Fun with Friends (or We Went Camping)

We do have lots of non-family friends, but I also think we are friends with our family~or at least that is my hope for my children.

At the end of July we went camping in the mountains with a good portion of my husband's family.   17 people~a good turn out, especially since we came from 4 different states to gather.

A beautiful location and lots of fun with friends family.  Pancakes every morning (well, I had oatmeal because I don't like pancakes.)

Playing card games~especially a game called Smores and one called Dixit.

One night we went to the lodge area to meet an astronomer and look at the stars through his telescope.  I tried to take pictures of the stars, but I wasn't too happy with my results because the lodge lights were distracting.

I got bored with trying different settings (especially in the dark) so I decided to write my name.  Once I realized the only thing I would do with my "name in lights" was put it on my blog, I wrote it again~this time my blog name.  (It is a composite picture.)

The next day, since Sunflower said, "No more pictures!"  I let everyone else go hiking while I took the shuttle around to take pictures.  I think she was worried about her no shower, blueberry covered face.

Then some more game playing.

We celebrated a birthday and an anniversary on our trip.

Of course, what is camping without roasting marshmallows and some smores?

Don't take that to mean I ate any roasted marshmallows.  I don't believe in eating sticky things when I have no access to a shower.  I did spend a lot of my time having fun with my two new friends~Mr. Tripod and Ms. Remote Trigger.

Getting everyone looking at the camera and in focus was almost as hard as getting the remote back from Sunflower when I let her have a turn.  I am getting better at remembering to hide the remote, too...maybe.

Then one last lecture conversation about the state of the economy...

One last stick...

And One last hike through nature...

I was too tired to set-up the tripod on our last day~though you will note Oak is carrying it around just in case I decide I want it.

Good-bye nature; Hello hot showers!

Linking up with the Crazy Days of Summer~Fun with Friends.