Catching Up

Contrary to what you may have assumed, I have NOT dropped off the face of the earth, given up writing my blog or broken an arm (or two).  The silence here on this blog is inversely related to the crazy, busy life that has been happening here in my corner of New Hampshire.  I will try to write about all that has been happening, and here is a start:

We actually took a vacation a couple of weeks ago.  We went camping.  Not my favorite thing to do, although after I read this from Margaret, I felt a little more inspired.  Camping has a way of re-connecting us with each other.  The days are longer because the "time-thieves" (i.e. the computer, that dastardly TV, and the toxic video games) have been left at home.  Without the screens to capture our attention, we are left to focus on one another.  The kids look for ways to occupy themselves and get active--frisbee, bike riding, swimming, miniature golf, shuffle board, swimming again, playground, and even, *gasp* a walk with mom and dad around the campground.  We play games, read books, talk to each other and pray. I even snuck in a math worksheet or two for the younger boys--they were not impressed. 

Campfires are the best part of camping.  We all love to roast marshmallows, although none of us likes to eat them much.  Daddy will eat one or two, but that's his limit.  The only ingredient of s'mores that I like is the chocolate, and I prefer my chocolate straight up, thank you.  But, still, the campfire's the best.

We were supposed to borrow my sister-in-law's camper, but there was a mechanical problem with it, so we borrowed an older, much-loved pop-up from a friend.  By "older, and much-loved" I mean old and a good deal past its prime.  First off, the spare tire that used to be attached to the back of the camper flew off as we were driving down the road.  I was following my husband in our van with one of the kids.  It was a good thing I was watching that spare tire bounce up and down crazily, because when it came off, I was able to stop quickly.  If I hadn't been able to stop as quickly as I did, it is likely the tire would have crashed into my windshield!!  It was pretty frightening. 
As we drove into the campground, we could see that, like many campgrounds these days, a lot of the campers there were "seasonals", meaning that they are people who leave their campers there year round and come up when they are able--kind of like having a lake house, but without the lake...or the house.  You can pick out seasonals pretty easily.  They are the fancy big campers with the slide-outs that have decks with lattice and perennial gardens surrounding them. 
Pulling in with our *ahem* well-loved pop-up (minus the spare tire), we bore an uncanny resemblance to the Clampett family as they journeyed into Beverly Hills.

Seriously...

Come to think of it, I have a son (or two) whose appetite rivals that of Jethro Bodine.

Fortunately, our neighbors didn't resemble Mrs. Drysdale.  The other campers were very welcoming and kind.  Perhaps out of pity, but still, they were nice.

Our home Sweet home

As we set the camper up, we came to realize that the electricity didn't work.  Also, the water hook-up leaked, so we turned the water on "only" when we needed it.  So...no power...no water.  And the bed that hubby and I were supposed to share was somewhere between a twin and full size.  Around this time, hubby had to ummm, "remind" me that we were having fun. 
Oh yes, that's right...fun.
Eventually, I did adjust my attitude, and we did have a good time.  This double rainbow that appeared after we set up helped.

The kids really enjoyed the playground, mini golf, shuffleboard

and, of course, the "cement pond."

After four days, we left for home, refreshed and rejuvenated and re-connected with one another. 
I'm pretty sure I heard them say as we left, "Y'all come back now, here?"