The Spies Family: Camping Morgan Style

For a while now David has been bugging me about taking Morgan camping. Back in the days of just the two of us it was something we enjoyed doing a couple of times a year. Kind of a cheap vacation and nice way to relax and enjoy some cooler weather. Although I enjoy camping, the thought of taking Morgan camping did not appeal to me. I knew she would love what camping is all about: hiking, playing outside, roasting marshmallows, etc.... But what I didn't want was all the dirt that comes with camping all over all her 'equipment.' Plus the thought of her sleeping in a tent with all her braces on just didn't sound good. Not only for her comfort, but the comfort of all the campers around us since Morgan still wakes up many times a night most nights screaming in pain.

So in stepped Grandma and Grandpa to the rescue. They too love camping and being outdoors so they suggested we go as a family to this wonderful little cabin they found in Madera Canyon. It was perfect! Madera Canyon is only about an hours drive from our house, but it is higher in elevation and thus we were able to find the cooler weather we were hoping for. In addition, the cabin was perfect for Morgan. It is a single story cabin (something you don't see very often) with hardwood floors throughout and is even handicapped accessible. Morgan was able to walk right in the front door, all through the house, and even through the ramped back door onto the deck. She loved it!

So in the end we compromised and went camping..... just in a new way. A way I must say that I definitely prefer, especially when you are 8 months pregnant. It was great to have a nice comfy bed to sleep in, a normal working potty, and the warmth of the indoors. The weekend we went just happened to occur during a rare cold spell. We had been in the 70s just days earlier and the day we went it was in the 50s at home, so in the 40s or so on the mountain.

While David, Morgan, and Donna bundled up to take a hike together with Sophie, Charley and I hung back around the cabin. I was perfectly fine with that because not only was I nice and cozy indoors, but it also gave me time to finally crack open the 2nd book in the Hun.ger Ga.mes series (now if I could only find the time to finish it).

David and Morgan together on their hike.

After dinner we roasted marshmallows indoors.
It was just too cold out that night for an outdoor fire.

Yummy! Morgan's smiling face after enjoying some marshmallows and chocolate.
She had to skip the graham cracker since she is eating gluten free.

Shortly after roasting marshmallows it was time for Morgan to head to bed. She didn't complain one bit because she was so excited to sleep in her new princess sleeping bag that her grandparents bought her especially for this trip. (I have pics of her in it, but couldn't find them).

Morgan and I snuggling up and reading books in the EARLY morning.

Morgan is known as our family rooster. She wakes up with the sun and calls from her bed each morning "It's TODAY!" At the same time that it is the cutest thing in the world it is also our most dreaded phrase in the world. When we here those two little words we know there is no chance in h#$% that she will go back to sleep and let us catch a few more minutes of shut eye.

In the morning Morgan wanted to help get breakfast ready. She helped by setting bowls out at the table.

We then enjoyed some yummy pancakes followed by cupcakes for breakfast. We had intended to have the cupcakes the night before to celebrate David's birthday, but we ended up eating late and we didn't want Morgan having too much sugar right before bed. Marshmallows and chocolate was plenty.