Eagle’s Nest

I’ve been pretty depressed this summer because we haven’t vacationed anywhere. I have this opinion in my head that a vacation has to be some elaborate adventure… a cruise, a European tour, a high adventure trip in the Appalachians, New York City, Disney Word (I could go on and on… and if you were a fly on my wall at home, you know I have).
Thankfully, I have wiped those unrealistic thoughts from my mind. A vacation is anything that takes you away from the monotony of every day life. And it doesn’t have to be exotic (and can’t be with 4 kids). My favorite ‘vacation’ this summer has been our camping trip to Eagle’s Nest. 
We camped there once before with some friends. I didn't bring my camera with me during that trip, so we had to visit again, to take pictures. No, actually we came back because it was one of the best camping experiences we’ve ever had. And, it only cost us $1 a person to stay, which beats a Disney World trip any day.

Eagle’s Nest is owned by the church. It’s used for girls and boys camp, but when wards aren’t using it, they open it up for families.
It was the 4th of July weekend when we went, and we were the ONLY people there! We had an ENTIRE camp to ourselves! It was my dream come true.

We were all happy! Look at our smiles… everyone is in Heaven. Grant is so happy he can’t even keep his legs still, and my smile is so big it’s about to jump out of my face!

They have a game room packed with a ping-pong, air hokey, and foosball table, games galore, slingshots, bows & arrows… everything!
There’s a team building course and a rock climbing wall. A playground. Nature walk. BB Gun range.
And canoes! The boy’s favorite….

These canoes were in the water non-stop.

Shawn and Jefferson. Isn’t it beautiful?

It rained on and off, so it was difficult to start a fire. Luckily Shawn is a super Eagle Scout and worked his magic.

Reagan and Kennedy waiting for smores…

When we weren’t canoeing, or shooting bb guns, or playing ping-pong… we were swimming….

Reagan has a way of making sure every good picture I take ends up in an album instead of on the wall.
You know what? I just decided a split-second ago…. this IS going on the wall. It actually is a very accurate picture of her character!

The water was a weird red color that frightened me…. I just didn’t trust its cleanliness.

But Shawn teased me long enough in front of the kids, so I finally got in. I couldn’t have them thinking I was a sissy. I sat at the top of the slide counting down from 3 about 20 times before I went down. Once was enough for me. But these guys did it for hours….
 

Shawn, flying in

We played in the water until it started to rain. The kids got out and ran for shelter (heaven forbid they get wet). Shawn thought it was relaxing and decided to wait (or wade) out the storm. He looks mad in this picture. I think he was just too relaxed to smile.


This really was one the best vacations ever!


This face says it all…..