2019 Church Campout

Every October our church has their annual church campout at Oconee State Park.  My kids absolutely LOVE the campout and count down to it every year.  It ranks up at the top of their favorite things!  This year was the same and even though the forecast was against us they were excited.  The week of the campout we got lucky and one of our church friends had a cabin that they weren't going to use and we were able to take it.  These cabins book up a year ahead of time for these fall weekends.  With us having Ellington I knew I would not be able to tent camp with her so we were going to have to come home while Kelly camped with the other kids.  Getting the cabin made it where we could all stay together.  Kate was a little bummed that she wouldn't be in a tent but seeing the weather forecast made us even more thankful for this cabin because there was a 100% chance of rain!  Yuck!  While I wish the rain would have held off we all made the best of it.  Some faithful campers braved the rain with tarps helping to keep them dry but it still was a mess.  What I loved though was how everyone still had so much fun being together even though it rained.  We couldn't go on our usual hike but everything else was just moved under the shelter.  We actually went for 2 nights this year and Friday was dry.   When we got there Friday night we all sat around the fire and talked.  Little Ellington was like a bundled up teddy bear.  

We made our way to the cabin when it was bedtime.  IT was their remodeled cabin and was so nice.  We love these cabins anyway but this one was just so cute and decorated so nice.  Just a cozy little 

cabin.

Someone wasn't feeling the picture

snug in her bed

Saturday morning was dry for the first few hours so the kids were up and ready to play outside while they still could.  When Ellington and I walked over to the campsite we found them all playing a little putt-putt.

When the rain started the kids played in it still for a while but it really came down hard and stayed that way for the rest of the day.  Since we had the cabin we were the hangout spot for some of the girls.  They played games for a bit then got into a serious game of hide and seek.  This was so funny to watch because eventually the hiding spots got real creative.  My favorite was when Kelly put Carolina ON the mantle and Avery did not see her even when she was standing right there at her.  You can see how close she was in the picture and still didn't notice her.  It wasn't until Carolina yelled "did she see me" that Avery turned around, came back into the room and saw her.  We were dying.  Willow had some great spots that Bryce could not find her in...laying across the dining table chair seats, on top of the refrigerator.  They would find places all over that cabin and some of the most obvious would be the ones they couldn't be found in.  It was a lot of fun!  Rain couldn't stop their fun for sure.

Willow under the table laying across the chair seats

Avery totally didn't see her...our own Elf on the Shelf!

Look up Bryce...

Ellington got in some flying time with Pop

Nathan got in some snuggles with E

Pretty sure she was warm but couldn't move a muscle!

That night we all ate and played Bingo like usual.  Kate had been waiting for Bingo and hot chocolate!  Turned out that Bryce was the Bingo winner but he did pick a flashlight for his prize which is what Kate wanted him to choose.

Ready for Bingo!

Sunday was a pretty day and the rain was gone!  We got up and packed up then headed over to church.  Kelly and the kids had gone and ate breakfast while Ellington and I stayed back at the cabin. After breakfast they were able to have the big kids vs adults kickball game.  Another thing my kids love.  This game is so entertaining to watch and these adults get into it.  All these guys may have had to ice those muscles later that evening! LOL!

kids vs adults kickball 2019...Adults win

It was another fun campout weekend.  We had a blast and went ahead and reserved our cabin for next year.  No tent camping with a one year old for me and I'm pretty spoiled to those cute cabins!  I know one thing...my kids have the campout countdown already going on.  We sure love our church tradition and so thankful for Brad and the hard work he puts into planning it!  We have made some of the best memories on these weekends and can't wait for many more!

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