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!

Summer is Here

Welcome summer 2015! The purpose of my blog has been to document the first year of my children's lives. After their first birthday, I make a baby book from all the posts from that year. The books have all turned out wonderful and are true biographies of their first year of life! I already love looking back at the books, and I know that my children will really enjoy them one day.

Since the first year has come and gone, I have decided to post random things going on in our family. I plan to print an annual book so that we will have our lives documented in some sort of organized fashion! Besides, it will be SO fun to go back through the years and read all the books. So, here we go....let's start with summer 2015!

We went to Beau and Kate's lakehouse on Lake Livingston for Memorial Day. We had a blast with lots of swimming, kayaking, riding in the golf cart, and lots of cousin play time. Faith Ann was passed around from kid to kid, mom to mom...she is always the belle of the ball, even on the lake!

We have continued to fill our afternoons with outside play at our house. My dad jokes that our house is the "kool aid house." He says, "in my generation, all the kids went to the house where the mom made kool aid, and your house is always full of people, so you must be the kool aid house!" Well, the name has stuck and we are now labeled as "Camp Kool aid." No, I do not make kool aid, but everyone is always welcome at our house. This is just part of our home! Our 'neighborhood children' eat dinner with us, hang out with us, and are like our family. All of the children and their parents also love my babies just like their own. It is a true blessing to be part of this united community! I love it, and so do the kids. Scott says that he never knows what to expect when he comes home from work, but he is sure there will be a house full! Every day is full of adventure, noise, and memories!

We are living this summer simple. No camps, no daily activities...just the basics of outside summer time! This will probably be the last summer that we are able to have such simplicity in our lives, and I am enjoying every moment. Simplicity is a rare commodity as kids get older, so we are soaking up the simple life these days.

Uncle Greg just moved into Georgetown town homes, and they have great pools. So, we have already spent some time at his pool because it is never crowded and easy for me to keep my eyes and hands on my babies. Having 3 young children around water STRESSES me out, so I have yet to tackle this alone. We usually go on the weekends or evenings when Scott is around.

We have park hopped in the mornings. We pack lunches and have a picnic at a different park. We have already been to 3 parks this summer, and I plan to continue the summer park tour. Picnics in the park are always fun...and HOT! The kids have been taking great naps with this heat! This heat also means ice cream! Yes, it is a huge mess but the kids love the treat of a good ice cream cone.

We have a few trips planned this summer. We have my family reunion on the Frio in Leakey. Scott's family reunion at his uncles lake house in Austin, and a weekend get away with friends in Rockport. Then, the trip that I am most looking forward to...our 10 year anniversary trip to Jacksonhole! Scott is planning this trip, and I am really looking forward to the alone time, the fun activities, and the gorgeous views!

In the meantime, our days will be filled with kids kids and more kids at Camp Kool aid! haha! The more the merrier! Lots of family, friends, cousins, outings, play time, and some simple bonding time. I am already enjoying summer 2015, and really looking forward to what is in store!