monday. backyard camp-out.

usually, memorial day weekend, our family can be found camping far from home. this year, the husband and i were really hoping to not pay for crazy-priced gas, wade through the traffic to get out of town, or take cover waiting for the intermittent rain to stop.

this year, we decided the backyard was the way to go. no packing, soft grass, and all the comforts of a campout—fire, s'mores, hotdogs, tent, (even some sunshine!) all 100 feet from home. it was awesome, the kids had a blast, and we were even able to get some yard-work in.

we were a bit early for the great american backyard campout, but the idea's the same.


no pouting allowed (showing us what NOT to do) ...



run around barefoot ...

get a little crazy ...

eat a hotdog ... or 3 ...

play in the tent ... a lot ...


figure out this whole marshmallow in the fire thing ...

sacrifice at LEAST five marshmallows to the fire in the process ...

rub the belly a little just to make sure he's still there ... yep, not just a food baby anymore ...

most of all, have tons of fun—get outside, goof around, mix it up, and you don't even have to go anywhere! i highly recommend it.