Memorial Day Weekend

We did it! We choked down our fears, dragged boxes out of the attic, packed the car to the maximum and hit the road for the great outdoors. That's right! We went camping!!

Duke & I always enjoyed camping -- even the time we were playing cards in the tent during a tornado warning up at Lake Texoma. It's fun. It's adventurous. It's cheap. It's dirty. What's not to love, right? Well, we've been talking about taking the kids, but there are all those 'buts'. You know what I'm talking about:

"...but how are we going to get it all in the car?"

"...but what are the sleeping arrangements for the kids?"

"...but what about naps - you know Lila can't make it without a nap?!"

"...but what do we do when the kids have to go to the bathroom?"

"...but it's soooo dirty!"

"...but all those bugs!"

"...but...but...but...."

The boys stoked the fire...

...while the girls did the dishes.

Afternoon naps weren't a problem.

And when 'nature called', we called on nature.

The kids built a beautiful mosquito pond right next to their tent. Because, you know, even though we've had a really soggy spring, and we got a nice rain shower every afternoon on the trip, you can just never have enough mosquitoes.

I have to admit, I was doubtful about the canoe.

Jake wasn't thrilled with Uncle Jack's ski boat last summer, and Delila just plain hates the water. I was just sure my kids would scream and kick up a cap-sizing fuss about sitting in a canoe.

I'm happy to say I was wrong. As you can see, our little paddlers liked the canoe just fine.

We got our fishing gear in order...

...and put on our lucky fishing hats.

We found a perch...

...and caught a carp -- at least that's what I think it was. Whatever it was, we stuffed it with limes, onion & rosemary because that's what we had on hand. The seasonings were nice, but the texture of the fish left something to be desired. But who cares?! We (Duke) actually caught a fish on Lake Texoma!! And I said it couldn't be done. (And he didn't even make me eat crow for dinner - but that smile looks a little smug, doesn't it.)

Really, I think we were just chicken. We needed a little push to get us off our 'buts'. Well, thanks to our friends, the Sporers (who will soon make us very sad by returning to Germany), we did get off our 'buts'. Sure, we looked like the Clampets driving up the road, but we did it! And it was so much fun.