We just returned from our annual camping trip to Ocean Shores. This is the third year in a row that we have gone and we had a fabulous time yet again! This year, we were joined by three families from our ward and it was so much fun to share this favorite place of ours with some of our friends. Plus, Lia loved having a multitude of children to play with and I loved having three of the meals prepared for me! We were also blessed with fabulous sunny weather the entire time (and those of you who are familiar with the WA coast know what a rarity this is). Between campfire time, tent time, beach time, and bike riding time, a good time was had by the Hartland fam. Can't wait for next year!
The Hartland fam hanging around the campfire the first night.
The gang around the campfire after dinner.
Another shot of the troop Friday night.
The children enjoyed exploring "the woods" that separated each of our adjoining campsites. Here is Lia with three of her friends: Lauren, big Rachel, and little Rachel.
Lia became interested in bike riding for the first time ever this weekend after seeing a bunch of her buddies cruising around on theirs. A little peer pressure comes in handy from time to time. Here she is trying out little Rachel's fabulous princess 3-wheeler.
The kids discovered a primitive form of sword fighting near the back of Scott and Wendy's campsite on Saturday morning. Here is Andrew defending his turf with Lia "reffing" in the background.
Lia and Rachel having a go at it!
And it's off to the beach! Ron and Lia riding through the sand dunes on the way to the beach Saturday.
Aren't they so cute?
Escorting Lia to the "lazy river" that runs from the dunes down to the ocean.
Frolicking.
More frolicking.
A happy family.
The older kids trying out some kites. 
Once Andrew and Brian showed up at the beach a little later, Lia went wild with them! She played in the water hole and the river for quite sometime before getting thoroughly chilled to the bone!
Lia and Brian getting filthy!
More filthiness. But look how happy these two are?
Trying to warm up Lia after an entire rub-down and wardrobe change. 
No trip to Ocean Shores is complete without taking the cruiser down for a cruise along the shoreline.
Ron, Lia, and the Pacific.
After lunch and nap, we headed into town with the rest of the families to wander amongst the sandcastles that had just been built that day as part of the "Sand and Sawdust Festival" going on that weekend.
One of my favorites: a dragon sleeping inside a castle.
"The Sand Bar."
Lia loves sleeping in a tent as much as I do. I thought that she looked so cute all bundled up in her corner on Saturday night that we had to take some photos.
Cheese!
We enjoyed Sunday morning to ourselves since all of the other families had to get back for church (yes, we're the slackers in the bunch). Here is Lia taking a spin on her tough-girl trike.
Back down to the beach for some more river time!
Walking down to the coast!
Ron supervising Lia's sand activities.
The Hartland fam and the Pacific.
What a glorious weekend!
Why do you do this to me? A new blog with nothing but the title... again!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like such a fun place to go camping. I miss camping in the West; it is so hot in tents here in the summer.
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