Frio River Family Reunion 2015

Every year, my family goes to the Frio in Leakey, Tx. We go with my dads side of the family. We have been going since I was little. Actually, we stay in the same cabins that my dad has been staying in since he was little. It's a great long standing family tradition! We stay at campgrounds called 'Camp Live Oak.' There is river access, tons of open space, beautiful scenery and so much for kids to do.

This year was exceptionally fun! The kids are at great ages for the camping fun. Well, actually, I was nervous with the river! The current was pretty strong since all the rain we have had. The tide was high, and we actually had a few scares with the strong current. So, I was on edge but still managed to have a blast! And Faith Ann is at an awkward age for this trip because she can't quiet walk yet, and crawling on thorns didn't really work well! So, she either had to be in the stroller or held, which made her antsy at times. Minor details aside, the kids are at wonderful ages for this outdoor family weekend!

Hunter and Trent were full throttle all weekend. Swimming, eating, running, jumping on logs, doing the rope swing, skipping rocks, campfire fun, catching lightning bugs, and tons of playing with cousins. They were in Heaven! Faith Ann took a dip in the river, and she wasn't phased by the ice cold water! She spent most of her time being passed around and admired! We also told ghost stories and walked in the woods. Sounds scary, but we kept it PG! Trent told us a story about a bear named "Hobby Lobby!" haha, I guess that is a sign that I shop at Hobby Lobby too much! Hunter is obsessed with the show "American Ninja Warrior" (more on this topic later.) But, he was creating obstacles all weekend...jumping from log to log, swinging on vines, jumping over benches, climbing up ropes. He is very agile and quick on his feet with unbelievable balance! It was fun to watch him challenge himself!

She took extra long naps while we were there, which gave Scott and I some time to do some adventurous stuff with the boys while my aunt stayed at the campgrounds. We took the boys down the rapids. I was hesitant to do this, but we found a short 15 minute rapid that we thought was perfect for the boys. So, I had Hunter in my lap and Trent was with Scott. We floated down to the swimming hole at our campgrounds. The boys had so much fun! The water was moving fast, and we did go down one pretty fast rapid with the boys. I held on tight! They really enjoyed this!

Then, Scott played with the boys at the swimming hole while my family and I did the big tubing trip! I am SO GLAD the boys didn't come, it was way too dangerous for little kids! We took the rapid near our swimming hole and followed the river down about an hour. It was amazing! A little scary at times, but unbelievably fun!! When we got back, Scott was dying to try it out. So, he and my sister in laws headed out for a second run! Scott said it was the best rapids he has ever floated, I agree! I look forward to all going together as a family, but our kids are still a little young for this adventure. We also don't like to leave other people in charge of our children around water, so we took turns tubing. No one watches your children like you do your own, and with that strong current, me and Scott had our hands on our babies the entire time!

The kids put on a talent show, hilarious! The adults stayed up late around the campfire. We ate great food, listened to great music, and made wonderful memories. We always miss my mom on this trip. She always made Leakey extra fun, but we still feel her spirit as we talk about her around the campfire! Bentley always joins us on this trip. She swam the first day, and then she relaxed the rest of the time! I think swimming against that current wiped her out, but Leakey is her favorite place on Earth!

Scott and I took the kids to dance at Garner State Park. Hunter and Trent both asked girls to dance, and it was my favorite part of the trip! They were so cute!! Trent actually pointed to a beautiful blonde 17 year old girl with white cut off shorts! He pointed and said, "her, I want to dance with her!!" So, I walked him over there and Trent stood behind me with a big smile! She introduced herself and offered to hold Trent while they danced! Trent got cold feet, but he sure was ambitious! So the rest of the night, we kept saying "Trent loves Julia!" He would laugh and say "yep, and I wanna kiss Julia!" haha!! Scott was proud! Trent is such a stinker, but a cute stinker that is going to love the ladies!

2015 Frio River Family Reunion was a huge success. There was a little rain, but not enough to interfere with the fun. But, enough to create mud for my children to be a huge mess! We ran out of clothes by day 2! Lots of laughter and such priceless memories. We always look forward to our Frio River trip, and this year has to be my favorite so far! Looking forward to the next!