My First Camping Trip!!!!

Each May and again in October, Uncle Dan organizes a big weekend camping trip for dear friends and family. Daddy and mommy always look forward to it and try to go. We were especially excited this year because we got to introduce Eli to the experience and the great outdoors! We went to McCormick's Creek State Park -- and he was quite the camper!

We arrived on Friday and it was quite cool for May in Indiana! It was low to mid 40s on Friday night. When we arrived, Uncle Dan, Scott, Andrew, Haley, Claire, Nick and Jack were all hanging out and cooking dinner over the fire. Eli played with the girls, had dinner, cuddled up in a blanket and fell right asleep by the campfire with mom and dad. When it was time for bed, we headed into the tent for the night and bundled little Eli up tight. Eli slept straight through the night on Friday. However, when he woke up at 5am and found he wasn't in his crib and didn't have his "Ocean Wonders" music that he turns on and off at home, he was a little scared. Being in a tent, I think everyone heard how scared he was. Or, maybe they heard mom and dad ... first, we couldn't find his bottle and as we searched our whispers grew louder; then, mom shook Eli's bottle without the lid on so the milk flew all over the sleeping bag and tent; then, we tried to feed Eli his favorite banana cereal only to realize that we forgot a bowl to mix it in; all of this by the light of a flashlight with fading batteries was quite trying for mom and dad. Eli, however, was able to eat a bit and then fell right back to sleep in mommy's sleeping bag (with mommy laying on the ground). :)

Eli then had breakfast with Haley and Claire. Haley read Eli a couple of books which he thoroughly enjoyed!

After breakfast, we hung out around the campsite and went for a walk. Daddy really enjoyed pushing Eli in his stroller up and down the trails. Eli loved it! They are going to be quite the pair hiking, fishing and camping in the coming years!

And, more friends arrived throughout the day: Hala, Nick, Evan, Anne, and Kelly! (Below are some pics of the fun Eli had with his new friends.) And, rest assured, the next morning was a little more smooth! Mommy and Daddy had laid out all of the essentials the night before. When Eli awoke at 5am, mommy gave him a bottle and then we headed out for a drive. Eli and mommy both fell asleep in the car for a while and then headed back to the campsite after everyone was up. We had breakfast at the Canyon Inn, lunch at the campfire, and then headed home. Eli was so great! We can't wait until the next camping trip - in October, if not before!