Ward Camp out at Dixon Lake

It was announced the first week in our new ward that there would be a ward camp out. I haven't been camping forever and was so excited. Plus it would be a great way to get to know people. Then Brent told me that he was thinking about riding his bike to the camp site. This I wasn't thrilled about but I wanted him to be able to have this adventure so I agreed. We packed everything up and headed out. Emma and I were almost there when Brent called and said he had wrecked and couldn't find the way to get through. He was a little lost. He knew where "he" was but didn't know where he was going. So we turned around and headed back to get him. Luckily it wasn't that far only outside of Escondido. When we got him he wanted to bag the whole thing and go home but I persuaded him to go. I thought we might break Emma's heart if we didn't. She was really looking forward to her first camping trip. So here is the adventure in pictures.....

Brent's skinned up elbow after his crash on the bicycle.

After we got the tent set up there was still plenty of light and Emma made a new little friend and was playing all over the area. She wouldn't let me put her hair up the whole time. It was driving me baddy!

We weren't "emailed" about bringing your own marshmallow sticks and so while everyone was sitting around the fire roasting mallows, we sat off by ourselves feeling very sorry for ourselves. Then this guy sat down next to us and offered to let us use his. I felt like he had been sent from Heaven. I know that sounds a little silly but he then told us that he has a daughter Emma's age and they played the rest of the time we were there. It turns out that they are in the same grade in the same school and they are a great family. Since then the Smith family has been there for us a few times and I really have felt like they were all sent from Heaven for our benefit.

Can you see the mallow all over Emma's lips, chin, and hair. She still wouldn't let me put her hair up but see the big smile? Thanks again Smith family, that smile is because of you.

Brent and I took a little walk and came upon this path. Everything was so beautiful.

This isn't the greatest sunset picture in the world but I loved watching the sun go down from a spot that it seemed was for watching sunsets! So pretty and relaxing.

The next morning we rented a paddle boat out on the lake for and hour and floated around. Note to self - Never rent a paddle boat for someone who has long legs, it's not very fun. Second note to self - Paddling a paddle boat is not like strolling down the beach on a beach cruiser, it's more like riding a mountain bike up a hill. Hmm sounds like I'm a little out of shape! We all were having a great time until of course something was said and it made Emma not very happy. She went from smiling in this picture to mad in....
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(off comes the life vest)
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And of course
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(her hair was up though!)

But Brent was happy!

And I was happy!

And truthfully it really was so beautiful. In the end we made new friends, avoided a potentially bad bee sting, and had a pretty good time. Brent has now found a way to get to Escondido from where we live. Turns out you can ride on the freeway for a short time over one section that has water covering it. That will help for our next trip. We would love to go camping there again.