We just got back from our first camping trip with Lynny. We're sad that it's taken us this long to really get out with her, but when you don't have your own tent, or dutch oven, or other camping gear it's takes a little effort.
We had so much fun with Daniel's family this weekend, two days in the semi-wilderness. (It was hardly rough camping; we had picnic tables and designated cooking areas, and a pool to swim in during the day.) And with Daniel's teenage cousins around the first night to dote on Lynny, and her own younger cousins to play with the next day, she was literally a happy camper. And she only had a little bit of a hard time sleeping in the strange surroundings.
The weather was perfect, chilly in the mornings and evenings but sunny and warm during the day. We were right next to the river, too, so we had the sound of the rushing water to go to sleep to.
We're going camping again in a few weeks in Goblin Valley, so this was a fun crash-course in camping with a one-year old. We considered it pretty good preparation.
Here are a few pictures from the fun weekend.
Enjoying the sun on our last morning.
Daniel taking a few minutes to catch some z's in his awesome "zero gravity" camp chair. He loves that thing.
Lynny was very helpful in putting up the tent, as you can tell.
We took Lynny swimming when she was four months old and she wasn't a fan. This time, thought, she loved it. And she was so at ease, flapping her arms and kicking her legs.
Here's Lynny enjoying her first roasted marshmallow. (Okay, I was roasting my own and she kept lunging for it, so I gaver her a cold one. I don't think she minded though.)When we got home from camping, we made a big change in the house. We took the rails off Lynny's crib and gave her a brand-new "big-girl" bed. She took a really good nap in it today, and we're hopeful that she'll do well tonight. We just thought she was ready for it, and I think she's a fan of the change.
Here she is on her big-girl bed, sporting her new hand-me-down hiking boots. We're excited to have them for our next camping trip in August.
This shows the beautiful "Olivia, the pig" quilt my mom made Lynny when she was born. It's just the right size for a toddler bed. We've tried introducing a pillow, but Lynny just chucked it over the side.And a couple weeks ago we had Lynny's first birthday party with family and a few friends. We had quite the cake crisis (four cakes that didn't turn out...or even come out of the pan) and ended up buying giant cupcakes for everyone instead. I don't think Lynny minded too much.
The first bite.
And the end result.
Opening presents. 
Daniel and I trying to figure out how to put together the push-scooter Lynny got from our friends Jason and Leslie, and their son Landon.
And here's Lynny the next morning enjoying her new toy. It took her a little while, but she's got the hang of it now. And she loves it. Thanks Hansens!
