Nana Camp 2015

 This year was the third annual Nana Camp for us.  We had nine grandchildren in attendance. (you have to be potty trained)  Usually we have it in the summer, but since Chance and Colby would already be moved to Texas by then we decided to hold it in May.  Since they all love to camp with us we had a camping weekend.

We really only sleep four in our camper, so we took a tent too.  The first night Payton-14, Clara-5, and Maddux-3 slept in the tent.  Even with rain they stayed out all night.  The others slept on the living room floor.  The next night they ALL slept in the tent except Aela.  That night it rained and thundered and still they slept. (I think they were exhausted!!)

We choose a spot close to a playground and further away from the river than we usually camp.  I could see the playground from the camper.  They played and played at that playground.  I am STILL sweeping up sand in the camper!

And we hiked up to Fossil Gorge...........

Gathering for a group photo before exploring.

Drinking out of the water fountain was a lot of fun!  Everyone had a turn at it.

When we were done exploring Fossil Gorge we hiked down a paved trail next to the river.  Finding just the right walking stick was an important job when we took a break.  Then they quickly became swords!

 After lunch it was time to rest for the youngest six......and Nana while Grandpa and the three oldest fished.

 They were so exhausted that they all slept except Grayson!

Fishing was up next.  I sat and untied knots while Grandpa kept the poles full of bait.

 The two oldest boys went to their own fishing spot, so they didn't need our help.

Grandpa told them all to sit still and be patient.  Hah!  Patience in three year olds and five year olds is hard to come by.  BUT Maddux absolutely won the award for patience.  He sat perfectly still and waited until he got his first fish!  He was the only one to catch two fish that day, and he was thrilled!

One night we sat around the campfire, and the next night everyone grabbed their blanket/sleeping bag, chair, and pillow and we had a movie outside on the big screen.  Even the neighbors came to check it out!

We always do a craft.  This time we painted bird houses.

It was serious business!

And we ate........

Yummy cookies that Chance wanted to show his dad. (They're Travis' favorite.)

Nate & Chance help me make "Big Foots" for breakfast.

Chance enjoyed the BBQ chicken!  

And we ate!

Our final group picture was last.  We made the mistake of doing it when the parental units were there, which just made everything worse!  Funny how well behaved they can be when the parents aren't around!
Maddux absolutely did NOT want to wear a red nose!  So we went on without it.

 Of course when we were done.........

A good time was had by all!  But I know Nana and Grandpa were exhausted!!!

Nana camp could not happen without Grandpa!  Thanks for being a good sport and going alone with things you didn't really want to do.  And Payton and Cael were so good at playing with the little ones!