Why kids are amazing...

Because they will  "motivate" you to do things that you otherwise would not do!  Case in point - camping in the snow!  Really, you would think that Buck and I would learn - every Memorial Day weekend we make plans to go camping and it snows every. single. year.  However, when you have excitable kiddos you tell them you are going camping and they get really excited and talk about it non-stop from the moment you tell them until the moment you set up the tent and they are officially camping.  So, when you check the weather forecast and see a change of snow, you just cross your fingers and hope for no more than a dusting.  Then the time comes.  The bags are being packed, the sleeping bags loaded and the cooler on ice.  All the while you look out the window, wondering, "what the heck were we thinking!"  The drizzle turns to flakes and the flakes keep getting bigger.  It is at this point you know for a fact, that pre-kids, you would have thrown in the towel, cooked hot dogs on the grill and toasted marshmallows in the fireplace with a glass of wine.  But instead you have two wonderful kids bouncing of the wall because "WE ARE GOING CAMPING!"  So you load up and go and you count your blessings because you are embarking on an adventure, creating another memory and spending time with your kiddos and your husband doing something that really is worth it!

So off we went to meet Karley, Weston and Hazen and head out on our little camping adventure.  We had plans to meet friends from Helena, but since they had headed out a night earlier, we already knew the snow had gotten the best of them and they were headed to where it was warm and dry.  So off we went! On our drive over the weather would drastically vacillate from promising to frightful!

We set up camp, enjoyed each others company, appreciated a warm fire, and watch the kids love every minute of it.  For the most part, the snow was not too bad most of the evening, but as night approached, it kept on coming!  Eventually, (after hot dogs and roasting marshmallows) we headed for the tent.  The boys played cribbage for awhile while we all cuddled in our sleeping bags.  After snuggling up, we realized that with the heat of the tent and the mounting snow, we were setting ourselves up for getting wet!  So Weston and Buck managed to finagle an extra tarp on top of the tent to help keep some of the moisture out.  High class operation! Once it became apparent Hyat and Embrie were not going to sleep while the big people were still awake, we all tucked in for the night.

All snuggled in we stayed warm and mostly dry through the night.  But we woke up to more snow than we had hoped.  Once it was time to rise and shine, we had some child-sized alarm clocks, we made breakfast, built snowmen, packed up and headed for someplace warm: Chico Hot Springs! Our planned two night adventure, was just one and we came home with A LOT of wet gear.  But we came home with happy hearts and happy kids = totally worth it!

And the fun begins!

That smile makes everything  = TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Dad helping Hyat spot the elk.

Helping Embrie spot the elk.

Oh beautiful girl, you make my heart throb!

Warming up her hands! 

The set up... BEFORE the snow!

When the snow got to be too much, there is always playing in the car!

Hmmm, kids screaming somewhere? Something got our attention!

Gathering cooking sticks...

Helping to haul in some firewood!

Chips and holy guacamole!

Guacamole sandwich!

Embrie making sure Hazen gets his fair share!

Roasting hot dogs!

Sweet Hazen was such a trooper!

Cooking those dogs!

Eating dinner in the snow!

Well, OF COURSE, we had to roast marshmallows.
That is the whole point of camping!

The kids are still loving the adventure.
Embrie did NOT push him down,
she is trying to help him up!

GOOD MORNING SNOW!

Good morning cuddles by the fire!

Hot chocolate - another good reason to go camping!

Getting breakfast ready.  At least it appeared to be done snowing!

The kidlets off on an adventure in the snow covered woods!

Breakfast!

If you have not had eggs and biscuits cooked in an orange over a campfire,
you NEED to go camping.  Thank you mom and dad for teaching us this one!

Sweet helper Embrie.  It was adorable to watch her help Buck fold the tarp. 

We might be a little bit crazy for camping in the snow.  It sure felt that way when we got home and had a garage chalk-full of wet gear from a 24 hour outing.  But, in the end, our hearts were full from time spent with ones we love making memories to be cherished.  We are blessed! Hyat and Embrie you are amazing, and we are so thankful you motivated us to get out and be together! We love you!

(And, again, many thanks to Weston Paul for the photos!)