Johnson Family Campout

We are officially back on the 'net.' Last week our household goods shipment arrived and we are going through the exciting job of reacquainting ourselves with all our belongings. I had no idea that our packers in Nebraska had actually vacuum sealed the toy boxes under very high pressure, but I have a sneaking suspicion they did because the boxes exploded when they got into our house.

We also have a bunch of wonderful pictures to sort through, and we thought we would tell the story of our summer chronologically over a few bog posts. Today you get look at the Joshnson Family Campout.

Here is a picture of the First Aid Relay Race that Ryan was in charge of. The kids and Spencer did a great job getting Helen's leg splinted and then the boys showed their muscles with the fireman carry.

I am not sure how Jane figured out that she would enjoy a sucker, but she spent the whole time Ryan ate his trying to get her hands on it. At one point she grabbed the end while it was in his mouth and jerked his head a full 90*.

Brice taught an excellent knots course. We don't have a picture of the application of this skill later in the camp out, but Brice was impressed with the boy's creativity in tying one another up or to each other or to inanimate objects like trees.

Classic Camp Songs by Craig. I think that I will be able to teach my children their right from their left thanks to the song Craig taught: "1,2, 3, 4, 5 Once I caught a fish alive". What a treasure!

I think that it is clear from this picture that it is Helen that is the secret weapon on the winning side. Kite Making with Doug: It's hard to tell who had more fun, the kids or the parents putting these flying machines together.

Miles in action. Here is Hunter with the man-eating Tulip Popular tree. You may not know that it is carnivorous, but the expression on Hunter's face makes it clear that he knows and he is not getting a millimeter closer than necessary.

We take our snack time seriously. Helen was particularly proud of this snack because she learned to make gorp with Grandpa and even sampled it before the trip.

Here are Craig, Heidi and Owen enjoying a long hike.

If you will note the sign in the background (It reads "Extremely Dangers Keep Off"), we think that hikes with 12 children under the age of 10 are best done near sharp drop offs. It adds to the excitement and overall enjoyment of the event.

Here are Helen and Chloe showing off their stylish camp t-shirts/dresses. As a side note, that is the only time I ever saw those particular toys in their mouths not caked in dirt, although it wasn't the only time I saw them hanging out of children's mouths.

This is the picture of the "fast" kids on the hikes. I only got a picture from the front of them after we had to turn around because we had taken the wrong turn.

Here we are hiking. I would like to point out the foresight in choosing bright orange for the t-shirts. In addition to helping us recognize members of our own group, no hunter or animal would mess with such a brilliant color.

Have you ever seen so many happy cousins campers? This was a serendipitous moment; in a matter of minutes they would all be soaking wet from the small trickle of a stream you can see under the log. Don't worry, I don't think anyone 'fell' in.