At the end of October, we went camping at Huntsville State Park with our friends the Rileys. It was a terrific weekend for it, not hot at all, and mostly clear skies. It ended up being quite an answered prayer situation, because originally there was rain in the forecast, along with chilly temps, but it ended up just lightly raining overnight.
We got there and immediately set up tents, because we knew the kids would have a ball playing in there while we finished up everything else that needed to be done. And boy did they! Paige played peek-a-boo with anyone walking by (she kept covering her face with her shirt) and Charlotte, Parks, and Cana jumped their little hearts out on the air mattress.
It was pretty chilly, though, once the rain blew in with the front. We were perfectly warm in our tent with all four of us squeezed in, so we didn't notice. The rain was great background noise, and after an awesome crying fit from Paige, I think we all slept as well as you typically do when camping. In the morning, it had dropped into the upper 40's and there were many layers worn by all. We sported some pretty weird outfits, but at least we were toasty warm.
Our campsite was right across from the lake. Beautiful view.
This was the first (and only) hike we did. Everyone had so much fun. Parks was in charge of the map and he and Charlotte were out front for most of the hike. The trail we chose was a two-mile loop, but it took us a couple hours to complete it. Toddlers don't move at a lightning pace, and Paige investigated lots of things and insisted on walking while holding on to our hands.
About half-way though, Paige got tuckered out and took a short nap on Daddy's shoulder.
We stopped at a bridge and got some of the cutest pictures. Parks and Cana's really turned out well. Ours, not so much. Paige was furious that we tried to leave her on the bridge alone. Then the big girls came to make her feel better. Isn't that so sweet?
The sun was shining in the most beautiful way through the trees. It was so nice to be outside and not in an hurry, just slow-poking it along. You notice so many more things that way, and realize just how much we have to be grateful for besides things.
When we made it back to the campsite, it was so chilly we had to make a fire mid-day. All the kids kinda broke up and did their own thing. Charlotte and Cana dug in the sand, Parks cleaned his dad's Jeep with a tiny green puff, and Paige played with pine needles.
A delicious spaghetti dinner was enjoyed by all, then some (more) s'mores, and then we packed up, sat around the fire until bedtime, and drove home.
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