"It's Raining, Let's go Camping!"

Growing up, "It's Raining, Let's go Camping" was frequently exclaimed in my household at the first sight of raindrops.  I'm not sure if it was my brother who said it or if I was me but it still holds true.  It seems that most every time we went camping, it would indeed rain so in the minds of my brother and I, the two things went hand in hand.  

I suppose that I should find it funny that when we finally get off on our first camping trip as a family the forecast should read:  "Rain showers early will evolve into more steady rain overnight.  Rainfall near a quarter of an inch."  Not just showers but RAIN showers (we know here in Oregon, that there is a big difference between showers and rain).  Showers is "rain here and there" and Rain is relentless.  

Nevertheless, we did go.  And we did stay... I think more than anything it was to prove to ourselves that we could indeed do it.  We have the gear... why not use it?  The first couple of hours we did have a great time.  Kent set up the tent and camp and the boys and I took a walk around the campground.  It was a beautiful campground, but I don't remember the spots being quite so close together growing up.  Once camp was set up we roasted hot dogs, followed by marshmallows.  All along, we had showers but just the sprinkling sort... not a deal breaker by any means.  

Then the RAIN hit.  We tried hanging out in the tent, but have you ever hung out in a tent with a 5 year old BOY, 2 year old BOY and a baby BOY before?  From there we alternated from hanging out outside under our "tarp smoke funnel" and hanging out in the tent.  We had some jiffy pop under the tarp and a lot of laughs.  

Sleep time was interesting... I think Finley woke up to nurse about 12 times (usually 2 or 3 is his maximum).  Hudson and Spencer both took turns waking up scared/confused but lucky Kent was sleeping right in between them.  As we were going to sleep our neighbors were doing what campers do... talking and laughing and having fun... slightly annoying but to be expected.  I don't think they appreciated it much though when Hudson woke at his normal time and at his normal volume.  Hudson has one volume and it's called two year old volume.  There is no turning it down (we've tried).

When we got up we basically packed up and called it a success!  We had purchased those mini-boxes of cereal at the store.  You know, the kind we don't allow on a day to day basis.  Spencer had chosen Cocoa Puffs (he calls them Cookoo for Cocoa Puffs).  Hudson went with the Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  We came home and made coffee and the eggs and bacon we had planned.  I mean, it was raining, can you blame us?

The sleeping bags are draped over the stair railing, the tent is hanging from the garage and the wet clothes are almost all clean and folded.  We're just about back to normal and more than ready to try this again... but please next time NO RAIN!!!