The Noriega Family

Day two of Grandpa camp was just as fun.  We had our pancake breakfast while we waited for Anna's family to arrive.  Grandpa had some fun surprises in the pancakes this year.  Some of the older kids went hiking and the smaller ones got to go on a treasure hunt.  It was so much fun.  I helped my dad come up with a plan earlier in the week; I made a map and he made these fun treasures with secret compartments for the kids to find.  Plus he made a treasure chest for them to find at the end.  He rowed the kids over in the boat and I met them on the little spit.  It was so cute watching them use the map (or "nap" as Natalia calls it).  They were really cute finding all the clues and they thought they were the best treasure hunters in the world when the found the treasure chest at the end. 

After the treasure hunt we headed out to a little farm to go horse back riding.  All the kids got a turn.  Natalia was very hesitant but we finally convinced her at the end to go with the horse trainer.  She liked it once they got going.  Sienna was fearless.  She pointed to the horse and grunted until we set her on it. 

After the horse riding we headed back up to Great Grandpa's house for a talent show.  We had been practicing all week long the Popcorn Song.  We even had a little window.  We all know Natalia is a little shy and her shyness got the better of her when she was put on the spot.  She was cute though and everyone else helped her sing her song while she huddled in Hectors lap.  The other talents were quite entertaining.  We have some real hams in the family. 

The kids were beat.  They watched a movie with grandma and then the older kids went to sleep in the cabin with Grandpa.  My kids were so tired they went right to sleep.  Some of the other kids stayed up and did crafts and of course us adults stayed up way later than we should talking.  I love getting together with my siblings.  It is so much fun.  I always wish that I had more time to spend with them.  Grandpa camp was a huge success.  Natalia is already talking about next year. 

As expected, Grandpa Camp was loads of fun this year.  Natalia was old enough to anticipate it and look forward to it.  I did not have time to write about it when we got back and my posts that I write a few weeks after an event are always a little sparse, but I have lots of pictures and they say that pictures speak a thousand words. 

The girls got checked into camp the first day and got to sign in.  After they checked in with Grandma they got their t-shirts from grandpa a bag and their bead necklaces. 

The days' activities started outdoors with the swing and obstacle course.  Then the kids headed to the shop with grandpa and made weapons. 

After some morning fun we headed up to Great Grandpa's house to roast hot dogs for lunch.  The kids had fun looking at the cow, roasting the dogs and marshmallows and just playing together.  Sienna really loved that she got her own little table to eat from.  That kid is usually happy anytime food is involved. 

The afternoon took us back to my parents house.  Some of the kids went kayaking at the beach, but we did not get pictures so we recreated them on the grass.  Natalia really loved the life jacket.  Sienna thought the kayak was cool.  It was out on the lawn and before we know it she had walked over, climbed in and was pretending to row all by herself. 

The kids had a blast playing in the pool, eating Popsicles and being silly. 

We ate fantastic nachos with Dan and Heather and then played games outside.  The kids...and adults really got into the games.  Sienna had a hard time following the rules.  She just wanted to sit in the middle of the parachute.

After games, the kids got to frost cupcakes and then the little kids that are all Natalia's age got to hang out in the tent for a little while.  They are not old enough to sleep there yet, but we had fun singing songs and watching a little movie.  Plus it was exciting because according to Natalia, I saved them all.  It was a beautiful sunny day so we did not put the fly on the tent.  Then it started to sprinkle.  At first we did nothing because the rain was so light, but I decided I should cover it just in case.  Literally as soon as I grabbed the fly it started to poor and I threw it over the tent just in time to keep the kids dry.  They were all very cute about my heroic actions. 

And all throughout the day the kids got to earn their beads for the different activities that they participated in.  It was fun watching them get so excited about everything.  And they kept reminding me to not forget to give them their beads.  Day one was fun and the kids were totally worn out.  That is always a good sign that the day was a success.