Vacation #6: Steelhead Park (DAYS 1, 2 & 3)...

For the past few years Grandpa Jim and Grandma Patti have gifted us with a week of vacation together during the summer.  Last year we spent our week at Deception Pass. I didn't think there was any way we were going to come close to topping that trip but this vacation proved to be one of my favorites yet.  I was a little leery about camping in "Rockport" after our trip to the coast got cancelled (due to Bryan's class schedule) but Steelhead Park turned out to be absolutely perfect for little kids.

We arrived late afternoon/early evening on Sunday and spent most of our time setting up camp inside and out...

 

Charlie and Olivia played with her new picnic set...

...while my BIGS played on their Leap Pads...

I am sure that Olivia has picked up a few of her "habits" from Charlie but in general I think this little girl was just born with a little extra spunk.  I just keep telling Jenny it's karma!

After Olivia left for the evening, Charlie tested out some time with the BIGS before we finally settled in for the night...

MONDAY(pick of the day):
On Monday it rained all morning so we took our daily photo with their camping shirts inside the trailer...

Then we all headed outside to play.  The best thing about this park is the paved, circular camp areas.  It is almost like being in a cul-de-sac.  I could just sit back and watch the kids without a single worry...

We had three spots all together.  This was our set-up in the middle...

The Mitchells were on the inside of us...

...and Dad and Patti were on the outside...

We did A LOT of bike riding this trip.  In fact it was during this trip that we literally watched Jack go from a timid, cautious rider to a full on speedster and trickster!

When the rain finally stopped we took a long walk and explored the park...

All that walking didn't take away the cabin fever though.  These two were quite the pair the entire trip...

We headed on over to grandma and grandpa's trailer to play for awhile...

These two are TROUBLE, TROUBLE, TROUBLE! Don't let their cuteness fool you, they are always up to something...

That evening we made our way to the park even though it was wet from all the rain...

Jack turned out to be quite the little mountain climber...

Dinner...

Post-dinner...Thank you bartender Patti!

TUESDAY (pic of the day...

Tuesday was a whole new day.  The sun was up early and it was already getting warm by 9am.  We got in a little morning cousin cuddle time before heading to Grandpa Jim's BIG BREAKFAST...

You can't tell how much Charlie LOVES Olivia by his BIG grin or anything...

These two were literally inseparable...

Bryan had to work all day Tuesday while I stayed at camp with the kids.  It didn't take long for the kids to begin pleading for me to take them to the park...

Olivia practiced walking all on her own...

Back at our campsite we set up Charlie's bounce house for the kids to play in..

We had a picnic lunch outside...

After lunch I found Emily alone in the bounce house, reading a book to herself...

We played lots of t-ball...

...and I attempted to fly a kite...

I was the first "catch of the trip" and by the end of the week I think I had definitely been caught the most...

Napping babies...

Later that evening I found Charlie down the hill, literally sitting in a pile of dirt...

I took a little walk with the kids, hoping to capture just a little of the beauty this park had to offer.

The view of our campsite with a little sun...

The gazebo next to the river...

Our river (A.K.A the Skagit River)...

Breathtaking trees...

When we arrived back at camp Bryan had arrived and the kids were eager to see him and the gifts that he had brought...

Our very first slip'n slide...

and another little pool...

Olivia decided that sitting in the big blue tub was fun but opted to up grade a little and joined her cousins...

We spent the rest of the evening sitting around the fire, training Charlie on how to be a pyro like his Daddy...