Villanueva Camp-Out

This weekend , we joined our friends, Karen and Sharon, and their families for a camping trip at Villanueva State Park between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, NM.
Villanueva is one of our favorite NM State Parks, and we've visited this convenient and fun campground quite a number of times over the years.

Villanueva was a great place to go as a group, and we had a wonderful time with our friends beside the Pecos River.

On the road towards the campground, past the Village of Villanueva, the Villanueva Goblin lies in wait! Very spooky at night when headlights highlight the reflector 'eyes!
We brought some light-up spinners which were a big hit with the kids.
Lovebirds~Sharon & Rob! I brought a bottle of wine to share and Sharon was my 'drinking buddy'. It was really wonderful sitting beside a crackling fire with a glass of yummy wine, chatting and laughing with friends.
Jax and Jem grilling some hotdogs.
Karen & baby Rick. Happy beautiful faces!
Cute smile, Skye!
Dane, Jackson and Jack exploring the science behind fire.
Good morning, our sweet little girl, Jenna!
John took this photo of the view from our camper and the Pecos River.
John took this fun picture of his new truck and our other family member, our 'Redwood' pop-up camper.
John has always wanted one of these USA maps with state stickers to note where we have camped in our camper. He is very happy to finally have one for our pop-up. NOw to fill up all those blank states with more camp-outs!
Jenna and I peeking out of the camper in the morning.
John's cool photo with the light shooting down.
Villanueva State Park front gate.
Park Historic Marker
Our family campsite. The campground was full when we arrived, but we were very lucky when the Park Ranger found us the very last campsite!
Karen's family, in their tent, shared a site with Sharon's family and their pop-up camper.
Breakfast beside the red rocks.
Group Hike! Crossing the Pecos River bridge and then onto the trail.
Jenna on the hiking trail. Happy girl!
John relaxing beside the Pecos River. We very much enjoyed listening to the gurgling of the river, especially at night as it lulled us to sleep.
Our picnic lunch beside the Pecos River.(Click pic for larger view)
Swimming in the Pecos River.(Click picture to see larger view)
Jax & Jem having a blast in the river.(CLick pic to enlarge)
Looking towards the bridge with Jeremiah and Jackson swimming in the Pecos River.(Click on photo for a larger view)

Urban Camping & VBS

Our urban campsite was set up, the S'Mores and hot dogs were roasting....what now?.........VBS!
Every summer the boys like to attend VBS~Vacation Bible School. It's not always at our main church either. Sometimes we accept friend's invitations to enjoy their church's VBS programs, and sometimes we just hear about one and go check it out! We even attended one VBS while camping on Edisto Island State Park. A local church had a camp site set up all summer long for visitor's kids to have a blast at their VBS and learn about Jesus. The boys have a blast meeting new friends, learning new games, songs, activities, and bringing the Lord into their hearts. Amen!

Urban S'Mores

After we set up our pop-up camper beside our house, we sometimes roast hot dogs, S'Mores, sing campfire songs, and play games. It's not WHERE you camp, that's important......It's WHO you camp with, that really matters!
And Hey! We are outside! hehe