Fall Fishing 2011

We didn't know if we'd be able to go, or not, but we were fortunate enough to squeeze in a couple days at the annual Fall Fishing trip at the Lake of the Ozarks.  It was a fun-filled weekend of fishing, eating, and playing with cousins.

The kids played at the playground all day, everyday.  But, did they play on the playground equipment?  Oh, no.  They played in the dirt.

 Shovels shoveled dirt, trucks hauled dirt, dump trucks dumped dirt, kids collected dirt all over their hands, faces, hair, and clothes.  The tubs were filled with mud at the end of the day.

They did take a break to eat a quick snack with their dirt-covered fingers.

Then, the men came in with their catch.  That distracted the kids from the dirt for a short while.

Saturday evening we celebrated many milestones in the family. My grandparents will celebrate 65 years of marriage later this month.

And Owen turns three on the 20th.  My dad celebrates a birthday, and my brother and sister-in-law have an anniversary.  Also, an aunt and cousin, and my cousin's baby celebrate a birthday.  It's a busy month for our crew.  (That's an Elmo cake, if you can't tell.)

The next morning, the boys were back to the construction site.

The swings were a hit, too, until Corwin fell off.  Then he didn't care to get back on for awhile.  He's a little clumsy sometimes. 

We also took the kids on a nature hike.  Sticks were the main attraction on this adventure.  Big, small, fat, thin, mossy... it didn't matter.  Each kid had a stick--at least one--to walk with.

Corwin and Eliza with their cheesy grins. 

 See?  They all have a stick.  I'm surprised someone didn't get whacked upside the head with one.

The crew.  We're missing a couple cousins, Silas and Ethan.  Pretty sure they had gone out on the boats that morning to catch a few.

It was a quick, but fun, trip.  The weather was gorgeous, and the company could not be beat.  It is always a highlight of our family's year.  Can't wait 'til next year.  Well...maybe I can.  Next year I'll have a 11-month old (or somewhere around there).  That should be ... fun.