.
There wasn’t as much squirrel catching as in years
past, but the kids did create a little frog habitat.
We teamed up for joint dinners this year. I love not having to pack and prepare
every. single. meal. It was fun to
all gather together each evening and eat yummy food.
Carly and the other ‘middle girls’ slept together
in the tent on the right. We don’t
do sleepovers so that was a real treat for her.
My boys were able to sneak in a quick kayak ride
after dinner before the traditional talent show.
I don’t think the talent show quite measured up to
years past, but the middle girls (ages 11-12, less my non-performing daughter
Carly) sure had fun putting together funny skits.
Even the boys (including mine!) put together a
little skit.
Justin and Abigail were up at the crack of dawn
(4am-ish) Saturday morning so Abigail could attend an all day volleyball
event/practice. Thankfully,
Justin’s Dad was willing to meet him so Justin didn’t have to drive all the way
the Bellevue and back. Justin was
already back at camp shortly after the rest of us woke up.
The weather was perfect all weekend. So much fun to be had…
Our cute little cabin #2
Justin brought back each of the kids a big Gatorade. Drew held onto that thing most of the
day.
Typically the adults play lots of games when we get
together, but there wasn’t much of that going on this weekend. There was an intense Wackee Sixes match
though.
So Zarahemla is a dirty campground. Not much grass, but lots of dirt and
dust. Camping with little ones in
tough – we’ve done it every year with every possible age. The Andros’ are the best at just
letting their kids be kids. Little
Miss Jocie sure had a blast and was covered in dirt 95% of the time. BTW, that’s a ball of some type of
candy in her hand that she munched on.
It’d fall on the ground and she’d just pick it up and munch away on
whatever twig or grass was stuck on it too. Such a happy girl!
We went on a little hike Saturday evening. It’s nice to be at a point where us
adults can take off and that the kids will be fine in our absence. Drew was actually napping – he napped
for several hours each day and slept like a champ at night. Katie and Leah were the only two kiddos
that wanted to join the adults.
Some of my most favorite ladies!
The five us now live in four different areas – so
glad we were able to get our families together for a few days.
The gentlemen – Jared (to the right of Jon) had to
leave this afternoon to get Hunter to sports commitments.
What a fun group!
There was the coolest sunset tonight. The clouds were amazing!
I was in charge of bringing desserts for both
nights and was excited to figure out a way around the burn ban so we could still
have smores. Yum, yum!
Sunday morning arrived far too soon and it was time
to head back home. We packed up
and showered so we could catch sacrament on the way home. We pulled into a completely empty
church parking lot just minutes before the meeting was supposed to start. Must have been stake conference or
something – oh well, at least we tried :)
Until next time!
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