Beavers Bend Camping Trip

Hard to believe spring break is here again-I think I am as happy as the kids, we love the break.  For three night we headed out to Beavers Bend State Park to do a little camping....or I should say tenting.  I love camping, tenting....not quite so much especially when the potty's are dirty and the air mattress needs pumping every two hours.  Needless to say it was a wonderful time.  We took both the canoe and kayak so we could all float the river together.  This year Andrea was set on learning to paddle and rode in the kayak with Becca and Brayden to help paddle.  It is crazy to see the three together-they are all growing up.  We we arrived on Saturday the park was packed and it looked a little questionable that we might not find a site.  Thankfully we found a site not on top of others and along the river.  The kids had fun catching turtles, riding horses, riding a little train, hiking, making fires and just about everything camping, even getting to see and play with friends.  I think it was the dirtiest we had all been...even Becca started to be a little concerned about her hair the last day, which is a lot for her.  Lilly did great and loved sleeping in the tent all snuggled in between the kids. Brayden did a float trip with Ron with some waterfalls and rapids.  Brayden was a little leery to go and did actually end up falling off once but came back with a big smile on his face.  The boys also did some mountain biking for an afternoon.  Definitely a park with a lot to do!

 Everyone slept pretty well besides for me...having a deflating air mattress makes for a long night.  I think
Lilly thought she was in heaven sleeping on the bed in all the blankets!

 Pop tarts were a big hit...something the kids always want to get when we are shopping.  Hot dogs, campfire pies and smores, everything always tastes yummy when we are camping. It was fun having friends also camping at the same park, eight kids cooking marshmallows makes for a lively evening fire!

 Brayden enjoyed making fires with Ron, by the last morning we needed one as it was pretty chilly/COLD for this time of year.  Sooo glad we had taken some wood with us.

 Ron's hammock was too much fun, actually driving me nuts.  The kids love to flip and swing usually ending up on the ground with a loud thud. I remember doing the same thing in hammocks growing up, so much fun for those in it...not so much for those of us watching/listening.

James had a running commentary the entire ride.  Funniest thing he said or asked was regarding where the horses slept...he wondering where their crate was?  Andrea was all up for riding her own horse, she is so good with animals.  I was a little concerned when we stopped and her horse decided it wanted to wander out of line.  It didn't phase Andrea who used the reins to steer it back in place like no big deal.

 We did a short hike to the top of a cliff overlooking the river/campground.  Lilly was pretty exhausted much of the trip and was not ready to hike back down after making it to the top.

We saw tons of birds...this is by far my favorite.  The night was filled with chirping frogs, owls hooting and one night a pack of howling coyotes.