Have I had a 'break'?...

Wow! Spring Break began for us on Friday, March 7th at 2:00 p.m. and, we have not stopped! We finally made it home today, however, I have stilled not stopped. As Jman ran across the street to see his bud he has been missing, Agirl ran out the backdoor to the swing, and Coach headed out the door to play a round of golf, I began the whirlwind that is unloading, unpacking, washing, drying, etc., etc. after a trip. We had an event filled week with family and friends. It was lots and lots of fun. Only 2 minor injuries (Jman took a fish hook in the finger, Agirl slammed her back into a tree while riding a tireswing!) and 1 illness (me with a sinus and ear infection) so, that is pretty good, I think!

Late Friday afternoon, we arrived at Bethy Creek Resort with our friends to camp. We were a little surprised to see our campgrounds! Remember this: camping? Well, let's just say that anyone can make a website and a brochure look pretty much any way they want to!! :o) It just didn't have quite the same 'feel' as the website seemed to give it. That's OK, we were all there to make the best and have a blast! We weren't expecting to see soooo many travel trailers and campers...and so few trees and forest!
Many of the trailers were not there temporarily! These people lived there!

Here is Coach, and others, beginning to set up the huge tent that he and Jman would share with Mr. Bo and his boys. What you can't tell from this picture is, the 'rough' camping area where we were pitching our two family tents was right in someone's backyard!!!!
Here is little Agirl giving that tent stake her all! She was so busy helping to drive those stakes in the ground! She had fun!




Notice the 4 over here who are busy with the tent! The older boys were off playing and exploring! Me, well, someone had to take pictures! Mrs. 'noncamper' knows nothing about pitching no tent!









This is the view from the tent site and cabin. It was a beautiful area of Lake Livingston!

So, apparently pitching tents is hard work so, the two youngest girls had to stop for a snack! It was getting late and they were getting so hungry. We weren't close to having the camp fire started yet to cook so, some Goldfish crackers saved the day!

OK, so I'm not sure how to say this so that the point comes across as clearly as it should...............it was COLD, COLD, COLD on this camping trip!!! As dusk came, it was getting colder preparing the campsite and dinner. Not to mention that the low the first night was 29 degrees!!!! I will not complain as I did sleep inside, with Agirl and Mrs. Beth! Our room wasn't the Hilton however, it was semi-clean and there was a working heater!!

Here are the completed tents! Soon after, the fire was going, hot dogs were grilling, and later, s'mores over the open fire, what else?!!!

The picture below is the next morning, outside our room. Those that did tent sleep the night before, were so cold that morning, they all came to the room to warm up and we cooked breakfast there. It had a complete kitchen and we had Mr. Lowe, the best camping chef ever!!!! 13 people in one small room, to warm up, eat breakfast, and share a bathroom! Fun times!



After breakfast, we all drove to Livingston State Park, about an hour away. It was fun picnicing there, hiking the boardwalked nature trail and of course fishing! We returned to our 'backyard' campsite to cook steaks, potatos, and carrots over the camp fire and of course......another round of s'mores! The second night, Sharyl and little Tgirl joined the rest of us girls sleeping inside. Poor little Tgirl had a nasty cold and it was just too hard on her sleeping in the freezing tent the night before!






Playing, during and after lunch, at the state park. See Ms. Beth below, helping the children bait their hooks? Isn't she great! Touching all those slimy worms and live minnows! Again, someone had to take pictures!
Too bad Jman's good looks and charm couldn't catch a fish! Not one of us got a single bite the whole time!







You would think that Coach Daddy and Agirl could get a bite....looking so cute together! But....no!

The next morning, Sunday, we all once again had breakfast in the room. Afterwards, back down to the campsite to break everything down and load up! That seemed to go a little quicker than the setting up did! Our two family friends stayed for a while afterwards, fishing and eating lunch. We headed back home after helping everyone get disassembled. I had not felt well the whole time, mostly allergies. Being outdoors and nature walks in the woods didn't help but, it was worth it. I started many, many, many loads of wash and slept for about 4 hours after we got back! I can say that I survived my first camping trip, all be it that I didn't tent sleep, and it was fun! I will go again however, not when it is so COLD!!!

We were only home Sunday evening and Monday! Then, off to see both sets of grandparents. Thankfully, they both still live in our hometown so, that makes it much easier to share and divide our time.

First to my parents. Both kids had a good time seeing thier DeeDee and PawPaw. There was basketball to be watched with PawPaw and shopping to be done with DeeDee. Thanks Mom for buying new Easter clothes for myself and Jman!! Thanks Aunt Suz for Agirl's beautiful new dress!

Wednesday afternoon found me calling my Dr. here at home because I was seemingly getting worse and had an earache. Praise the Lord, they called me in an antibiotic and I should be better soon! The pine trees were in full bloom and our green vehicle is now yellow. That could explain why my allergy medicine was working as hard as it could but, just couldn't do it!!

Thursday morning, over to Coach Daddy's parent's house. It's always fun at Nana and Poppy's! See Jman down in that creek! They live on a beautiful golf course and the creek runs between their home and the course. That is a golf ball retriever and Jman is fishing for golf balls! Muddy fun!

At Nanna's, the kids get to spend a little time with their only 2 cousins. Coach and I only have one sibling a piece and his brother is the only one that has children. Our nephews are 14 and 16, much older than our kids! However, these guys are sooooo great with Jman and Agirl! They play with them and spend time with them. How many teens want to be 'bothered' with such young cousins?! Thanks guys!! We love you!


Agirl enjoyed playing and chillin' with Josh. Notice Jman, riding on Zach's back as he chased Agirl all over the yard, making sure she didn't get too daring down the bricked embankment to the creek!




We had a wonderful week! Thanks friends and family for good times and great memory making! We are all very tired and glad to be home! It is true what they say, that there is no place like it, especially when you haven't seen it in so long! We've been in our current home for 2 yrs. this month and we're so grateful to God for his provision.

Oh, one last picture....this is Zach, the 16 yr. old. Look at how he towers over Nanna and Jman! (and over the refrigerator!!!) And to think, he is not done growing!

Now, please don't miss the post below about the MS fundraising walk I plan to do in honor of my sister. I hope some of you reading this can either join me or sponsor me......more information as time gets closer! Thanks!