Backyard Campout with a Classic Camp Dinner and S'More Puffs

Our summer "fun-to-do" list is usually as big as the ocean. This year I had unexpected surgery so we adjusted our plans to incorporate summer activities right at home.  We decided to go camping IN OUR BACKYARD to keep things easy.  No packing or driving, just home sweet home camping!

This is the only river and bear we spotted on this camping trip.

The boys were extra excited for this night.  Chris helped them set up their own lil tent.  I brought out bug spray and lit some candles, and ta da...camp is set!

They rushed around gathering their sleeping bags, stuffed animals, pocket knives, and everything else a boy needs for a camp trip.

For our camp-at-home dinner we made fish and veggie foil packs and cute bites of S'more Puffs.  The boys and I worked together on the meal. They helped with EVERYTHING.  Foil packs are a classic campfire meal.  We made our packs over the grill.

 I used a recipe from Eating Well for these Summer Tilapia and Veggie Foil Packs. Fresh summer veggies cut up: tomatoes, onions, fresh green beans, squash, zucchini, fresh rosemary and other herbs.

Packaged for the grill for this camp style dinner.

Dinner is served!

Time for Dessert!

It doesn't get more real than S'mores.  I used a recipe from my big Southern Living cookbook for these easy-to-assemble S'more Puffs.  They're a fun variation of the traditional s'more.  The boys helped me make them. 

S'More Puff Recipe:

Easy, easy.  

Place Ritz crackers on a cookie sheet.  Place Hershey's Kisses on crackers.  Cut big marshmallows in half.  Top with the mallow halves. Bake in 350 degree oven just a few minutes until marshmallow tops are puffy and golden brown. 

Delicious!

Camp food, dark nights, fire flicks, peaceful sounds of nothing.

After dinner and chilled out talking, it was time to zip them up in their tent.  

Titus had his ground dog stuffed animal tucked into his sleeping bag.

Excited boys!

Titus has one of those super cool star light turtles.  He thought of the brilliant idea to use it in the tent and it lit up tons of green and blue stars all over their tent!  AWESOME!  I think I was more excited than the boys about these star lights. 

And then Chris and I left them alone to tell ghost stories all night long.

I woke up to see this out the window:

Pjs and imaginations

Archery is a great camping pastime...

All the boys helped me make a traditional camp breakfast too.  They made English Muffin Egg Sandwiches...mmMmm. 

It was a successful and easy camp out.  The boys spent the next three nights in the tent because they loved it so much!   

This is the summer life

 for a house of boys.

What are your favorite summer memories?

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty,  Made by You Monday, Met Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Snap Creativity, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up, Six Sisters Saturday