Father and Sons Campout

 Father and Sons Camp out, May 31-June 1, 2013

Lookout Mountain, Colorado

Friday evening after I got home from work Eli and I headed up into the mountains for the annual stake father and sons camp out.  I love this LDS tradition, and I loved being able to spend some quality time with Eli in the outdoors.  This is our second time going, and next year Owen will be able to join in the family tradition. Follow the link to read about last year's adventure: http://theonlyfishintheseaforme.blogspot.com/2012/05/fathers-and-sons.html

This year Eli knew a little bit more what to expect and was so excited to go camping and to sleep in a tent.  The camp out was held at a private campground, owned by the church, near the top of Lookout Mountain above Golden, Colorado.  After setting up camp, attending a brief fireside, and visiting the restroom a couple of times we settled down to "sleep" around 9:30.  Eli loved being in the tent.  He exclaimed happily at least twenty times, "We're sleeping in a tent!", and "I love it here in my sleepin' bag!".  We read a couple of books, and then Eli talked my ear of for the next hour.  He was so excited that he had trouble falling asleep.  It was some good quality pillow talk.  We both finally fell asleep around 11.  I awoke at 3:30 to Eli rustling around in his sleeping bag.  I looked over and saw that he had slid down to the bottom of the bag.  I pulled him to the top of the bag, and he woke up slightly and started rambling about how much he loved sleeping in a tent. Ha ha.  That lasted for about thirty seconds and he fell asleep again.  I think he had a good nights rest.  I can't really say the same about me.

Eli woke up just before six (totally normal for him) and we left our tent for a hike.  I didn't want to stick around all the other campers, because I was afraid Eli would wake them up.  We came out of our tent and saw these six deer running through camp.  That was awesome.

I am glad Eli was up for going on a hike so early.  I love having a hiking buddy. 

 We hiked along the Lookout Mountain trail from the Nature Center to the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave site.  The views of the sunrise and the city were fantastic.  This picture doesn't do it justice. 

 We got back to camp, ate breakfast and then participated in some of the activities.  We played kickball.  Eli kicked the ball halfway to the pitcher's mound and made it safely to first base, which was a flat rock.  He shouted, "I touched the rock Daddy!"  It was cute. His next time up to kick eli kicked it to the pitcher, and the pitcher, probably 5 or 6 years old, grabbed the ball and I guess he forgot to go easy on the 2 year old and pegged Eli with the ball.  Eli fell and his face and didn't want to play kickball anymore.  :)  We then moved on to shoot some water bottle rockets.  This was probaly Eli's favorite activity.

Eli patiently waiting for his turn.

I love this little guy and I am grateful for the quality time we could spend together.