Party Like a Redneck!

Per our tradition, to celebrate the big boys' birthdays, we always go camping at the love-o-ly Peaks Kenny State Park, with both sets of grandparents and whoever else wants to stop by for visits.... and rain or shine, we party like a redneck! 

First, we load our car and our trailer just as full as we can with untold treasures of foodies, tents, tarps, gifts, and anything else that we think our little hearts might desire for those three nights...

(I have always wanted these little stickers for our car!)

And then we kick it to the country!

For anyone who has never really given camping a go - especially with little kids - I think that Peaks Kenny is a good "starter" camping place.  There are real bathrooms and showers, the campground is pretty close to a little town for if you run out of supplies, and the beach is perfect for littles - super shallow and really grassy, which I love.  We call this "gourmet camping."  Whenever you have the opportunity to use a curling iron and look in a real mirror...it's gourmet.

We look like the Beverly Hillbillies...and we kind of ARE them, so that's okay.

We gave the big boys their own tent this year.

Every other year that we have tented for these boys' birthdays, we have always had torrential rain just about the entire weekend.  This week-end, however, was the best weather that we have ever had.  The night's got a little chilly - we could see our breath - but the daytimes were pristine.  It was really amazing, actually.  I could hardly believe it!

We played at the beach, we had fires all day and night, we went for walks, the boys climbed all over the rocks, we ate and ate and ate and ate, and so many friends and family either tented with us, or stopped by for visits all throughout the weekend.

Nothing says part-ay like friends stopping by to share the fire, fun, and foodies!

Behold the pinata!

The day's first cup...and what makes camping rock for me.

One of the many treasures found...and given to a little friend, I believe.  Yes, Rachael? :0)

The rockin' sets of grandparents who come each year...rain or shine!

Our gifts to the boys this year were brand new bikes.  We smuggled them to the campsite under huge blue tarps, and they had no idea, so it was a really fun surprise.  Jesse fell about thirty-five times and took the absolute most amazing diggers all weekend long, and a couple of times I'm pretty sure the entire campground could hear his howls, but he just jumped right up and kept on going. 

One time, he flew into an ant's nest, and there were literally hundreds of ants crawling all over him.  And another time, his breaks came off a tire and he flew over our little woodpile!  I was pretty sure he broke his leg.  But, that child is resilient, and I think he has about fifteen guardian angels watching over him.  His legs tell the story of the battles he's been in, but he's as happy as a clam tearing up the dirt!  Literally.

The birthday gifts!!!

Over the weekend, we celebrated our big boys' birthdays, we gave gifts to my sweet baby nephew Wyatt who turns one this week, and we celebrated Father's Day as well.  Nothing like doing things in one fell swoop!

Aunty Jules and Baby Delicious.

So, yes.  It was lovely.

I am still amazed that - other than my shower, which I did take, because I'm not quite a full-blown redneck - and other than a very, very brief dip in the lake, I did not get wet at all this weekend.  Mind blowing.  Usually I come home like a drenched rat. 

This weekend, family was celebrated.
Sweet boys were loved on.
Friends came to share in the fun.
Daddys were honored.
Family had quality time.
And memories were made.

You can't ask for much more than that!

3016.  Birthday bashes!

3017.  Amazing Fathers celebrated, as well.

3018.  Kevy - an amazing example of a godly man and the best of fathers.

3019.  My Dad - the first man I ever loved!  :0)

3020.  Grandparents who make parties complete!

3021.  Sunshine!  Blessed sunshine!

3022.  Four days away from electronics and the rest of the world.

3023.  Friends from near and far.

3024.  Three little boys - ALIVE in the out of doors!

3025.  Sleeping under the stars.

3026.  Camp coffee.  The besty best!

3027.  "Church" around the fire on Sunday.

3028.  Bike rides - and body parts still intact.

3029.  God's creation - vast and wild.

3030.  Family memories made.