National Lampoon's Camping Vacation

WE ARE THE GRISWOLDS!

Everyone (including ourselves) were a little surprised that we decided to go camping for the long weekend

But in true Griswold spirit we took a trip to Canadian Tire and decided to make a long-term investment in camping!

Camping investment 1: Roomy tent complete with room divider

And to dad's credit he put it up all on his own (Uncle Darc respected 'guy code' and offered his assistance only if truly needed...)

I offered moral support to Dad while he was putting up the tent and was the first one to check it out once completed!

Camping investment 2: GIANT air mattress

"ummm... is this going to fit??"

Little full... lots of sap

Sheer will and persistence prevails!

Time to move my stuff in!

And, for the record, every trip requires the McQueen suitcase - campground or not

And while the Etheringtons may be camping ignorant, we're certainly not idiots.

Solo camping would be crazy, that's why we surrounded ourselves with experts: Leah, Darcy, Neven & Sarah

Dylan is well on his way to becoming a true camper - complete with his own mini-tent!!

Lola enjoyed her first camping trip too - especially visiting all of tents

Sarah did an AWESOME job organizing our trip and picking out the best campsites!

Dinner time at the Griswold campsite was impressive

Uncle Darc, complete with hunting knife - and not the prop kind of knife Sarah :) - grilled fish on the open fire. Neven and Sarah cooked up mini-slider burgers
and the Etheringtons...

fittingly opted for McDonald's and Subway!!

Apres dinner (i.e. my tasty chicken nuggets) we sang happy birthday to Sarah and ate delicious bday cupcakes


Dad might have forgotten to bring the candles... but our wonderful singing compensated for lack of illumination

"what, can't a girl enjoy a beer while camping?"

(please note: no children were harmed and/or encouraged to drink alcohol during the filming of Camping Vacation. We just think it is amusing to take silly pictures)

Since I don't know any scary campfire stories to tell Lola, I substituted with McQueen stories instead

("McQueen - the call is coming from inside the house!")

Once it was dark outside Aunt Leah gave us glow sticks. Not only were they fun to play with, but the adults were able to easily locate us running around the campsite

Like all good parents, they waited until the kids went to bed to break out the s'mores.

note the extreme concentration

and glory

...and the parents might have had a FEW drinks. Drunken photography - I call this one "red cup of scotch"

After a couple of drinks, Uncle Darc became adventurous with his s'more creations.

Introducing the "Dorrito Smore"... coming to local Milton supermarkets soon!

chipy marshmellowy goodness

The next day was equally fun

Especially when you start off the day with Cornpops!

Witness 'omelet in a bag'

(don't worry, mom & dad took detailed notes for future camping trips)

I doubt Clark W. Griswold could have done much better!!

+++++++++

Already looking forward to camping next summer!