Since we've recently moved, we are excited to find new and exciting adventures to take the kids on....Today's included beautiful Jump Creek Falls. A quick easy, beautiful hike for the kids. And a month or two ago, and friend and I did a more strenuous version and hiked to the top of the falls. The canyon is so beautiful!
This post is a bit late in coming, but things are just now starting to settle. We did it....we managed to camp Yellowstone this summer with 4 of our 6 foster kids (the youngest 2 stayed in respite care), myself and Jeff, and my mom. The hardest part was having to set up and take down camp multiple times due to booking the only campsites available, which were at various locations around the park! It was a good way to see a lot of new places though. Gigi, as the kids call her, was a helpful set of extra eyes, and a full of knowledge because she has been there so many times! We loved seeing all the wildlife, and stayed spooked and weary of the constant reminder of bears in the campsites (though we never encountered any)....We also ventured into Grand Teton National Park, which was breathtaking!
A few of the trip highlights included: Visiting family in Highwood Mt on the way to Yellowstone, swimming in the firehole river (like we did as kids!), the kids watching 'Old Faithful' explode, finding 'hot spots' in the river and playing in it, hammock time (the kids loved those hammocks), seeing the Grand Tetons, and staying in a teepee outside of mammoth. We did it! We took all 6 kids camping. No major meltdowns, no injuries, and most importantly, lots of fun!!!! We travelled a few hours to Northern Idaho, and camped near the themepark. We had friends join us, and all together we had 10 kids age 6 and under! We weren't sure how we would do with a 1 and 2 yr old, but we set up 2 travel cribs in our tent, and they were so tuckered With the group we had, there were plenty of adults to keep an eye on the kiddos. One of the biggest hits of the trip was the hammocks Jeff set up! Everyone loved them! and it kept many of the kids occupied while at the campsite.! The themepark and waterpark were a blast for the kids (and not too bad for us either!) I even went on a few rides myself. We brought a few older teenagers along, who in turn watched some of the kids for us so we could have so much needed "adult time" once in a while. It was great, and we were so thankful for them! The rides were fun, though I guess I'm not as wild as I used to be, I didn't tolerate the rides as well as I used to! The picture below shows the position I stayed in for most of the rides I went on. After this successful camping trip, we are currently packing for our bigger and wilder adventure of Yellowstone! We leave in 2 days!!!
We have several camping trips coming up this summer. Jeff and I love to camp, and have camped many many times throughout our lives, but we are used to being able to 'pack up and go.' Now, with 6 kids in tow, we have to do a bit more prepping! Our first adventure is near Silverwood for 4 days. Then we are headed to Yellowstone for 10 days! Yes, I know we are crazy, but we are excited. I grew up going to Yellowstone, and have so many good memories there. Jeff hasn't been, and the kids are excited (we are only taking the 4 oldest to Yellowstone). The following is a list of the 'functional' things we are going to need. ~sleeping bags for all ~pillows ~extra blankets ~lanterns/flashlights ~matches/newspaper ~batteries ~camera/kids camera ~campstove/propane ~hats ~sunscreen ~tennis shoes/sandals for each kid ~bug spray ~camping pads ~cots ~camp chairs ~tent/tent stakes (we've forgotten these before!) ~axe ~string/rope ~bear spray (for Yellowstone in particular) ~phones/phone charger ~leash backpack for the little ones ~swimsuits ~raincoats ~portable dvd player/movies for car ride ~towels ~shampoo/toothbrushes/toothpaste ~2 travel cribs (for silverwood with the youngest) ~double stroller |
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