A Large Helping of Life

It seems as though this summer flew by. My husband had every intention of taking his boys to go camping this summer. He was going to take them to a camp ground not far from our house but unfortunately that is one of the many areas that flooded this year in North Dakota. So the trip was delayed and it just never was at the top of the list again. So the other day my boys had a brilliant idea. (always dangerous with little boys) They started taking some bricks in our back yard and piling them into a tower. I was watching them work through the kitchen window as I did dishes. I could tell they were plotting and planning something for that brick pile. After they were finished they raced into the house. I was assuming that they were going to tell me what they had built. Nope, they raced past me and went to talk to their daddy. They told him all about the campfire that they had made in the back yard. They wanted him to come and help them to “burn stuff.”

My husband went outside to see this “campfire.” (pile of bricks)

I went on about my business but just 30 minutes later I looked out the window to see what those boys were up too and Shane had moved their pile (that was in high grass under a tree) to the back concrete patio. He was showing the boys and Faith now, how to stack up the bricks in a circle to form a fire pit. They were all gleaming with pride as it was getting closer to being finished. Once they had finished they came inside to tell me that later daddy said they could have a fire and roast marshmallows. They were beyond excited!

So after our yummy lamb roast dinner (another blog, another day) the boys and Faith headed outside to gather sticks and pine-cones and anything that would burn. They had a nice little pile after a few minutes. They also got some big logs and a bench for seats. So everything was ready and they were chomping at the bit to start the fire.

Shane got the fire started.

Our lovely fire pit. Built by the hard work of all my children (except Hope) and their daddy.

I thought the fire pit had a lovely rustic feel to it. It was a perfect night to have a fire. A little brisk out and calm.

Once the flames started the kids were mesmerized.

There was a complete calm over them all that I don’t think I have ever seen. (though it did not last very long)

Boys and fire. Two peas in a pod.

The kids were all buzzing with excitement. Faith was so adorable when she would stop to stare at the fire.

She was enamoured by the flames but it did not last very long. She was up and running moments later.

Once the sun started to set the children reminded their daddy that they wanted to make smores.

I had to snap a picture of Faith running off to go tell daddy it was “smore time.” (he was getting fire wood)

Smores are so yummy and so messy but a staple in camp fire etiquette.

You want a smore? Some more of what?………..Your killing me smalls!

We reminded the kids of step one. Put the mallow on the stick.

Step 2. Slowly roast the mallow over the fire.

NOT in the fire otherwise you will end up with this…….

He learned that was not ideal. I think I would be safe in assuming that you all know the other steps of smore making.

Easy and delicious smores. (you want one now don’t you?)

The kids enjoyed every messy bite.

We all very much enjoyed our nice fall evening outside. After smores the boys burned up sticks and anything else their father would let them. I took the girls inside and put them to bed. The boys stayed out until after dark and played tag in the moonlight. Then we all told stories. (kid stories are the most creative) All-in-all it was a great evening. No one was burned and the house was still standing. Good indeed. When we were putting the boys to bed that night they all prayed and thanked God for fire and marshmallows. So cute it made me giggle. So I guess you don’t have to have a large camping trip to have some of the memorable camping moments.