Camping!!

Every year over Canada Day, we go camping. We usually only make it out camping about once a year, as it is very tricky with me working every Saturday and our church responsibilities each Sunday, so we sure enjoy it when we can! We stayed in AJ and Sarah's yard again as it truly is the perfect spot. 

We got there Tuesday early afternoon and we had the intention of making it out to Fort Steele after setting up camp, but we were all having a good time so we decided to just stick around. We brought a kiddie pool and the kids were happy playing in that, using the hose and look at Auntie and Uncle's garden. For dinner, we met GG up at the campground for some bun-wiches and fruit. After we ate, we went to the waterfall and hiked a little bit of the trails. After our little hike, the kids played in the river for a bit. The water was freezing, but boy, they were loving it!!

After the campground, we headed back to AJs. GG hung out with us for a while and John was in all his glory!! I have said it once, and I will say it again and again. GG is amazing!! Any question as to why? Check out these pictures

And these ones

And these ones

Seriously, I don't know what I would do without the woman. I love you SO much Grandma!!

Getting all the kids down for bed was amazing. Doug took the big kids for a walk down to the river while I got John down so it would be nice and quiet. The kid fell asleep instantly - all that fresh air did him good! Once Doug came back with the big kids, we all tip toed into the tent and climbed into bed. We bought Nola and Rob glow stick wands and it gave them something to look at until they feel asleep. They did so good and we were so proud of them! Everything was good for about and hour, and then John started crying. He cried off and on, all night. In his defense, he had a nasty fever for the few days before our trip and wasn't sleeping well at home either. I shouldn't complain though, even with all that crying, the big kids slept all night! Victory!!

Even though he didn't sleep well, John was bright eyed and bushy tailed, just like Nola and Rob, the next morning. We had some oatmeal for breakfast and got ready for the day.

For the Canada Day festivities, we started out by watching the cardboard boat races. It was hilarious!! Teams made boats out of cardboard and had to row across the man-made lake and back. This one boat was so funny- it was slowly folding in half as this woman was rowing it. Half way through the lake, it just completely fell apart. The kids didn't care about the race, but had fun in the sand! 

After the races, there were a whole bunch of things going on up at the aquatic centre. We sang 'O Canada', watched a dance group and then after much pleading from Nola, went to the spray park. Nola was all over the spray park, having the time of her life! Rob roamed around the green space and played on the outdoor exercise equipment, and John played happily in the shade with Doug. I spent most of my time in the spray park with Nola, or walkin around the outdoor market. They had some yummy food trucks, so when we left I grabbed Doug and I some Yamagoya sushi and lemonade. It was super tasty.

After the spray park, back to the mountains to hike. Rob really wanted to go back to the waterfall, and since we didn't get to hike too much with GG, we figured we'd head back to the same place and just explore some more. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Those trails are my neverland and being able to hike them with my family? Heaven.  We finished of the hike by swimming in the river. It was the same place Ali and I swam as kids . Brought back great memories and it was amazing to create new ones.

Back to AJs, packed up camp and headed home. We may have only stayed one night, but it was everything I could have ever imagined. I love Fernie. I love the mountains, the trees, the river, the smell, the people, the atmosphere. We are so blessed in the beautiful country! My family is perfect, and so is my life. Could it possibly get any better?