gramping...

Camping with grandchildren...

or gramping.

And that is what we were up to last week. 

It used to be a simple matter when we only had two grands.

Two girls the same age...

who liked to share a bed and everything else.

We took them with us in our RV for a night or two every summer.

Then there were more...

and they all wanted their turn.

So now they come in shifts.

We set up camp close to home...

Bridal Falls Camperland.

The youngest ones came first.

 

Since we have a 'no diaper policy'...

it was a day camp only for Lucy.

Let's just say that she was not a happy camper when she left with her parents that night!

As for Micah and Maggie...

they spent some quality cousin time together.

We hiked through the woods.

They pointed out things I had never seen before.

 

They found centipedes...

made fern salads and moss soup...

...and jumped from boulder to boulder.

Though there were playgrounds and a swimming pool...

...the hill was more fun than anything!

All too soon their 'gramping trip 2013' came to an end...

and the next two arrived to find their beds in the RV.

Ryder and Ranen are both seven.

There was not a dull moment with those two!

We played ladder golf and Bocce...

swam and hiked...

ate hot dogs, s'mores and walking tacos.

We even tried making camping ice-cream...

but that required more patience than we they had!

And we all slept well.

And what's a camping trip without a trip to the candy store?

We had a good time at Camperland.

They weren't too eager to leave.

But there were two more campers waiting to take their spots.

Gramping 2013...to be cont'd.

the long weekend camping trip...

Though we needed jackets...

and firewood...

and tarps to keep things dry...

the weekend was definitely not a wash-out! 

The kids really couldn't care less if things are a little damp.

 

Nor could the ducks in the pond. 

And yes...we even saw a little sunshine.   

We were camped right next to the volleyball court...

so the girls made good use of it. 

Miss Maggie...

all decked out with her Rapunzel veil (as she called it).

The grands had a fine time hanging around the playground.

So did the rest of us, actually.

The perfect mid-day treat on a hot cool summer afternoon...

 snow cones...

made to order!

 

Note...fleece hoody and cozy blankee with snow cone in hand!

 

And when it was simply too wet to play outside...

they played in the top bunk of the RV.

The two youngest grands enjoyed their first ever family camping trip.

Micah...always good at amusing himself.

And cousin Lucy...

who thought that playing in the dirt really took the cake!

 

Keeping an eye on all the goings on in our campsite...

was this wise old bird...

perched just above us.

He may have more stories to share!