Camping with Dad

Joel's big Father's Day gift this year was a tent so he could take the kids out camping. He's been wanting to do that since the day Abigail was born! So this was the summer we've made that happen. His first trip was with Elijah up to a place outside of Estacada. Although Elijah is full of energy & confidence & a go-getter, he also has a sentimental side, so Joel wasn't surprised on the drive up when Elijah said, "I wanna go home..." but after arriving and setting up the tent and their campsite, he was glad to be there. He loved the fire, sleeping in the tent and getting dirty in the woods and just getting some one-on-one time with Dad was special too!

Abigail could hardly wait for her turn! She kept reminding Joel that she needed to go camping with Dada before summer was over too. So a couple weeks ago, she got her turn. They stayed closer to town and actually camped at David & Becky Boos' property in Sandy. It was a beautiful spot, right on the river.

They watched a beaver building his dam, two bald eagles flying along the river in search of food and some ducks as they floated around in the river. Unfortunately, Joel wasn't able to get pictures of those things though. She told Joel that the river was the beaver's "habitat"...something she learned from Sesame Street that has gotten lodged in her brain! She even used that big word correctly! Way to go, Abigail!!

The kids loved their adventures with Dad and are both talking about "next time"!