Camping and Nebraska

June has been a very busy month for us and although it's been fun; I can't say that I am sad to see it go. We've done a few things we've never done before and when you do new things with a toddler I think it's a little more difficult.

Hal's father's day present was a tent so we could go camping one night over Father's day weekend (I know one night- no big deal, but we're beginners). So we found the perfect spot, not a lot of people around and far enough out of town to make it quiet (way too quiet). We planned on eating hamburgers that Hal was going to cook over the fire so we decided to leave on Friday at about 6:00. We accomplished that goal. Then we made a run to Target to get some last minute things- yard games, marshmallow roasters (I regret throwing out all my wire hangers now that I had to spend $3 on the roasters), an ice chest, and just a few small other items that I can't remember right now. Then we were off to QT to get soda and ice and a lighter for the fire (yeah we can't make a fire with sticks yet- like I said we're beginners). Finally around 7:00 we pulled out of town. The campsite was about 25 minutes away and we were all having a good time when about 20 minutes into the drive Hal slapped himself on the head and said,"I forgot a lighter." Okay so as not to have to eat raw hamburger we turned around to go to the closest gas station- about 20 minutes away. (And yes when Hal got out at the gas station I lovingly reminded him to not forget the Lighter).
Finally we made it to the campsite about an hour after we wanted to.
Hal put together our tent and made our dinner

while Kailea, Logan, and I played.

After we ate it was Logan's bed time. We wrestled for about an hour while I put him to sleep.

Here are some fun things that happened in the night:

1. Hal locked the keys in the car.
2. I had to use the bathroom, however, it was quite a distance away, so Hal held the lantern for me while I went by a tree. and wouldn't you know I picked the tree with the fire ants. Man those suckers sting.
3. About 4 in the morning we heard the rain hit the top of our tent, thus ending our first camping trip as a family.

This past weekend Hal got the opportunity to go to tryouts for MLB. It was in Omaha, Nebraska- about 6-7 hour drive. He did great, but didn't make the first cut. He was among a group of about 200 guys and the majority of them were still in High School and more than 10 years younger than Hal, and they are playing the game everyday where as Hal doesn't. It was a bit disappointing, but he left feeling very encouraged that performed as well as he did. He knows where he stands and what areas he needs to work on for next year so he'll be spending a lot of time at the gym!

We weren't in any hurry to get home so we stopped in Kansas City for a couple hours walking around an outdoor mall there. Logan enjoyed the outdoor fountain there and cried when we had to leave.

I'd like to say July will be less eventful for our family, but I doubt it.