Every year, my family has made it a tradition to go camping together on the first weekend of August. So far, we've gone a different place every year...Birch Bay, Oregon coast, Lake Wenatchee, Timothy Lake (Portlandish), Yakima, Hawaii (okay, that wasn't camping...we took a family vacation that year instead of camping), and this year, Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. We always have a ton of fun, and this year was no exception! Kyle, my youngest sister's husband, as well as my brother and his wife, were not able to come, but the rest of us were there.
When you look at a map, it looks like Dash Point is in the middle of the city, but it really doesn't feel that way. Though it was a bit strange to be camping 1/2 hour from home, we saved a lot on gas! And Steve and I thought this would be a good option for our own little family for future camping trips.
Anyway, I liked the fact that the campsites were very private, as opposed to some state parks where you might as well be sleeping in your neighbor's tent. We had some great weather, and the beach a lot of fun, too. It's not exactly a place to swim, but when the tides were low you could walk quite a ways out (on sand, not rocks), play with the sand, find sealife, etc.
I was a little nervous about how Travis and Jayna would do, especially in terms of napping, but they had a great weekend! I think Travis was in heaven, having so many "playmates" around and so many things to keep him busy. Jayna got incredibly dirty because she chose not to walk on all the uneven ground, but I didn't mind. That's what camping's for!
Some picture highlights...
Travis had his own little camping chair...notice him using Aunt Becky as a leg rest. What a life!
I was so proud of Travis....he got dirty!! But not too dirty...he would only hold the clam in the shovel, not with his hands.
All tuckered out. Sleep actually came quite easily for Travis. Jayna--not so much. It didn't help that I forgot to pack her beloved blankie. All is right in Jayna's world when she has her blankie.
It started out much smaller...cousin Ethan would push Jayna in this giant dumptruck we brought along. She loved it! But then the men (yes, including Steve....maybe even initiated by Steve?) decided to let her go for a bit of a longer ride. It was hard for me to watch the first few times, but after I saw that she was okay, and even enjoying it, it was pretty funny. I like how you can hear us all laughing, even though I sound like a total dork.
All in all, it was a great weekend!
