Camping at Ocean Shores

We returned to Ocean Shores for the fifth summer this past weekend with two other families for our annual camping trip.  Although we have a newborn this year, I decided to be brave and carry on this tradition--especially since I knew that Lia and Logan would have so much fun.  We actually had a good time and Ron and I survived our two nights camping there by sleeping in different tents.  Since both Logan and Ella wake up throughout the night, we knew that it would be toxic to put them together.  Luckily, we have two tents, two air mattresses, and two pack 'n plays, so we were able to establish a "girls tent" and a "boys tent" and made it through both nights pretty peacefully.  Overall we had a great time with our friends and enjoyed our time playing on the beach, riding our bikes, cooking dutch oven meals, and spending time around the campfire.  We can't wait to return next year!

After arriving Friday, we gathered that evening with our friends for dinner and to celebrate Mayce's third birthday.

Getting ready to blow out the candles!

We spent Saturday morning down at the beach.  Here are all five of us ready to ride our bikes down to the sand.

Ron, Logan, and Lia hitting the beach after riding through the dunes.

Ella was a good, little companion on my back as we made our way down to the beach.

A close-up of my baby and me.

All of the kids had such a great time playing down by the water.  Here is Lia and her bosom buddy, Kaylee, digging in the sand.

As usual, Logan was fearless and played in the freezing surf with gusto.

Logan filling up his bucket with water.

The Hartland fam and the Pacific Ocean.

After Logan got knocked over by a wave, Ron stripped him down to his shorts for more fun in the sun.

Logan playing in the "pit" that some of the other kids dug.  Needless to say, this boy was covered in sand after we brought him back to the campground.

Lia in the dunes.

Lia and Kaylee in the dunes.

Baby Ella did a great job and slept in my backpack carrier for the majority of the time that we were down on the beach.  She woke up at the very end...just in time for a picture!

The kids spent hours cruising up and down the lane in front of our campgrounds on their bicycles.  Here are some of the kids pausing for a quick picture.

We made a delicious sausage stew for dinner on Saturday night.  Logan was fascinated by all of the campfire cooking and assisted as much as could.

Eating dinner around the picnic table with our friends.

We headed out Sunday morning for another family bike ride.  We put Ella in the bike trailer for the first time with Lia at her side.  She actually did pretty well (as long as Ron was moving) and eventually fell asleep for the rest of our ride around the campground.

Ron pulling all three of our kids.  What a guy!