We were on the fence about this camping trip. The forecast called for rain and we didn’t want to spend our weekend in the tent playing Uno (a weekend playing Uno is pretty awesome, but muddy shoes and wet socks are the real bummer). 

We decided to go for it and I’m so glad we did! We packed up the car, picked up the girls,and headed up to Jellystone Park, outside of Estes. We got a great little camp site with a lot of privacy, quite close to restrooms, and the weather held out for us. It sprinkled a bit, but the rest of the weekend was nice and cool and relaxing. 

Who would have thought I would love camping? I’ve never considered myself an outdoors kind of girl, but I’m hooked on camping. I love being in the mountains, the relaxing, the quiet, the lack of cell service, no ipads, no laundry to be done or house to be cleaned, and no emails to be checked. It just makes my heart happy to be with my family and doing absolutely nothing with absolutely no expectations or distractions. We reconnect, laugh, hike, play games, and make some meals and snacks together. It’s really, really good. 

While B set up camp the girls escaped to the arcade for a bit. 

B did all the heavy lifting setting up our camp. He’s good to us. 

B and Gwyneth took dinner duty Friday night. 

Annabelle entertained them with her dancing while they roasted hot dogs. 

After dinner, G and I went for a long walk and explored the camp site. We played mini golf and came up a plan for the next day. That one on one time with the girls is pretty great. 

The next morning we had breakfast and then Annabelle and I went for a little hike. She wanted to check out the horses across the road. 

We wandered a bit and she told me the amazing stories of fourth grade. She can tell a story and she can tell a lot of them. I’m glad she’s a talker and still shares her tales with me. 

Our home away from home for the weekend. 

We decided to sneak away from the campsite for lunch. We went to Villa Tatra a little polish restaurant in the hills that didn’t seem to mind that we were a bit grimy from camping. The polish dishes were authentic and delicious and a nice little break from camping food. 

(I get that we are on a campsite with an arcade, bathrooms, and can sneak away for lunch and that isn’t really “camping” to some. It works for us. We love sleeping in our big ol’ tent outside all together and it’s a good stepping stone for us. So hush!)

We enjoyed some polish brews and the girls had shirley temples. 

And then back to our campsite we went. We set up ladderball and went for more hikes and cruised around in our golf cart. 

How chic is this girl?

Ready to roll

The pavilions hosted a carnival theme and there were games set up for the kiddos. We played for a bit. 

Played a little mini golf

and then went back to our site to roast marshmallows. 

The next morning we were up bright and early for breakfast and to do a little more exploring.

The girls and I hiked around while B packed up our campsite (because he’s an amazing dad and husband and he does that kind of stuff for us and we love him so much!)

The girls picked their favorite spots and asked for pictures. 

And posed themselves and were too stinkin’ cute. 

I love having this quiet time with my family. I feel recharged and reconnected with them and ready for the week ahead.

I also feel very dirty and can’t wait to get home and shower, but it was absolutely beautiful while it lasted!