Memorial Day Memories

We packed lots of fun into our extra long Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day traditionally means camping. We have a favorite campground not too far from home that is really great for the kids. We have had a few soggy years in the past and this year's forecast called for a few showers so we got out all the regular gear, which includes a pair of waterproof boots for each member of the family.

Though the boots came in handy for running through wet grass, we really didn't have to worry about rain. The girls ran off into the "forest" (more like tall weeds behind our campsite) and the boys played baseball in the wide-open field.

Crossing the river on the big bridge is always a favorite activity. The bridge is made of open planks so you can see the rushing water far below and it gently sways as you walk.

My favorite part of camping is sitting around the campfire. The kids had a great time telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows.


The campfire is that much more enjoyable, of course, once the kids are snuggled into bed. There's something extra exciting about sleeping in a tent.

We woke to warm, sunny skies and it was obvious that our weather was going to be much warmer than the weatherman predicted. We planned to take the kids to Remlinger Farms, which is really close to the campground. I had packed for cooler temps and couldn't bear the thought of wearing a long-sleeve black shirt in 80 degree weather, so I was forced to wear my only short-sleeved shirt which was dirty from the day before and probably smelled like a campfire.

Remlinger Farms is such a fun place for the kids. Caleb was getting to be a bit tall for many of the rides but he's been coming here for so many years, he still wanted to enjoy them all.

First up was the ponies.

Then my favorite: the train. It's the cutest little steam engine and I have to admit, when we rode it for the second time at the end of the day, its gentle rocking put me right to sleep.

Alyssa, our poser, hopped on a tractor for a quick picture before heading off to the boats. Caleb really was too big for them but the nice lady let him go anyway. There was a time, not so long ago, that he and the twins fit easily into one boat together. Now just look at how those long legs fill that canoe.

Natty loved the flying pumpkins...

...but all the kids voted the roller coaster as their ultimate favorite. It's just a tiny little thing but it really does move pretty fast. It also is quite noisy which has always been too much for Caleb to handle. But this year, he overcame his fear and rode it time and time again. They'd all run right back into line as soon as the ride ended.

The weather was so great and the kids were having so much fun with their friends. We were sad to leave, we normally camp for two days, but needed to be back for church on Sunday. We had a great time.

On Monday we worked in the backyard and then enjoyed our labors by having a BBQ. It's always fun to eat outside. Then we came in for a "Chronicles of Narnia" movie night. Jon had Tuesday off as well so he took Alyssa to see the new Narnia movie. Caleb didn't want to go and Nat is still just a bit too young for the show.

Once they got home, it was time to head off to the Mariner's game. The kids were so beat, we'd been up to so much fun that they all crashed before we even got there.

They livened right up, of course. Any sporting event makes our family time complete.

And they won, too! What a great holiday weekend.