Category: camping

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to nana’s house we go

After July 4th weekend ended, the kids and I spent a month in my hometown, Yakima, escaping the heat of the Las Vegan desert. From the pictures you can tell how much time the kids spent outside. From dawn until dusk they slip-n-slided, filled water balloons, rode bikes, and swam–just how I remembered my childhood…
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We also spent some time in the mountains.
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The kids very much enjoyed meeting loads of new family, playing with nana’s dogs, and getting to know their other cousins a little better. The best part was stepping outside and not feeling my life drain instantly from my body as the scorching heat sucked it right out of me. :) Yeah, that was definitely the best part. Now that we are nearing the end of September and temps are back into the 90’s, things like grocery shopping at midday and touching my steering wheel and seatbelt have become bearable once more. I know, I know, it could always be worse–we could live in Phoenix. :)

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Lee Canyon Camping

OK, so we’re a little behind while Rach and the kids are up in Washington and Utah visiting family. I’ll get the ball rolling with our mid-June campout in Lee Canyon’s Dolomite Campground. Dolomite is the highest developed campsite in the Spring Mountains, at 8,500 feet. This was nice, as the daytime temperatures in Las Vegas were starting to get a bit warm.

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We had the pleasure of camping with the famLEA (with little Rachel in tow) and the Brummetts. Tio Rob brought little LED flashlights that the kids loved. We got some firewood from the camp hosts to ensure our chocolate and marshmallows stayed warm.

On Saturday morning, we met the DeMarco clans and headed up to Mary Jane Falls (more info here). For those who have visited Washington or Oregon waterfalls (or even turned a faucet on!), you’re not likely to be impressed. For us Southern Nevadans, it’s a raging torrent! The kids all had a blast on the little bit of snow still left at the base of the falls.

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Leaving for Mary Jane Falls
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq8d_6b0LNY

At Mary Jane Falls
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOoko3s-ZY

After saying goodbye to the rest of the group, we had fun with just the McFamily back in the campsite. The kids were learning about shelters that nomads built in earlier times and they built their own shelter from what they could find on the ground. Altogether a great weekend!

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things change

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Never a truer title for our Memorial Day tradition this year. Year five, and our group has grown by five–and a half (Jena is due anytime). Okay four of those were my kiddos, but still!!! This Memorial Day was interesting to say the least. Let’s see: camping instead of hoteling, cooking instead of eating out, and braving inclement weather instead of basking at the spa. Kids mess everything up! :)

Here we are hiking:
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And building/racing boats:
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And traversing rivers:
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And other fun stuff–a.k.a. canyons:
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The kids had a blast, of course. We love love love car camping, but we already have our rooms reserved for next year. Adam promised me after this trip that if a canyon is involved we won’t have to camp. Thanks, honey. Only true canyon wives understand the sentiment, and that’s okay with me. :) The guys only did one canyon this year so they could spend more time with the kids. Next year, the kids will also be canyon-ready. They still have to learn to swim, and have a little more experience on the ropes. See here for Jaime’s trip report. She snapped the most adorable pics of the kids trying to catch rain in their mouths. And she also explained this year’s canyoning fiasco (there’s always at least one *wink, nod*). And here are the rest of our pics. Until next year, Beautiful Zion.