Our first camp out alone

After owning our camper for a few years we finally got to go on a weekend camping trip with out the kids. We went to visit our college, Central Washington University, in Ellensburg and had fun doing all the things we never seemed to have time to do while we were in school. We stayed at the KOA and had a site that was right along the river. We went to all our favorite restaurants and walked around the campus having fun remembering our college days. Our friend Francie came up to see us while we were there and it was fun to hang out with her too. 

Our view from our campsite

All the time we had spent at school we had never floated the Yakima River. We were excited to finally get to go. It is such a nice easy float. The water was cool, the sun was out and we enjoyed the peace of nature, well until the train came through the valley.

 Even then it was fun.

After a nice float you have to try some fishing. We didn't do to well but found it hilarious that Dan caught a fish with one of our kids pink fishing poles. For some reason we could only find the kids poles.

 The next day we went on a nature hike in the valley. We hiked as far in as we could and at one point Dan ditched me to find a way up to the top. The picture he got was amazing.

The view Dan saw.

While walking around we saw deer, wildflowers,
 and got chased by bees and some crazy huge grasshoppers.

RUN!!!!

All in all we had a great hike and we were glad we were able to take a weekend and get away.

Camping at the Cascade Locks

Our first camping trip of 2010 we decided to head towards Portland and do the Cascade locks area. One thing our family loves to see are waterfalls. This area is full of them and we couldn't wait to go hike the trails and explore. This trip also happened to be Sarah's first camping trip.
She had a blast!

Our family loves to be silly.

We started the weekend off with heading to the Bonnieville Dam. The Dam was really  neat, we were able to walk around the grounds, see how the dam works and learn about the fish ladder.
The kids loved the fish ladder!

Looking for fish in the fish ladder.

The Dam has a fish hatchery too and we were able to learn about all the types of fish in the Columbia River and feed the fish. The kids loved feeding the fish
but they really loved seeing Herman the 10ft. Sturgeon.

Herman the 10 ft sturgeon.

The next day we meet up with my sister and her family and went to see all the waterfalls. Our first stop was Horsetail and Ponytail falls. Ponytail falls is cool because you get to walk under and behind the waterfall.

Horsetail falls

Behind Ponytail Falls 

This area has a trail that you can actually walk the entire area of waterfalls. We walked a little ways down the trail and then turned back to the car. While on our hike we saw some beautiful sights.

Next stop was Multnomah Falls, the second tallest waterfall in the United States. This is the waterfall that everyone stops to see and all though it was cold and wet the day we saw it, it was still beautiful.

We hopped back in the car and went to the next few stops with waterfall trails. We even spotted a snail, which the kids hadn't ever seen one in real life before. 

Bridal vale falls

Shepard's Falls

Latourell Falls

We finished the day with a stop at the Vista House, which overlooks the Columbia River.
The view was amazing.

Our family camp-outs are all about spending time with each other, having fun, roasting marshmallows, exploring and playing. That is exactly what we did this weekend.

I even perfected making brownies in our campers oven.

Spring Break at Mt. Rainier

We wanted to go on a family get away over Spring Break and decided to rent a cabin up at Mt. Rainier. Dan and I had been there for a weekend away and really wanted to show the kids the beauty that is in our own back yard. We packed everyone up, made sure to pack warm clothes and we headed to the mountain.

Our first stop was at Northwest Trek. 

We hadn't been there before and thought it would be fun. The kids had a blast. They loved seeing all the animals and riding the tram. The couldn't believe how big the buffalo were and loved when the tram went right next to one so they could get a close look.
Once we got to the cabin and had dinner we decided to roast some marshmallows and make s'mores. The kids had so much fun!

 We love to roast marshmallows!
The next morning we got up and ventured our way into the park.
We love to visit National Parks and we make sure to get a picture by the sign to each one we see.

It was a beautiful day at Mt. Rainier. The sun was out and there was still snow on the mountain. We stopped in Longmire to do the trail there. This was the kids favorite well on the trail.
The ore gives it such a beautiful color.
It looks like gold!

We couldn't wait to get to the top and start sledding. It took some time to get everyone in their snow clothes and to trek up the hill but we made it and had a blast. We made snowballs, went down the hill on the sled and even made a few snow angels.

 It was a fun day up at Paradise!

The next morning we woke to a wild life surprise. The deer were all around the cabin and looking for food. We got the bucket out and they came right up to us and ate out of the bucket. 

We were only there for two nights and had to pack up and head back home. On our way back home we saw a sign for the Pioneer Farm. It sound like fun so we stopped and man we had fun. The kids learned about life as a pioneer and even got to do the jobs the kids would have done back then.
James and I had fun being blacksmiths.

The farm even has a school house and the kids enjoyed seeing it and sitting at the desks. 

It was a great trip.
We enjoyed being outdoors and seeing natures beauty.