2nd annual family camping trip

and it was twice as good as the first one!

We love Carpinteria State Beach, and it did not disappoint this year again.

In fact, our kids were 8 and 5 this year, and what a difference in their maturity and growth. I spent the entire trip marveling at how much they were learning, how quickly they were growing up right in front of my eyes, how independent they were about everything, and how much their personalities were developing. Plus, with this added maturity, mama got some quiet time to sit back and read a book, sip some coffee and take in my kids doing their own thing. Ya know, cause they still wanted to be around me.

So, to capture the weekend, I have pictures. Lots of them. So, if you don't want to see them all, scroll real fast or click away. You've been warned. But this is my memory tracking space, and I need it to recall things years from now. Can you relate?

The first set is from my big camera. I love that I was able bring it and use it, and lock the camera in the truck and not worry about it getting stolen, because I would be sad if I wasn't able to bring something so nice to a camping trip with dirt and sleeping in tents. Ya know? I left home the white t-shirts but was happy to have my camera.

ready to play

they wouldn't smile for the camera, they would only shove food in their mouth. 

she at least smiled. Still mouth full o' food.

our views were amazing!

typical shot to attempt, right?

Well, Rick kept trying to get his clever shot to work, and I kept telling him to go lower. He was trying to fart out the sun, and I thought he wanted the weight of the sun on his back. Typical!

waking up. 

even less awake. 

Loudoun's comical version of a fire pyramid

She spent 1/2 the trip in the trees with her friend. Not even exaggerating. 

This next set is from my phone, which was with me at all times and captured more pics. I was too lazy to intertwine the 2 sets to put them in chronological order. I'm not too upset about it. 

{2012} this is a repeat of last year's pic, which she asked to do, because it hangs in our living room.

{2011}

new friends

new friends

morning coffee

2 air mattresses, booyah.

sticky marshmallows. 

inseparable

relaxing, enjoying our kids. 

watching the astronomy show at the outdoor amphitheater. They were more thrilled than they look. 

alternative s'mores. Not because we were out of the regular supplies, but just because we I wanted to take advantage of toasted marshmallows! Chips ahoy cookies. I highly recommend. 

saturday afternoon drama at the campsite next to ours. It turned out to be nothing.
But the peace officer sure was attentive!

Loudoun wearing his spy gear at the campfire. 

my favorite capture of the whole trip. 

my companion at the outdoor church service on Sunday morning. 

I hope we can get a good spot next year, and make it a family tradition, three years in a row!