Technology Obsessed Americans?

I'm finally back!  Our internet connection has been out for almost two weeks.  Daddy had a terrible time with AT&T to get it back. 

When I first complained about the lack of internet, Mommy launched into one of her 'evil society' rants.  She said it would be good for us to go without our computer for awhile; that we're just like the rest of Americans who can't be away from their internet for even a minute.  That got me thinking.  Is that true?  Are we addicted to our computer?  Is that a bad thing?

Over the next two weeks, we all repeatedly turned to our computers several times a day to look something up, only to remember with frustration that we couldn't. 
On Friday, there were several things from camping that we wanted information on.  Does Google Maps have a bird's eye view of the campground we were in?  Are there any news stories about the rescue helicopter and vehicles we saw?  How many satellites are there in the night sky?
On Saturday, my great uncle visited.  He said I look like Scarlett Johansson.  I wanted to find a picture of her and see if that was true.
On Sunday, I wanted to check the DMV site to see how driving regulations change when you're over 18.  Am I allowed to drive with siblings in the car now?
On Tuesday, Nathan needed to check his email to find out the time of his first Boy Scout meeting.
On Wednesday, we wanted to check Google Maps again to see if I could walk to the house of the kids I'm babysitting.  (Turns out they're practically our next-door neighbors.)
And so it went.  Nathan wanted to check out some Boy Scout infomation.  I wished I could research the facts behind several books I read.  Mommy needed to know if the insects swarming on our steps were termites or ants.  And of course, I wanted to check my email, post on the blog, and read the news.

So, are we addicted?  Yes.  Is that a bad thing?  I don't believe it is.  The internet is a source of information.  Some of the things we wanted to know were merely to satisfy curiosity, others were useful or practical, and some were educational.  I think our addiction proves that we're curious.  We're used to having a wealth of information, an answer to every question, just seconds away.  I don't like having that cut off.

By the way, I will hopefully be posting every day for the next couple days to catch up.  Expect camping, kittens, and more!

~Megan~

Why Go Camping?

I don't know why camping is such an attraction.  After all, it's completely illogical.  Why would anyone want to pack up half their house, drive out into the woods, get eaten by mosquitoes, covered in dirt, and sleep on the ground?  Yet we still love to camp.  We like waking up on a chilly morning, listening to the birds, watching the sun rise and burn off the mist.  Bacon and eggs fried on the camp stove taste better than ones made at home.  The whole thing doesn't really make much sense.

Last week, some of us took it to an even more illogical level.  We forgot the girls' tent when we went camping at Macedonia Brook State Park, so Amanda, Nathan, Joshua, and I elected to set up our air mattresses outside, alone with the stars, mosquitoes, and wild animals.  (And those evil park rangers who take delight in sneaking up on unsuspecting campers and scaring them to death, but that's another story.)

Our campsite

Hannah and Ben listening to Nathan tell a story

When we got to the campground on Tuesday evening, Mommy and Daddy had the rare pleasure of sitting at the picnic table watching while the kids set up camp.  We put up the tent, unloaded the car, inflated the air mattresses, and filled the water jug while they ate supper.

The next day we mostly just relaxed.  We played Monopoly for most of the morning.  In the afternoon, I got in a little driving practice to run up to Kent to get ice cream, Sprite, and chocolate.  (I know, we were in a weird mood.)  Most of us took naps, read a book, or carved sticks until dinner.  It was a pretty lazy day.

Thurday morning we took a short walk and played around in the brook a little before packing up and heading home.  I think the following pictures will describe anything I missed.

Hannah cuddling with her Daddy

Ben with a Rice Krispie treat

Josh playing with burnt sticks and getting his hands messy

Nathan and I practicing sign language

Amanda coaxing Mommy across a fallen log

Hannah with her hair in a ponytail 

(She took it out shortly after.)

~Megan~