Kick Off To Summer Camping Trip!

Last year we went camping at Oasis in Ephrata during all that awful smoke in September. This year we decided we wanted to go in either May or June as a kick off to summer. After calling and finding out that the pool would in fact be open this summer, we decided on June since the pool doesn't open until Memorial Day. 

Ga-Ga & Pa came with us last year so we invited them to join us again. They always stay at the Best Western that's maybe a mile away from the campground. I also decided to ask Kim if their family would be interested in joining us since we'd be camping over Jack's birthday. I thought it would be fun for Jack to have his friends with him to celebrate. Now, I know that my best friend does not enjoy camping...at all! I texted her with no expectation that she would actually say yes at all. You can imagine my surprise when after thinking about it and talking it through they decided to come over on Saturday, hang out with us, spend one night at the Best Western and then hang out with us on Sunday prior to heading home. I was so incredibly happy!!! 

Our camping trip was from Thursday, June 3rd - Monday, June 7th. Our plan was to get out and on the road around 11am. The kids were so stoked they were ready so fast! We ended up getting on the road at 10am instead. We always stop in Cle Elm for lunch. The inside of MCD's is still closed so we have to order on the app and then go stand in the pick up parking spot since Michael can't park the truck and trailer in the spot. I cannot wait for more things to open up! 

The nice thing about camping is it's not like a hotel where you have to wait for the cleaning crew to get to your room. We were much earlier than I thought we'd be and our campsite was all ready for us. We got our normal site #69. It's the longest most spacious campsite, it's right next to the pond and it's right across from the bathrooms. 

The older boys went around helping daddy get the trailer all set up! 

Of course the younger two don't really have any responsibilities during the set up time so they just ran off and start exploring. 

Every camping trip I feel like we figure things out more and more. I treat the trailer like I do my home. I'm constantly evaluating whether or not it's meeting our needs and if it can be improved upon. Prior to this trip I decided I wanted to built something that would completely transform how the kitchen area functioned for us. I had pinned this idea on Pinterest, but of course we had to customize it for our trailer and needs. We went to Lowe's to get the supplies...thankfully we didn't need any wood so this project cost less than $40! 

I now have lightweight upper shelves for our kitchen! This was prior to my mom and I going shopping so some of the shelves are empty. Normally that open counter space right in the middle would be taken up with those plastic 3 drawer Sterilite containers. I would have about 3 - 4 inches of counter space! It was totally not working at all. 

I made a last minute decision to go buy 3 packages of hooks so we could also take advantage of the sides for storage space. It worked so well to hold our cups, utensils and pot holders. 

Once Ga-Ga & Pa got there and we got the trailer all settled and then sat down to visit. I had noticed there was huge pile of wood that was left by someone at an empty campsite not far from ours. We had the kids work for their future fires by going and getting the wood. I went and helped too. We ended up getting so many pieces of wood we even had wood to take home with us. If you'll remember we used all our wood trying to burn that silly stump down so I was concerned about how much wood was going to cost for us to have fires at night. Thankfully God provided and I didn't even need to worry at all! :) 

Here is the kitchen all organized after Ga-Ga & I went to Wal-Mart. I did keep one of my slim Sterilite 3 drawer containers it's to the right of stove...which the fan is sitting on in this picture. It held a few things, but it also serves as an nightstand for the boys. It has the noisemaker and the clock sitting on it and it also gives Owen a place to put his glasses. 

The day we arrived the weather was amazing...it was 97 degrees! With the wind and no humidity it was perfect! I always plan for us to go out to dinner for the first night. I figure we worked really hard getting the trailer all set up, why not reward ourselves by not having to cook. My second reason is I love to support a business in the town. We love to go to DK's! Last year Pa & Michael went to pick up the food and brought it back to the campsite, but this time they were open inside. It was so nice to eat inside. I would say that around 60% - 70% of the town was mask free. They still have signs posted, but they don't care if you don't wear one...it was so nice and normal. 

Last year when I scheduled our camping trip I did so around the pool schedule. We had been told the pool was open so you can imagine how sad the kids were when we got there and it was closed. We were so happy that it was open this year! 

Living his best life for sure!!! 

I love the pond that's right next the campsite. Sometimes it can be covered with this film that makes it look yucky, but there were times when we were there that it looked like glass...it was so beautiful! 

Another reason we love site #69 is because the pond is on one side and then 4 tent sites are on the other side. We have never had anyone tent camping next to us. In fact usually the 2 sites next to use are open. This gives the kids room to putt around the golf balls and get some practice. Zeke was doing just that and he got his ball stuck in the tree. It was a one in a million shot. 

We didn't have smoke this trip so that was nice, but what we did have was wind! It was so windy while Michael was trying to make breakfast that he had to use the card table to shield the griddle so the flame wouldn't go out. 

Ready for some yummy breakfast! 

Ga-Ga is usually the one that does dishes during the camping trip. She'll have help from usually one other person. This time Ella was her helper. This time I remembered to pack all the paper products so the only dishes we had were the cooking dishes so that was much nicer that having to wash plates, bowls and silverware. 

You might notice the EZ-UP above the picnic table. Pa had asked Stephie to order 3 of these through Costco's website and have them shipped to her since they were going to be on vacation. Well, when they got back from vacation Stephie had 7 boxes for them. They were a bit confused, but Stephie thought that maybe the EZ-UP's were so big they came in two boxes. Nope, Costco had shipped her 6 EZ UP's that were the ones that Pa wanted and then a totally different kind with a screen around it. Pa looked at his credit card and he had only been charged for the 3 he wanted. He contacted Stephie to make it right...she's worked for Costco since she was 18. She said no way...it was going to make a total inventory nightmare for Costco trying to take back merchandise and not giving the customer money back for that inventory...so she said to keep them. So we got a free EZ UP!

One of our favorite things about Oasis is the 9-hole par 3 golf course. It's perfect for people that are just learning and it's not going to cost you can arm and a leg. Golfing all day long cost $20 and you can go as many times as you want. It was so much fun! I didn't actually golf at all this time because the kids wanted to go with Michael. They normally only allow parties of 4 to be together so I just let Michael take the kids. Thankfully they weren't busy so they let all 5 of them stay together. 

Friday the 4th, was a beautiful day. I believe it was 88 degrees...so nice! Now, the pool is not heated at all, which in the dead of summer is probably really nice, but this was their first heat wave after the pool had been opened so it was chilly. There was no way I was getting in it, but Michael hopped in with the kids and had some fun! 

Instead I sat in the sun and read my book. Which I would totally not recommend this book. It was the only one I brought so I was stuck with it so I read it. 

The first time Ga-Ga & I went at Wal-Mart during this trip, I bought each of the boys a summer outfit. I had already gone shopping with Ella for summer clothes prior to this. We had a fun girl shopping day with all the Dial girls on May 29th. Ella wasn't able to find sandals though so we thought we'd take her to Wal-Mart to look. Not only did we find sandals, but we also found a hammock so we had to get that as well! 

Hanging out around camp waiting for dinner! 

That second night for dinner we had Teriyaki Chicken sliders! I'm telling you I struggled with trying to figure out what to make for camping prior to buying this griddle / grill. This has been the best purchase for our camping trips. 

Pa & his Zekester! 

Pa is always good about taking pictures of our whole set up. I always forget to do that.

See our nice pile of wood...it's actually 2 rows of wood. 

Pa took the kids swimming again while we hung out back at the campsite. 

These kids are living their best life! 

Geronimo! 

Showing off their skills! 

The poor flamingo did not make it! 

The kids had so much fun! 

It was fun that they had the whole pool to themselves! I'm sure that had something to do with us coming at the beginning of June before school got out. 

Zeke man can only make it so long before he starts freezing! 

Pa being silly! 

The Birthday Boy! 

The next day was Saturday, June 5th...Jack's actual 13th birthday! Pa took some of the kids up to go mini golfing right at the same time the Storer's showed up so they got to go too! 

Last year this mini golf course had seen better days. Since then it's been completely repainted. It looks so bright and beautiful now! 

Ella forgot to bring tennis shoes with her so she was rocking the socks in flip flops look! :) 

Time for lunch! 

Jack got to choose all 3 meals for his birthday day. For breakfast we had Strawberry waffles with sausage links. For lunch we had Mummy dogs, Mac 'n Cheese and fruit. For dinner we had cheeseburgers, baked beans, salad and corn on the cob. Not that he actually wanted the veggies! 

Later on after lunch Ella and Caitlynn wanted to go swimming. While Michael took all the boys out golfing. 

The only downside to this camping trip was the wind. On Saturday we had 20-30 MPH wind with 40 MPH gusts. It was gusty so I think the girls were a little cold! 

After swimming the kids all decided to hang out in the trailer. This time around the kids all remembered to bring some money with them so they were able to purchase some fun candy or toys at the little camp store. Ella and Caitlynn both got coloring books. They were each coloring a picture in their own book and then switching and coloring a picture in each others books. 

These boys were up in our bed area playing Telestrations. I love all those big smiles!!! 

This boy is a little monkey man! 

The whole gang celebrating Jackson!!! 

I'm a lame mama and I forgot candles so I used the next best thing....the citronella bug repellent candles! 

Jackson hates the smell of citronella so he was eager to blow them out. I love that Josiah look likes he's ready to help in the background! :) 

Enjoying his rainbow chip cake! This was the first time I've used the oven in the trailer to cook a cake and it actually turned out pretty good. There was a section in the middle that didn't rise all the way for some reason, but it tasted fine! 

I so enjoyed the time we got to hang out with Micah and Kim! We actually camped at this same spot with some other friends way back in the early 2000's prior to any of us having kids. Seems like a lifetime ago!  

These kids had the time of their lives. I love it when they are outside, using their imagination and not complaining about going on electronics! 

Camping is the best!!! 

Since it was so windy, Michael ending up using one of the truck tiedowns to secure the right corner of the EZ UP to the tree in the right of the picture. After he did that it felt so much safer! 

Once the sun goes down behind the little hill by our campsite it gets pretty chilly! 

Owen spent his own money on some of those fun color changing packs that you throw in the fire. I absolutely love this picture that Pa took. It's mesmerizing! 

I think Ella might have forgotten her sunglasses on this trip so she decided to use one of Michael's hats. She definitely looks adorable in hats and she certainly knows it! 

Gotta love a good campfire! We had so much fun sitting around the campfire telling all sorts of story about when the kids were young and the silly or fun things they would do or say. 

Photo op with the birthday boy! 

The next morning, Sunday, June 6th was chillier...the Storer's hung out at their hotel to let the kids swim in the pool. Michael made a scrumptious breakfast hash and we sat around the fire. The Storer family joined us around 11ish. The kids had loads of fun playing over by the little stream in the dirt. They ate lunch with us and then started their journey home. Once they were off we got in our cars and headed over to Dry Falls. Last year when we went to see Dry Falls we didn't see anything but smoke. The drive was amazing this time around so much beauty in the rock formations. 

Here we are...finally getting to see Dry Falls. 

This was last year's experience. So thankful there isn't any smoke this year! 

The Visitor Center ended up being open to we got to on inside. Pa bought Ella a little stuffed animal squirrel since she had spent all her money at the campground. Zeke used some of his money and bought a squirrel also and a beaver. Jackson got into the visitor center with only a couple minutes to spare before closing which if you know Jackson you know we can take forever to make a decision. It was probably for the best that he had to hurry up and decide quick. He got a Saber Tooth Tiger and Snowy Owl. Michael bought us some Garlic Parmesan fries that were amazing. Ga-Ga got Owen an ice cream cone which unfortunately the ice cream fell off the cone into the gravel. Thankfully Ga-Ga came to the rescue and took the big scoop of freezing cold ice cream to the bathroom and scrapped off all the gravel so Owen could still eat it. He said it was great! 

After our treats everyone headed for the truck, but Michael and I got to talking with the State Parks guy at the Visitor Center. He was a interesting guy to say the least. We talked for a bit and were enlightened by him. According to him if you don't take the vaccine and then you walk around like you are vaccinated you will die. His exact phrase was..."You lie, You die!" Alrighty we'll be going now! 

My sweet Zeke wanted another picture before it was time to get in the truck and head back! 

I always forget to take pictures when we are getting ready to go home. We usually get up and get right to work. Of course it was gorgeous on the day we left. It was seriously hard to leave. I told Michael that if we had come in two vehicles I would have absolutely stayed for another week. One funny thing that happened that morning was I grabbed Michael's phone to see what the weather was like back home. I didn't want to dress all warm if the weather was going to be nice where we were going. Michael's app told me that it was going to 95 degrees so I told the kids to dress in shorts. Ella and I walked over to the office to check out and pay our bill. It dawned on me that it was crazy that it was going to be 95 degrees in western Washington in early June. I had my phone at that moment so I checked again and it said it was only going to be 65! When I got back to the campsite I told Michael and he casually said, "Oh yeah I forgot I accidentally added Des Moines, IA!" That sounded about right. At this point the trailer was already taken down so no one was able to change into warmer clothes! Oops!