Fourth of July Mini Campout

We did a little more this year than just lighting fireworks in the street. We did a mini-campout at Flaming Gorge. We packed up the van around 4pm and headed down to Flaming Gorge, on the west side of the lake, and turned into the Buckboard camping/marina area.

It's a great camping area, with these great covered picnic tables, fire pits, and public restrooms, amen.

Setting up "camp."

Zen brought scraps of wood from our garage, and parts of the ancient wood playground we demolished in our backyard last year. First, Gil was in charge getting things cut into smaller pieces, then Dani joined in trying to light the fire with matches, one at a time (this concept was not working). Zen helped out cutting wood while stacked kindling and tried to light various little things, like grass and paper plates, on fire.

Finally, Big Daddy Zen got the fire started, even without "boyscout water" (i.e. lighter fluid.)

Gil kept an eye on Emma, so she wouldn't fall in the fire. "Hot, baby, don't touch!"


Emma played musical chairs all night, falling out of them, as well as stumbling around in her awkward shoes on the uneven ground. By the end of the night, she was covered in scratches.

Little Miss Coolio!

Dani started the whole tree-climbing business, and soon, Connor joined her.



Zen's cracked-skin hot dog masterpiece.

Emma had been eating cold hot dogs all day, and by the end of dinner, she'd brought her daily tally of hot dogs up to four or five. I half-suspected they were going to make her sick, but she wouldn't eat anything else.

Dani's hot dog had some blackened skin on it, which she peeled off, and her poor hot dog was a mangled mess when she was through. Doesn't she know that campfire flavor is the best?!

Other people took an interest in the camera, for once, so I actually showed up in some pictures this time around.

Zen's s'more masterpiece.

Little messy face. Funny story, wish I had pics, but a few days ago, Emma discovered Zen's chocolate stash by our bed, and it was like giving her crack. She kept going back to his drawer for the next few days, looking for more chocolate. So, s'mores were right up her alley.

Okay, Connor's favorite game is "Tag, you're it!" which he does constantly, trying to get someone to play with him. Usually, I refuse to play, because my joints protest, but I took pity on him yesterday, and played tag. Doing it in slip-on sandals was stupid, as you can see.

OUCH!!!

Connor kept right on running.

I called him back for some snuggles. "See, Connor, Mommy needs some hugs." This is also an illustration of the downside of letting other people take pictures, you get to see your hugeness on film, not really a pleasant experience.

After packing up our "camp", we headed over to the lake, and everyone skipped rocks.





Again, Emma just wanted to eat dirt and jump in the lake, so we didn't let her walk around, but she sure loved splashing her hands in the water.

Sunset as we left, so beautiful. I love Wyoming sunsets. I should get this enlarged to hang on the wall.

After coming home, I gave baby a bath and put her in bed, then Zen took the kids to watch the city fireworks. Then, it was back at our house to light fireworks in the street.

Gil was so glad to be back in "civilization" where he could get cell phone service, and texted all his friends to see who could come over.

Gil brought out his old-fashioned root beer bottle he got at the Scottish Festival, and lit off bottle rockets.

I didn't have the patience to set up the tripod, so excuse the blurry picture, but the moon was really beautiful with the clouds rolling by.


Gil's finger-cramping texting finally paid off, and some of his drama friends stopped by for a little while.

I love this pic, it looks like a tribal dance around the fire.

And that was our Fourth of July, WHEW!!!

I may actually be developing some enthusiasm for our family reunion campout this year. Go tents! Maybe our t-shirts could say, "Back to camping! Reunion 2008" with a tent logo, or something.