Deep in the Woods

Actually, we were not deep in the woods, just barely in the trees but what a wonderful time we had camping! A recent Sunday after church, our clan of five plus my mom (mimi), dad (opa) and Auntie Hannah headed for Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Well, that is where mom and dad went. There is no camping at that state park so we had arranged to stay at a campground nearby. However, no one told my dad that! Brian, Hannah the kids and I arrived at the campground then phoned mom and dad so see when they would be arriving. Dad said they were just pulling in the State Park! After a hilarious phone conversation things were straightened out and our adventure began!

I think that this green two person tent of my parents is older than me. Actually it is a very cozy four person tent but we have a long running joke in our family that dad has been cramming all of us in a two person, that is how small it feels.

Monday we headed to Ha Ha Tonka and hiked to the castle ruins. It was beautiful!

Noah overlooking the Ozarks at the front of the castle. All of the kids did really well and seemed to really enjoy all of the hiking we did. We stopped for lunch at a shelter house in the State Park that had a super playground.

The happiest baby; Madeline looked like this almost the entire trip. I love these kids!


Of course, the highlight of any camping excursion, the food! Pictured are the cupcakes we devoured in celebration of Dad's birthday, but we enjoyed many delicious meals over the grill and even s'mores roasted by campfire. We had so much fun we are already thinking about our next camping adventure.