Oscar Stew

Listen here Rowan. Listen! Put down the remote, unplug the video games, and put the dolls away. It’s time you gain a big appreciation for the outdoors, and I don’t want to hear any whining about it ok? That’s what I thought!

This camping veteran got right to work helping Daddy haul all the gear and chow for our weekend adventure.

Brinley was supposed to help, but she was carried away in the beauty of her surroundings and opened up a wildflower florist shop instead.

What about you Ro-dog? Ah there she is, doing a great job of holding down the tarp while Daddy sets up the tent.

Rumble grumble. What’s that? Rowan’s getting hungry? Well, find a place for her to sit that’s not in the dirt and we’ll get her served up.

Let’s zoom out for a better view. That looks like the comfiest camping chair ever Rowan! And fire front property! That real estate aint cheap!

Brinley and Ana got down to business and roasted their dogs on the open fire. Notice they favored wood sticks over metal pokers for that organic smoky taste.

Lookin’ real good and burned Scoob! Maybe a bit longer in the fire and then that dog will put some hair on your chest! Arrrrrr!

Princess Brinley nibbled on her food between lengthy conversations with her entourage.

Like father like son. Drew likes fire, and efficiency! He found a perfect stick for making twice as many smores and had them cooked in half the time.

Day 2: How was your night Ro? Lookin’ good.

The lords of the (butter)flies took their spears and headed off into the forest in search of the elusive Rocky Mountain Snipe. Drew looked high. Sadie looked low… 

They all looked, hunted, and tracked the best they could, but could find no sign of the fictitious animal. It doesn’t seem that Brinley was too broke up about it.

All that tree climbing and tracking gave her a nice head full of filth.

What fun is camping if you can’t get dirty?

Hey Flame Boy! We are out of firewood!  Hiiiiiiiiiiiyah!

While Flame Boy chopped wood Hayden and Ana prepped for another tasty round of smores. Who knew marshmallows grew on trees?!

That mallow’s a flamin’! Tasty!

Mmmmmmmmm. So what’s the secret to getting melty chocolate?

Brinley doesn’t really like smores all that much.

Well Rowan, have you had any fun out here in the woods of Georgetown? Judging by your legs it appears that your appreciation is significant. Good work!

Unfortunately the florist had to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. There were no more flowers to pick! Time to go home!

Soccer season may have ended a few weeks ago, but I am still entitled to brag about what a super-star Drew was, right?

This was Drew’s third year playing soccer. We really watched his skills develop this season as he grew more and more aggressive in chasing after the ball. Of course, he did have two of the very best coaches, and a team full of friends – which made the season even more fun!

Tweeeeet! I do believe we have a line violation. Oh yeah I forgot, the rules are more like guidelines…

High five to the fan club! Gulp some water, and back to work.

If the other team proves to be of only mediocre talent, try playing against your own team instead!

As the games wore on, one of the fans became restless and started constructing a grass castle for Stickerella. 

After that she spent some time honing her skills for her own soccer debut. “Anything you can do I can do better…”

The rest of the fans stayed dedicated to the cause and chanted even louder. Notice the face paint, waving flags, and general state of inebriation…

Drew claims to have scored two goals on his final game. This cannot be confirmed nor denied, as it seems that his fan club may or may not have had their eyes glued to the game the whole time. Shame on us – twice!

We came. We camped. We conquered.

Drew & I had the privilege to go on the Father & Son campout at the new Girl’s Camp site. Sorry Sisters, it isn’t quite the Hilton yet, but we did get the pine cone toilet paper stocked and bear-breath hair dryers installed…

First step: Construct our humble abode. I was thrilled at the discovery of a campsite that had been “finished” that no one had called dibs on. Sand might be firm, but it’s a lot softer than rocks!

Second step: Explore! We found plenty of “evidence” from elk and moose, but were unsuccessful in our quest to track the bear.

Third: I will teach you an important lesson in history Drew. You see, the red man makes a small fire and sits very close. The white man makes a big fire and sits far away. Which kind of fire do you want to make? That’s what I thought…

It was a cold night, but nothing us tough guys couldn’t handle. Now it was time to get to “work”. As a group we opted to stay away from the chainsaws, bonfires, and falling trees and stick to making our campsite the best in the whole forest. 

Here be Fire King and his sidekick Flame Boy, having labored much in the log moving specialty.

Finally my patience won out and I was able to photograph this rare Pine Monkey searching for his friends during hide & seek.

That’s enough dirt for one weekend. Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeya!