The Last Hurrah!

We had one final summer outing.  Well, I say "final," but when you live between two lakes, you never know what may happen.  Anyway, Jason's aunt and uncle invited us to camp with them at the White River Bull Shoals State Park this past weekend, and we happily obliged.  It was a beautiful camping area directly on the White River!  Gorgeous scenery!  We enjoyed sitting at the campsite, feeling the cool breeze off the ice-cold river.  We could not, however, enjoy swimming in the 55-degree, frigid flow.  So, we packed up mid-morning and went down the road 2-3 miles to Bull Shoals Lakeland Corps park.  There, Corwin and Ella (and me) enjoyed a little tubing.

 

We also enjoyed the crystal-clear water.  Because of all the rain we've had this late in the summer, the swim areas and parking lots were flooded.  So, we swam in the parking lot--literally.  It was actually nice because you had a very clean, comfortable bottom to walk and play on.  Corwin spent more time UNDER the water than on top.  Owen even got adventurous and began trying to swim underwater.  Ella threw rocks and swam around in her life jacket and swim ring.  My kids thoroughly enjoy the water.  I, too, enjoyed a little time of floating on my air mattress.  Ahhh.....

Because this is a State Park, there are several programs and educational opportunities offered every day.  We chose to do a guided hike through the woods and up to a look-out point over the river.  The guide was wonderful, and Corwin soaked up every morsel of information that she delivered.  Information about all the different plants (most of which I considered a weed), trees, mushrooms, rocks, moss, wildflower, spiders, downed trees, bird calls, history of the Native Americans, etc.

We ate entirely too well, had great conversation, and made some precious memories.  Raccoons tried to eat our groceries, until Jason thwarted their plan.  Poor Cousin Jared got a terrible sunburn and had to sleep on a deflating air mattress.  The men replayed every episode of Duck Dynasty ever aired.  We were in awe of the thick fog that formed on the river every evening, and finally burned away around 9 a.m. every morning.  It was fun watching the boats of trout fishermen going up and down the river, watching them pull a few in, and always waving hello.

It was a wonderful weekend filled with family, fun, and appreciation of God's handiwork.  He has created an amazing natural world for us to live in and enjoy.  I, for one, am thankful.

O's Obsession

Owen has been OBSESSED with baseball lately (much to his father's delight).  Jason was wondering about this middle child because Corwin was busy playing ball by the time he was 18 months old. (He didn't really have a choice but to be interested.)  Owen never showed an ounce of interest while his big brother played ball... until this spring.  (Do you hear Jason cheering in the background?)

 

Once we moved to Gainesville, we drove around "town" and was checking out all the local places.  We, of course, happened upon the ball fields.  Jason told Owen "that is where you'll play baseball next summer, and maybe I'll get to be your coach!"  Well, we've heard about that for a month now.  "Is it next summer yet?"  "Dad is my coach, and I'm on his team."  Etc....

 

Last night, we finally took that boy to HIS field so he could practice for HIS team that HIS dad is going to coach.  He was thrilled!

 

 

Corwin? ... Well, not so much.  He was happy while he hit the ball.  But, it lost its fun when Dad made him field Owen's balls.  He was sweaty, hot, and thirsty!  Poor kid.... 

"Are we done yet?"

I don't have hardly any pictures of Ella because she wouldn't sit still long enough for me to get a decent shot.  She was ALL OVER the place!!!

 

Put me in, Coach!

 

Corwin refused to look at me so I could take a picture.  I took it anyway. I thought this attitude thing wasn't supposed to start until he was a teenager.  Ugh!

Forgotten Treasures

I was going through some pictures on my camera and found some that I had forgotten I'd taken.  These first are from the end of June (just before we moved) when we were hanging around the house.  While boxing up the utility room, I found a bag of fireworks that my mom had given the boys.  So, of course, we had a practice session for the 4th of July in our backyard.  Also, we had a passel of kittens at the time that Ella enjoyed toting around everywhere.  They were so tolerant!

The other set of pictures I discovered was of the Corning 4th of July parade.  Corwin rode in the church float, and the rest of us watched.  I don't think I've ever seen a parade with as many pageant contestants, tractors, 4-wheelers, and cars as this one.  It was a L-O-N-G parade!  But, the weather was nice, and the kids racked up some candy for their collection.  It was a good day....

Table Rock Lake Legacy

When I was growing up, my family often enjoyed a summer vacation camping at Table Rock Lake.  It seems (to me) that we went every summer, although I know that isn't true.  Memories of spending all day in your swim suit, diving the depths of the swim area for "pretty rocks," riding bikes throughout the campground, and boating, skiing, and tubing are precious to me.  I am thankful that my family is continuing the semi-annual tradition.

 

This year was Ella's first Table Rock Lake camping experience.  Corwin and Owen have been before, but they were very young.  So, this year was special.

 

Of course, there was swimming...

 

...and more swimming...

...bike rides...

...even bike rides INTO the lake (off the boat ramp)...

...boat rides



...tube and "Silly Serpent" rides...

...rope swings and cliff jumping...

...cousins...

...and lots of family time....

After a week at Table Rock, we came back a little pink from the sun, very tired from playing hard, and ready for real beds and showers.  We loved every minute of it, though.  Can't wait to do it again!

Water Park Fun

I was hungry for a little summer fun, and what is more summery and more fun than the water park?  We found out they were running a discount, so me and the boys headed for some fun in the sun.  Ella came for a little bit, but Daddy picked her up after his golf game.  She enjoyed it for the hour, or so, that she was there.  However, I have no photographic evidence of it. 

 

Owen jumped waves in the wave pool, traversed the water playground, and floated miles in the lazy river (his favorite).  And, with some force, he went down the big blue slide four times.  He whined all the way up the stairs, and laughed all the way down the slide.  When he realized how much fun it was, he wanted to do it again, and again, and again.  My legs were tired from climbing steps, and arms were tired of toting the tube.  But, he loved it!

 

Corwin got there and found a couple school friends, so I have no idea what all he did.  He loves the big slides!  Thankfully, the park is very small (lazy river, wave pool, kiddie playground, and 3 large slides) so I was able to see him often and keep track of him.  Perfect for us!  He had a ball!

 

The weather was perfect, and the crowd was minimal.  We were there for six hours, and they still cried when we headed home.  I suppose that's a good thing.  :)

 

College Station, TX

We took a flying trip to south Texas and back Memorial Day weekend.  Jason had a cousin graduate from high school, and we had the time to get it in, so away we went.  20 hours in the van in three days.  Whew!  But, we enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Jason had to go to A&M and see all the stadiums.  We have to do that anywhere we go that there is a major university.  I don't know why....

 

We enjoyed visiting with the family, and the boys enjoyed swimming in Aunt Lane's pool.

 

Ella enjoyed the water, too.  We bought her and her cousin, Annalee, a kiddie pool, but she wasn't interested in it for long.  She wanted in the big pool.  She is going to be one I'll have to watch carefully.  She didn't want me holding her, she didn't want in a floaty, she didn't want ANYTHING but to swim like Corwin, with no constraints.  Forget that the pool is 4 feet deep.

 

I was glad we went.  We don't get to see the Morris family near enough, and we always thoroughly enjoy our time together.