Oh, A Camping We Will Go

Camping is what we do. Every year we go on several camping trips. We go just our small little family, we go with extended family, we go with friends, we go as a couple, we go for a long time or just a short overnighter. Camping is what we do. 

This year, we went camping once...... tragic. 

Seems every time we tried to go something was going on. We have two family reunions that we go camping for and we didn't get to go to those either. Missed one because of work and the other because I had a two day old baby. People think I'm crazy for wanting to go camping while I'm pregnant. But I love getting out of the valley to enjoy nature and cool weather. Marshmellows, campfires, dutch oven cooking, naps, games. Love it.

My Parents decided last year that they were going to start a little family reunion of their own and go the weekend after general conference every year. We went last year and were planning the trip for this year.

Finally.... we were going camping!! For 5 days!!!! Yippee!

I was so looking forward to this trip. It was a much needed escape. It was the craziest weather ever on a camping trip, but it was perfect. The day we got up there is was super windy and a storm was rolling in. About 2am the rain started and never let up. It just kept coming down with a crazy vengeance. Finally it seemed to have stopped but when we woke up that morning. We found it hadn't stopped but it had turned to snow! What?!

My kids were dying! They love the snow! 

It snowed most of that day then by the next day it was warmer and the snow was melting. We thought it was going to be a muddy mess but it dried up by the third day.

Molly stayed toasty warm the whole time. I was worried she was going to freeze but she was perfect the whole time minus the night I drank hot chocolate. It gave her a bad tummy ache. My bad.

 A tarantula decided to grace us with it's presence. It was just wondering thru camp and I nearly stepped on it. Just about gave me a heart attack!

 Kael found an inch worm and decided to make it his friend for the day.

 And of course the kids loved riding quads. We learned that Claire is a little dare devil and Kael is a chicken. She would yell go faster and lean into it. When you would go fast she would just squeal with delight and say do it again. 

We all got good and dirty. And even though we didn't get to go on any other camping trips this year this one definitely made up for it.

Here is my new favorite dutch oven dessert: Almost Pumpkin Pie (12" Camp Dutch Oven)

Filling: 

1 (29 ounce) can of pumpkin 

1 TBSP pumpkin pie spice

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup evaporated milk

Topping:

1 pkg yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 cup butter

Mix together all the filling ingredients. Pour into greased 12 inch Dutch Oven. Cut butter into cake mix then mix in nuts. Sprinkle over top. Bake for 1 hour with 8 coals on the bottom and 16 on top. When done, may be served with whipped cream or ice cream. May also be served cold. Serves 12-16.

We got this recipe from a dutch oven cookbook. It is seriously awesome!!