Escape to Pine Valley

Since we had been kind of jerky and kept to ourselves for the 4th, Emily and I decided we should probably at least try to do something together this week...since we live by each other and all.  So, Emily asked if we'd like to head up to Pine Valley to roast hot dogs and s'mores last night.  She also lured us in by telling me it would be a good 15-20 degrees cooler up there.  So we packed up food, chairs and games and off we went.

Here are the pictures from our lovely evening in the mountains.

Watching Dave get the fire going to start our roasting

 Having FUN 

Molly sat in the dirt and would pick up a hand full and let it slowly fall out of her hands. 

Brielle and Brooklyn enjoying a rousing game of badminton

Addison was in super hero mode with this cape that came with her camp chair.  She made me pretend to be stuck in the trees so she could save me.

Claire digging

The tent pad made for a great sandbox for the kids to play in

Molly and Kennedy were buddies, "hiking" around and playing together as well.

Posing on rocks...seems to be the cool thing to do.  (Claire was off digging in the dirt)

They discovered the "mini woods" and ran around there for a while.

Brielle actually stopped and smiled for the camera...a rare occurrence.

Claire being Claire.

Dave sent the kids off to see who could find the biggest pine cone.  Brielle and Claire were comparing theirs...

Uncle Dave had to step in to be the official judge...I actually don't remember who had the bigger pine cone though.

*Side note*

When we first pulled up, Addison looked out the window and yelled, "Look, coconuts!"  I told her they were actually pine cones.  Apparently we aren't spending enough time out in nature.

*Back to pictures*

We got dinner started.

Molly couldn't get herself back all the way in her chair, so she'd sit like this until someone rescued her and scooted her back.

After dinner we went off on a little walk to see the reservoir.

It was SO beautiful!

Emily suggested a game of leap frog...

Brooklyn and Brielle tried...

But they quickly kicked Emily out of the game and played just themselves.

Climbing "the biggest rock in the whole universe" (according to Brielle)

Then it was back to "camp" for the s'mores (and watermelon)

I put the camera away as we did s'mores, because I was covered in marshmallow...but they were also fun and delicious.

The weather was PERFECT and nobody wanted to leave.  We all wished we had brought camping gear to just stay the night.  

But alas, we didn't.  

And with babies and bed time, we cleared out before 9:00 p.m. to head home.  

New goal: Buy a cabin in Pine Valley.

More realistic goal: Get setup to camp more - either with gear or an inexpensive tent trailer.

It was such a great evening!  Thanks to Emily and Dave for inviting us and introducing us to this great place!