I Want One!

 The last time we went camping, we set up two different tents, plus our gazebo.  One of the tents held just food, and the other one was where the kids and I slept.  Junior rigged up an air conditioner in the door, so it stayed pretty cool inside, but we only ran it at night.  Junior ended up sleeping in the van because of his bi-pap machine. 

I can't help but think how much easier camping would be if we had an RV.  We would be able to keep the food at a constant temp, without having to use coolers and ice, and we would have somewhere that we could all sleep together.  We would also have somewhere close to use the bathroom, instead of having to hike to the public restrooms in the middle of the night.

I dream about owning an RV like the one pictured.  Isn't it beautiful?  There are so many different rvs for sale, it's going to be hard picking out the perfect one for us.  I am not picky, so anything that can sleep the five of us comfortably and has air conditioning would be fine with me.

Vacationing At A Caravan Park

If I am being completely honest, when I heard the term caravan park, I had no idea what it meant.  After doing a little research, I discovered that people in the UK call a campground a caravan park.  It only follows to reason that a caravan would be what us Americans call a camper.  I also discovered that the UK is home to some of the most beautiful caravan parks in the world.  You can book a spot in a park online pretty easily, too. 

As much as we enjoy camping, I can totally see us staying in a caravan park if we ever travel overseas.  It's probably a lot cheaper, and much more relaxing, than staying in a hotel.

Camping

We have decided that we are going to go camping for a full week this year. The only thing we haven't decided on is where we are going to go. I want to go back to Greenwood State Park, but Junior has his heart set on finding somewhere new. The problem is that I want to have a campsite on the water, so the kids and I can swim while Junior fishes. Junior wants to find somewhere that has a pool. I love pools, don't get me wrong. I just don't want to spend my vacation in a public pool while Junior sits by the lake.

We have been buying a bunch of pretty cool things for our campsite. Every year when we camp, I see all the "real" campers putting up lights and signs, and basically making the campsite very homey. Every year I tell Junior that I want to do the same thing, but we never buy the supplies.

This year I have a list of things I want to get before we go, and on the top of my list is comfortable outdoor chairs. I want a chair that can recline a little, and that I can use either to relax at the campsite during the day or to fish by the lake at night. Lights were on my list, too, but we bought some already when the Christmas stuff went on clearance. We ended up with four boxes of rope lights, and I can not wait to see how they look set up on our gazebos.

I am sure where ever we decide to go, we will have a wonderful time. We will just have to keep Kasi away from the campfire.

Cool!

Check this out. I was editing the pictures from our camping trip to post on my picture blog, and I came across this shot I took of a bubble the kids blew in the water.

Can you see my distorted reflection? How cool is that?

Don't They Look So Happy???

As you can see, the kids weren't always happy while camping. I think this shot was taken the last day, and they were tired of the camera. Well, everyone except Boo. She was ticked that I wanted Ryan and Kasi in the pictures. Brandi thinks the world revolves around her.
I posted a few...okay, maybe 50...pictures on my picture blog. This is just the first post of many...I think I took about 275 pictures!

Sleepy Heads

I took this picture Friday morning. We had a rough time the night before, and by the time we hit the tent, the kids were exhausted. It was almost 9am before I finally convinced them to get up.
Did you notice the bandage on Kasi's arm?????

I Got Bit!

Okay, no laughing! Seriously, promise me you won't laugh! Okay...did you promise?

Friday, Brandi and I were relaxing on my float. We had our arms and heads on the float...the rest of our bodies were hanging in the water.

All of a sudden, something in the water bit my neck! Junior said it was a fish. I have never been bitten before. I started screaming, and ran to shore, with Brandi about two feet ahead of me. As soon as i said something bit me, she took off!

By the time we made it to shore, we were laughing, but man, did that hurt!
You can kind of see it in the picture above, or you can really see it here:Nice, right? lol!

Ready To Go

We just finished getting everything we need for our camping trip. I am glad we were able to finish shopping this week...I like being prepared. The only thing now is the food, and we need to wait to do that. I am getting so excited!

Junior is looking forward to fishing all night. Last time we went here, the catfish bit better after dark. Ryan caught a huge one, and Kasi and Brandi both want to catch on this year. I'm hoping they do, although Brandi has a tendency to get bored and lay her rod down. We have lost several to the fish that way.

I might have to tape the rod to her hand this time! lol!

Camping

It's been decided...we are going to camp for three nights. That's right, three nights. I must be crazy.

We paid for the site today, so it's all set.

I am hoping for sunny days and cool nights, and great fishing. The site we got is right on the water, so Junior and I can night fish while the kids sleep a few feet away.

I might go into withdrawals being away from the computer for that long, but I'm hoping I will remember how to relax and enjoy my little family.

Making A List

I have to make out a list of supplies we need to go camping. I don't want to get there and realize I left something at home. Last time we forgot Junior's bi-pap, and he snored for two nights. My question to you is....do you camp? What do you find to be an absolute essential?

I forgot a broom last time, and would have loved to have had one to get the dirt out of the tent. I also forgot sunscreen, and water shoes.

Man, see why I need to make a list! lol!

Vacation Plans

We finally made plans to go camping. I am excited. We're going to go the first week in August, and hopefully stay for a few nights. We have a new tent, and it's huge, so we will all sleep together. Except for Junior. He has already claimed the back seat of the van that folds down flat. It will be easier for him with his bi-pap. I am hoping we have enough money to get an inflatable mattress before we go so I am not sleeping on the ground. I will be looking for family friendly hotels in that area in case I can't sleep in the tent. The last time we went I had no problem sleeping, so hopefully the same holds true for this trip.

The kids are already planning our menu, which consists of a lot of chocolate and marshmallows. I think they have s'mores on the brain. We are going to try and take everything we need with us, because last time we had to run to the grocery store, and it was thirty minutes away from the campsite.

Don't worry. I will take tons of pictures, and of course share them with you as soon as we get back.

I Dream Of RV Covers

I have a dream. It's a simple dream, but a dream none the less.

If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know we love to go camping. Nothing beats the feeling of having nothing to do for a week. If we want to fish, we fish. If we want to nap, we nap. If we want to swim, we swim.

You get the idea. There is nothing more relaxing.

My dream is to some day own a motor home. It doesn't have to be one of those huge ones that look like a tour bus. I am a simple girl, and I have simple taste. I would just like one that is big enough for the five of us to hang out in comfortably. It would have to have a bathroom, and a bed for me to sleep in. That's it. I don't need air conditioning. I don't need bedrooms. I don't even need it to have a kitchen, although a refrigerator would be nice.

If I do ever get a camper, I would treat it like a baby. I would check out RV Covers and buy one that fits it like a glove. Campingworld.com has all kinds of camping accessories, and I go there sometimes to drool over the RV's they sell.

A girl can dream, right?

Home, Safe And Sound

What a great weekend! We all had so much fun. We ended up going to Lake Greenwood State Park. I actually found time to write while there, so I will share it.Saturday12:30 pmWe arrived around 7:30 a.m. after driving for a couple of hours. We sent up the tents. Our campsite was pretty far from the water, but we had good shade and it was right across form the bathroom. Junior's friend lent us the big tent, and we slept in there. Colleen and Mike lent us the small one, and we used it for storage. We loaded up the car for fishing and went to the lake. Brandi caught the first fish. She and I walked down to check out the beach. It was okay. No lifeguard, so it was "swim at your own risk". I am a good swimmer so I wasn't concerned. After fishing for a while, we went back to camp for lunch. That's where I am right now. Sitting in the tent, listening to the rain, and wanting to take a nap.8:30 pmI took a nap. The rain stopped so we took the kids swimming. As we were getting ready to go, Junior was looking for cup to pour ice and soda in. I didn't bring any. So this is for you, Jeff Foxworthy...You might be a redneck if you cut the top off a pepsi bottle to make it a cup!Junior did, and used it the rest of the day. The kids had fun swimming. I waded in up to my knees. While I did have my bathing suit on, the shorts I was wearing were not coming off. It was a HUGE step for me to take my shirt off. Baby steps.........Anyway, we came back to camp for supper around 6:30. I grilled hot dogs. Yummy! Junior and Ryan just left to go fishing again. Brandi wanted to go to bed, so me and the girls stayed behind. I'm sitting here in the peace and quiet. It's wonderful! Listening to the birds, watching the squirrels play. Hoping there are no spiders in the tent!!!!Sunday7 amI've been up a while. It's a beautiful morning. The kids and Junior are still sleeping. The guys didn't get back last night until almost midnight. Ryan caught about a 2lb. catfish. GO RY!!Today we have a few things we want to try and do. Fish, of course, swim, go shopping for groceries to make supper, try to change camp sites.I really can't remember the last time I've felt so relaxed. We have no schedule ~ no obligations! It's great. 5 pmI'm grilling burgers for supper. We switched camp sites. We moved to one right on the water. I've shed my "I'm too fat, no one will ever see me in a bathing suit" mentality, and have had a wonderful day with the kids!!! We swam in the lake, fished, and just hung out. Me and the kids sat in the water, and Junior would cast out his line. He would reel it in until it was directly in front of us, like maybe 3 inches, and catch fish! I had one fish swim right between my legs! It was pretty cool! I'm excited to night fish tonight. Since I can put Brandi down and not have to leave the site to fish, I get to try to hook "the big one".10 pmI'm in the tent, waiting for Brandi to fall asleep so I can go back to fishing. We made s'mores a little while ago. The kids had fun. I really don't like marshmallows, so I didn't eat any, but everyone else loved them!As soon as supper was done it started pouring! It only lasted a little while, but we all got soaked. Me and the kids ended up walking to the showers while it rained. I'm not sure where we got wetter ~ the walk over or the actual shower!Monday6:30 amI'm the only one up again. I don't mind, it gives me a chance to sit, appreciate the beauty around me, and be thankful for the 2 days we have spent here. I will say I wasn't sure about the tent. The first night was horrible. Last night was better. I slept straight through. I guess swimming the lake was hard work. Ryan and I swam up and down the shore a few times, and it was hard work. The boats don't care that their wakes throw water in your face and mouth. It can really wear a girl out!I guess I need to get everyone up so we can head home. Lots to do....So that was our vacation. I added pictures too. Junior and I both ended up catching pretty good sized cat fish last night. My memory stick was full so I didn't take any pictures. We both hooked huge fish that snapped our lines. I can't wait until we are able to go back!Now it's back to civilization. I need to get up and cook supper and start the laundry. Maybe tomorrow......

I'm Sleeping WHERE????

It has been decided. We are going to Lake Hartwell this weekend and camping out. Yup, me sleeping in a tent. Not really looking forward to it. I'm excited about the fishing, and swimming, and spending time away as a family, but sleeping on the ground in a tent does nothing for me. I'm gonna be a good sport though. Not so sure about Brandi. She has flat out refused to sleep outside, so it should be interesting. I will make sure I take a ton of pictures.Last night Ryan had a new friend sleep over. His name is Brandon and he is the son of one of the guys Junior works with. Him and his wife are both super nice. I haven't spoken to Ryan yet, he left early this morning with Junior, but from the looks of my living room, it looks like they had a good time. Ryan goes in the morning to have his stiches removed. He hasn't complained about his foot in a few days. I'm glad it is healing well.I guess I should start my day. I cleaned Brandi's room yesterday. I still have an ant problem. When I get rid of them in one room, they go another. Yesterday it was Brandi's. While cleaning her room, I found fruit snacks in her closet. Wonder how they got there? (Brandi and Faith?) Anyway, I cleaned her room and hopefully the ants will stay gone. Then last night when we got home, they were all over my bathroom. I can't take it anymore!!!!!! We even put ant killer all around the outside of the house. I don't know what else to do.Anyway, I'm really getting up now. I have lots to do before we leave Saturday morning. If I don't write tomorrow, I'll be back Monday! Have a great weekend and think about my big butt in a tent!