Happy Campers

Beach camping is a family tradition.

I've spent a week camping at the beach every summer since I can remember. The crazy thing is... Darin has too! (Which is just one more reason we are PERFECT for each other!) We both grew up with the same family tradition, as a matter of fact, when we were young our families went camping together. I was 5, Darin was 8. It's part of who we are. We love it! There is nothing like being in the great outdoors, no phone, no computer, no TV, no distractions. I love falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing and crickets chirping, with my kids all snuggled up in their sleeping bags beside me. We had a wonderful week with my family at Leo Carrillo in Malibu. Here are some pictures to prove it!

Lauren & Hudson together for 5 days! Enough said.
These two are quite the pair! They've learned to say each others names now, it's the cutest thing to hear them calling each other, "War-en!", "Huh-hen!"
They were spoiled rotten by everyone all week long and loved every second of it.

Julia, Aunt Cheryl & Capri

Trey climbing the trees around our tent.

I love these guys!!!
Jason, Mom, Janell, Joylynn, Joanna & Joseph

Hats off to my brothers Joseph & Jason and my little sis Joy for making this huge pot of spaghetti. I don't think I've ever seen a bigger pot of spaghetti.
I also don't think I've ever seen people eat so much spaghetti either.... namely my husband... was it 7 or 8 plates full Darin? !

Most mornings the kids woke up really early. My Mom was great and would wisk them off on a walk to the tide pools so we could sleep in longer. She's THE BEST!
One morning I went with them and snapped these fun shots.

Trent and his hermit crab.

Trey holding a sea star.

Julia holding a hermit crab (they were everywhere!)
Lauren discovering the sea star.

I'm so thankful for the memories the kids get to make with their cousins and with Jessica.
Here they all are after climbing the rocks and exploring the beach.

This post wouldn't be complete without sharing my exciting "middle of the night, up with a crying baby" story. Thanks to Lauren I spent much of the night going from the van to the tent, holding her, rocking her, trying to comfort her so she would STOP SCREAMING! Eventually she did fall asleep laying in bed with me, only after I had my first encounter with a coyote! I will never walk around outside my tent at 2 am ever again! Not even to pee, EVER!

All in all it was a very relaxing week. The company was great, the food was scrumptious, and the memories will be treasured always.