backyard campout

this weekend, we went home to help w/ two of my sisters' traveling excursions. (I am so proud of them!)

one morning, we snuck away from the commotion for a minute to go on a run.

(when going home, it is a MUST to visit "the Fernwood trail.") 

this mountain is one of my favorite places of all time--> (Mosey on over, it is good for so much: Sunday walks, training for races, painting masterpieces, camping, "DTRing" ;), mountain-biking, decision-making, walking the dog, water-fights, paint-balling, horseback riding, hiking, proposals, you name it.)

while the boys and I were running, I couldn't help but stop and snap a few pictures along the way.

It was nice to escape the business of life and immerse ourselves in the quiet beauty of nature and really talk.

we live in such a beautiful world.

Our nature day didn't stop there. Cars and I really wanted to go camping. We had been looking for local places but we got so busy with other things, it came to the last day and we still hadn't gone.

 So I suggested we just camp in the backyard. our backyard has a stream and a bajillion trees. one wouldn't know the difference...(except we can cheat and run on over to the house to grab food or a flashlight if needed. ;)) 

 so we put up the tent, bundled up, and got ready to "camp."

At midnight, my Dad called me informing us that Koda (our dog) discovered we were outside and went berzerk--he couldn't bare the fact that we were outside having fun without him. we told my Dad to just let him out...little did we know, Koda would not only find us but refuse to leave the tent the entire night. (And he reeked!) If we forced him out, he would bark or snarl at any and all noises. it was one of those moments where it too hilarious to be upset-->we were camping in the yard for goodness sakes. 

 after we let him back in, Koda calmed down, and we all snuggled up (we were too exhausted to care) and fell asleep in the baby two-man tent.  

I woke up more tired than I did when we went to sleep but it was well worth it, we had a blast! 

We needed to get out in nature this week, even if most of it was in the ole' backyard.

***

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” 
―Anne Frank