camping season now open

Camping season has begun! This weekend we did a quick camping trip with my parents that was only an hour away to a place in the desert with some fun trails (this was our first time to go to this place). I was hesitant about a 1-night camping trip because it seemed like it would be too much work for such a short amount of time, but it was perfect! We left a little after school got out on Friday afternoon. Instead of worrying about setting up camp & making dinner we ordered Chili's To Go in Bullhead since that was only about 15 minutes away from our destination. Great choice! The kids were so excited to have a fire & make s'mores (although I don't think we ever made them).

Everyone but Callie & Jack were out at the fire & when I went in the trailer to see what they were doing I loved that I found them playing a game & laughing together. It was one of those great moments that all you can do is smile. They were playing The Storybook Game their own way & making up very silly stories for each other. They drew cards with different pictures on them & took turns telling stories with the cards they'd drawn. They were so cute giggling & belly-laughing together!

The next day Jack was in heaven on the kids' 4-wheeler! He's gotten so much braver than he was a year ago. He was fearless this time & got more bold as the day went on. Fortunately he's not really strong enough to shift gears so he wasn't able to go more than about 12 mph in first gear.

We also took the kids' Jeep. Adelyn enjoyed rides with the bigger kids. Ellie was especially glad we had the Jeep since she's not big enough to ride the 4-wheeler by herself.

Taking a break from riding. Jack is the sweetest big brother to Adelyn!

Adelyn had a good time going on rides with Jeremiah too on the kids' 4-wheeler. We had the RZR there too but Addy was too small for that. The other kids loved being able to go for rides out in the desert with Jeremiah in the RZR since it has 2 seats.

Our friends, The Porters, came out for the day on Saturday & the kids all had the best time together! Jack was supposed to stay to just one big area where we could see him but Nate was taking one of the kids on a ride on another 4-wheeler so Jack figured he could follow him. Jeremiah chased after him in the RZR but Jack was already following him up a pretty steep little hill. My mom, dad, Kate & I were watching from camp as Jack was struggling to make it to the top of the hill & I took a big sigh of relief when he made it safely to the top. Everything would have been just fine had he stayed on the trail at that point, but for some reason he turned off the trail & started going down the steep desert hill. My heart was in my stomach watching him & I just knew he was going to roll. As soon as he had turned off Jeremiah couldn't get out of the RZR fast enough. But it was like watching it in slow motion as Jack zigged, zagged, then rolled down with the 4-wheeler rolling right on top of him! I practically threw Adelyn at my dad & ran up the hill as fast as I could. Jeremiah was by him in a second but I just knew he was going to be hurt badly. Amazingly enough the only damage Jack had was the slightest skinned knee & something like a carpet burn on one of his hands. Thank goodness for helmets! His helmet totally saved his head. When Jeremiah picked up the helmet he dumped a bunch of dirt out of it. Heavenly Father was protecting our boy and we're so very grateful! Jack was pretty shaken up. Here he is after a good cry :(

We've already used the accident as an example of children listening to their parents several times with our children in the past 24 hours. I think they have an idea that it could have been really serious & that there's a reason we tell them to do or not do things. Despite the accident that could have been a million times worse, we had a really fun weekend! It was great being able to go so close. We'll definitely be going there again!