Camping with Toddlers...

For those of you who know me well, you probably would not think of me as the camping type.  Yet, I found myself camping at Devil's Lake the past few days.  I remember several camping trips as a child and I remember great memories and want Sully to have the same.  So camping we went.

Now lots of people have all kinds of helpful camping tips but I think the best tip is if you are not campers and you don't know what you are doing, go with some camping experts.  Such as the Wadzos.  

And going with these camping experts means there were three kids along with us, ages 4, 2 1/2 and 1.  

I am not sure how, but we managed to exit the camping days sans any burns (children or adults), major injuries (granted there were some close calls such as scary strangulation by dog leash almost incident) and with all our people and dogs accounted for.  Yeah, I am pretty proud of that.  We even forced the children on two hikes.  The first was quite physical, up and down steep terrain.  The second was along a small brook with a little waterfall (but we did not make it to the waterfall).

July 4th, 2013.  Devil's Lake WI.

Josh enjoying the way the child backpack enhanced his figure. 

There was much toddler toting but they also walked much of the way which was impressive.

Charlotte hogged this carrier the whole time so I never got a turn.

 Sully was crying during this picture.  It is like he wasn't appreciating the nice view and the beautiful nature around him.  And yes, we are the whitest family on earth.

There was definitely much whining and crying along the way (I wish I could supply you with a nice soundtrack of that) but we did all make it!

Sully kept saying to the hubs, "You are too heavy" while he was carrying him down the rocks.  Yes, son, we are very heavy.  By the end of the hike, he stated, "I am worn out."  Yet another true, true statement for all of  us.

Of course, after a nap and lunch, there was some swimming and sand castle building later that day.

The adult men are hoping to get a suit to match this little cutie's.  I can't wait.

I don't even know how kids have energy after a long hike and swimming but they do.

The kids played in the steady stream of bubble machine bubbles while "Cookie", I mean Josh, cooked us a gourmet BBQ rib dinner.  The dinner that we provided was brats, embarrassing compared to the ribs.  Yet another reason to go camping with the Wadzos.

Today was a much less intense hike at Parfrey's Glen.

 Apparently, this is the hubs all time hiking shirt.

We did take the dogs with us, blatantly ignoring the No Dogs Allowed signs.  Sully just could not understand why I kept saying "heel" to Turbo.  He kept saying, "No, its not a heel, its a paw!"

Taking toddlers on hikes means that you have to bring lots of snacks and fluids, which is fine by me.  I love to use the toddlers as a reason to take a break instead of the truth of me being too hot and lazy tired.

After all is said and done and I am at home in air conditioning and we are all showered, I am very glad we went.  It was a great experience for all of us, even with the whining, crying, horrible shower experience, mosquito bites, inhalation of bug spray and damp tent sleeping.  Sure, I would do it again...eventually.  Thanks for the fun, Wadzos!