What a Weekend!

Last weekend, we packed up and headed out for a camping trip at Scenic Beach State Park in Washington State with the kids, the dogs, and everything we could fit in the car. Now, let me be honest—camping and I have a complicated relationship. My military days have stripped me of any romanticized view of camping or hiking, so I wasn't exactly jumping for joy about the idea. But sometimes, you've just got to put on a good face for the family. And so, I did.

Despite my reservations, it turned out to be both a miserable and fun experience—yes, at the same time. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, it’s surrounded by breathtaking views, well-maintained trails, and a wonderful sense of privacy. There were endless paths to walk the dogs on and plenty of space for the kids to ride their bikes, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Cooking over a campfire brought back some nostalgic moments, especially when it came to making s’mores (a camping must). But, sleeping in a tent? My back was not made for that anymore. Even with an inflatable mattress, I was reminded just how unforgiving the ground can be after a long day. But what can you do? Sometimes, it’s about making the best of the situation, and that's what we did.

I have to give my husband a ton of credit—he made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish. He packed everything like a pro, kept us organized, and made the whole trip feel much more manageable. Seriously, he was the MVP of the weekend!

The highlight, though? Our anti-camping TikToks! We made a few videos poking fun at our love-hate relationship with camping, and they added the perfect touch of laughter to the trip. It’s always good to bring humor into those moments when you’re not entirely thrilled about what you’re doing.

At the end of it all, despite the discomfort and the bugs, it was an amazing trip. The kids had a blast, the dogs got their exercise, and we all made some great memories together. I may not be a camper at heart, but sharing that time with my family made it all worth it!