Camping: Deception Pass

July 28-30, 2012 - Deception Pass was the chosen location for our annual neighborhood camping trip this year.  Last year, at 37+ weeks pregnant, we decided not to participate.  This year, we made the commitment in January and while there were many times over the course of the year that I was sure that at least half (the female half) of our family would not make the trip, I'm pleased to report that we did.  It was a fun and exciting weekend full of all the pleasures of camping in the great outdoors + friends and family.  We had a blast, although it was anything but relaxing, and I venture to predict there will be more family camping trips in our future...perhaps in an RV?  Did I just admit that?

Lucky for us, Luke and Cheri live just minutes away from Deception Pass and were available to come over and play for the afternoon.  Their timing was perfect, arriving when we did, and we immediately put them to work helping us set up camp...Now where were they when it was time to pack up?

The beach was a beauty.
So were the beach go-ers!

Happiness = a day at the beach!

If you're going camping AND the there's a beach nearby AND you already have a full car AND you're pulling a trailer full of gear AND there's still room on top of the car, why not strap the paddle boards on to the roof ?  Oh, the bikes!  Yes, bring the bikes, just in case.  The kids?  They're in there somewhere.  I think?  Honey, did you pack the kids?

A s'more before bed.

My bed partner.  Rise and Shine!

This picture is deceiving -
Peyton slept snug as a bug in his own sleeping bag in his own tent and just dropped by for an early morning cuddle.
While Allie did spend much of the night cozy in my sleeping bag, I did not.  Funny, the picture makes the bag look so roomy, yet somehow I passed the night shivering with my back side hanging out in the cold.  How is that even possible.  Look at her, she doesn't look like she takes up any space at all!

Enjoying hot cocoa in the wee hours of the morning

While there was very little sleep on this trip, we did find several moments to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

Our adventure continued...trail riding!  (Sure made packing the bikes well worth the effort).

Evidently the site we occupied for the weekend wasn't vacant.

Rite of passage:  First family camping trip.