Backyard Campout

I really wanted to go camping this summer, and my mom even said she would help me if Devon was too busy, or too camped out because of scouts.  One weekend we had thought about going, but it didn't work out, I decided to put the tent up in the backyard and see if I thought camping would work with so many kids and a baby.  We had a blast and slept outside together for two nights, and Devon even joined us on the second night.  We ate all our meals outside, and grilled and used the campfire for our dinners. During the day we hung out in the tent and yard as much as we could - playing games and relaxing.  It was so hot that eventually we hung out in the basement and continued our games.  What fun it was!  It was a little tricky with Ashlyn. I decided it would be easier to just have her sleep inside, and leave her window open so I can hear her if she wakes up in the night.  I'm thinking next summer might be a little easier when she is walking and I can actually set her down somewhere.  Right now she just wants to be held, and if I do put her down, she has to sit, which isn't as easy when camping.

Funny Story:
We meant to get the tent down on Saturday, but the day was really busy and it just didn't work out.  The boys were begging to sleep another night in the tent, so we figured we would let the three older boys sleep out there alone.  We left our window open so we could hear if there were any problems.  Just after midnight, we heard Dylan and Ethan screaming and yelling. Devon went out to see what was going on.  Apparently Dylan had woken up in the middle of the tent, completely disoriented and out of his sleeping bag.  He decided that Ethan was in his spot and in his sleeping bag somehow.  Ethan and Dylan had been sleeping feet to feet, so I'm not quite sure how he decided that one.  Because he was certain that Ethan was in his bag, he began to pull Ethan out of his sleeping bag, giving Ethan quite the rude awakening.  Of course, Ethan was hollering in protest!  Devon got Dylan sorted out, and everyone back to bed.  We got quite the laugh about it!  We do kind of wonder what the neighbors thought if they heard any of the yelling.