From My Window

Well, we survived another camping adventure as a family of 4! We drove to South Meadows campground in the Pike National Forest, abut 2 hours away outside of Woodland Park (near Colorado Springs). We arrived around lunchtime, chose a site, ate our picnic lunch, and got set up. After a giggling attempt at a non-nap, Nathan headed off for an "explore" with Daddy while Katya got her sleep. Daddy invented the exploring Frisbee game, in which players take turns throwing the Frisbee, walking to where it lands, and talking about what they see near the Frisbee. It led our whole family to a tiny stream, perfect for 3 year old interested in throwing rocks. Back at camp, Than made a great fire and we cooked Dutch oven green chili for dinner (yummy!) and peach cobbler for dessert (oops--didn't turn out so well, since we forgot the charcoal). Our friends the Roebkes joined us after the kids went to sleep and the grownups had great fun around the campfire. Everyone survived the cold night OK--only one "up in the middle of the night" in our tent, and both kids got their needs met at the same time. The Roebke clan made breakfast and then we set off for a long walk to a nearby lake. We walked around the lake, and by the time we came back Nathan was done. He and Katya both fell asleep while the grownups ate lunch and Than and I cleaned up camp. We headed back to Denver around 3:30, leaving the Roebkes to enjoy one more child-free night. We enjoyed the chance to get away, move at a slower pace, and watch our kids experience nature one step closer to the way God created it.