Siblings Camping Trip

Over the weekend we went to Delaware State Park for the 3rd annual Costello sibling's camping trip. We were thankful for a break in the unbearably hot weather and for temperatures topping out at 85, instead of 104. The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to spend the night in our miniature tent (that we've yet to upgrade despite it having a max capacity of 2).

We got to enjoy an evening boat ride where Eli took his first ride on a tube with Uncle Sam and Max. Norah entertained herself by getting drenched at the campground water fountain for a loooong time and both kids thoroughly took advantage of the opportunity to shovel Cheetos in their mouths whenever we turned our backs. There were a total of 15 cousin kids this year, 7 girls and 8 boys. The girls rode bikes, played at the water fountain, and filled up water balloons so sweetly. The boys, rowdy and fired up mostly thanks to Eli (what a shocker), ran from tent to tent where they wrestled and shouted and shook the walls.

I didn't get any pictures of my favorite part about camping-making S'mores, because Gavin and I headed home after dinner. Now don't get me wrong, I am usually a pretty good sport when it comes to roughing it in a tent overnight. However, the thought of waking up several times during the night to feed Gavin while being 1 of 5 people crammed into a 2 man tent on a hot night was enough to send me running for my king-sized bed. John got to stay and have the delightful "bonding" experience of getting Eli, Norah, and himself to sleep on a single twin air-mattress. What a good daddy! And seeing as he called me at 6:40am the next morning to say the tent was down, car packed, and they were heading to Bob Evans....I think I made the right choice.

And next year, it looks like we'll be ready to upgrade that tent. And yes I said the same thing last year, but this time I really mean it.

We're going camping now we're on our way...

If you were born into a Christian home in the 80's, and grew up watching Psalty The Singing Songbook VHS tapes in the early 90's as I did, then you are probably singing along with me to the above tune that is playing in my head as I write this. Who didn't love the camping episode, it was a classic!

Anyway, last weekend we went on a short camping adventure with all of John's siblings, spouses, and children to Delaware State park for a night of "roughing it" in the Ohio wilderness. We brought Eli along and left Norah with her great-grandparents because we weren't at all curious how fun it would be to sleep in a tent with a 1 year old.  We enjoyed a beautiful day Saturday boating, hanging out at the beach, and only being responsible for a single child. Eli soaked up the time with his cousins and was a sweaty, dirt-covered maniac the entire length of our trip. 

Saturday night we enjoyed torrential rainstorms while we slept-some of which leaked under my corner of the tent-and took turns peeling Eli's sweaty body off us as he insisted on sleeping on top of us despite the stifling heat of a muggy August night. We learned that our two-man tent really is only for 2 men and that its time to upgrade to something bigger. I can't say I got much sleep, but it was fun family memory and I'm really glad we went. 

We were up at the crack of dawn Sunday morning and had the car packed with our wet-muddy gear by 7:30am heading straight to the nearest Bob Evans for some delicious greasy food. 

Can't wait till next year and for Norah Dee to join in on the fun.

The boys: Max, Gabe, Eli, and Shayden....all shoveling handfuls of Cheetos into their mouths

Our tiny tent that is really cozy for two, and really crowded for 3

Enjoying the hillbilly street festival put on by the park Saturday night

Notice Eli's feet off the ground? These boys danced till they dropped

Abby, Sam, Gabe, Jen, and Max

Nothing better than a gooey s'more by the fire

Gabe and Ron roasting marshmallows 

 
Breakfast at Bob Evans early Sunday morning

Never the cheap date, I upgraded from regular ole' coffee to this delicious 400 calorie latte'

Of course we made sure Eli ordered something healthy to eat

Camping in the cold

This weekend we sent Eli to his grandparents, layered up, loaded the car and headed to Deer Creek State park with our best friends. Despite illness, the first frost of the year, and soggy wet wood, we had a great time. The guys impressed us with their mad fire-making skills (with a little help from 4 bottles of lighter fluid), and we kept them happy with lots of junk food and candy. We've decided to make it a yearly tradition....but next year we're planning it for August. And now off to my bubble bath to finish defrosting...