Camping Weekend

Weeks ago, Violet asked if we could return to Wheeler Gorge for her birthday weekend, as we camped there last year with Colleen and Rigo and the kids.

Our friends were happy to do it again, and Colleen booked a pair of sites next to each other and next to the creek. It was perfect! This time, we were there for Violet's actual birthday, whereas last year we camped on the weekend between the girls' birthdays.

Hot chocolate, made with water boiled over the campfire! Violet loved making the fires; both my girls did, actually.

See the creek behind them? That's how close we were!

Cora loves cooking, and she was happy to make the bacon for our breakfast on Saturday morning.

We happened to be in town the weekend that the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center had an Open House, with activities and vendors. So we walked across the highway to check it out. Violet and the other kids took part in the REI booth Jenga game - if you successfully created a new row of three blocks, you got to spin the wheel for a prize like lip balm or sunscreen.

If you accidentally knocked the whole set down, like Violet did (because she was having trouble reaching), you got to choose a prize. She picked the best one, a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel pint glass. 

We returned and celebrated Violet's birthday with her gifts. Here, she's delighted by a tiny gift - a Thor Ragnarok figure of Skurge, with his mates Des and Troy. 

The birthday girl in her happy place. She let us know that she would like this to be our annual tradition for her birthday.

The kids had a fabulous time playing in the water. It wasn't as cold as we would have guessed, and all the rain over the winter meant there was plenty to enjoy.

Like last year, Violet wanted a cookie cake.

We made s'mores and enjoyed the campfire in the evening, naturally.

We love this family!

On our way home, we stopped in Ojai to walk around, and then had a late lunch/early dinner at Boccali's, an Italian place with a beautiful patio area. Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty had raved about it when he worked in Ojai, so I was eager to give it a try finally. It was great!

So, Ojai, Wheeler Gorge and Boccali's, until next year!