backyard campout

At the beginning of summer for FHE we sat down together and made a list of everything we wanted to this summer. Our own "Summer Bucket List." It has all sorts of things on it from really simple - paint outside with chalk paint to bigger things that take some planning like camping.

Since we have a newborn, we decided to try camping in the backyard first. We still may try to go camping later this summer but this was just as fun!

Danny set up our tent and got out the air mattress and sleeping bags. Ella loved playing in the tent! When you're a kid isn't there something magical about having a tent?

 It was a beautiful evening and Kate loved just laying out on her blanket.

 We used our fire pit to prepare our fancy dinner of hot dogs, chips and fruit.

 Is there any question this girl's eyes are blue?

 When we moved the party into the tent, Kate enjoyed a little snooze...

 while we played some serious rounds of Candyland.

 After some game playing it was time for s'mores. Ella really enjoyed that part! I lost count of how many marshmallows she had.

 After the s'more making, Ella and Daddy got ready to sleep in the tent. We read books in the tent with a flashlight (it was dark by then) which Ella loved. Then Kate and I went inside to sleep while Danny and Ella went for the whole experience. They came inside at about 11:30 because Ella got a little nervous. Danny said that the quote of the night was "Daddy, what's that noise?" But after ten minutes in her own bed she changed her mind and wanted to go back outside. They gave it another shot and slept in until 8:30.

I would say our little camp out was a success and I'm pretty sure it's going to become an annual tradition. So much fu!