Spring is for Camping

I've always loved going camping. We used to go camping as a family when I was growing up in California, but we had mountains where we could hike and a stream for fishing. Southeast Texas camping is a little different, but it's still fun to simply go camping. A little challenging with little ones, but still tons of fun! Marcus starts getting the itch to go camping soon after Christmas. We can't really plan a weekend camping trip until about March because of the wonderfully unpredictable weather of southeast Texas, and even then we still take our chances. This year we've been camping twice already and both times we got rained on! The first time we were lucky enough to be in a shelter, but the second time, over Easter weekend, we were in a tent...ugh! Everyone and everything stayed dry, but it's not as fun when you can't sit around the campfire and enjoy the nightly ritual of camping...s'mores!! We made the most of it and had some really fun family time in our tent while Peyton slept. Ahhh...memories!

Marcus and his brother, Justin, matchy matchy....so cute!Cruisin' on the pontoon boat."These are MY chips Grandma"Austin and his cousin, Hunter, enjoying the ride on Grandpa's boat.JD and Caryn cruisin' kidless

The first time we went camping, we went with another family that has three kids....one's 15, one's 9 and one's 6. The exact opposite ages of ours and reverse gender...girl, girl, boy and ours is boy, girl, girl...which actually worked out nicely. Their oldest liked my baby, their middle girl played with Cali, and their little boy and Austin both turned 6 in January! Perfect! And we had a great time with the parents too. :)

The Men fishing

Marcus and his "mini me"

We went for a walk out on a trail and Cali found herself a "walking stick"....lol
Bringing up the rear

Peyton just couldn't last

Austin and his sticks....oops, I mean swords!

Crossing the bridge

Cleaning the catch for dinner...yum!

The kids liked being on the boat, even when it was docked.

I had a great time camping, but I got my fill and I'm done for the year. Time to rest up for camping 2011.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend. We were able to go camping, again, but this time with family. Our little family, Marcus' parents, and Marcus' brother's family. We've done this now for three years and I love getting together each year. It's great to have all the cousins together and let Grandma and Grandpa do their thing, the dads do their thing, and my sil and I get to chat and chill...well, sometimes it works out that way. We got to spend a little time out on the river in my father-in-law's boat with all the kiddos and everyone went fishing (all but me and my sil and Peyton)....but there were no fish in the pond, bummer! The kids played a lot of baseball/catch, running around with sticks, and playing on a nearby playground...they slept GREAT both nights!! I even snuck into town Saturday morning to run a 5K with a good friend...I went for moral support. We did alright, but next year we're going to do way better and hopefully even place among the top runners...maybe. ;)

How sweet...matching brothers!!

This is my niece and youngest nephew...we were on our way back to the dock because they were done, if you can't tell.Austin and counsin, Hunter, have become baseball buds.
Cali was worn out, but still wanted to help drive...just didn't want her picture taken. (she fell asleep in the car back to camp and I had to wake her up for dinner!!)

Peyton loved the boat!These were the kids' baskets that the Easter Bunny brought...they were filled with a kite, a little deck of cards, a special something for each individual, and a couple eggs with jelly beans. What a sweet Bunny...but not a rich bunny. :)

Austin had already found his max so he was conning Cali out of some of hers...hmmm.

This is the week before Easter right before heading to church. I love coordinating much better than matching...even I was wearing green and Marcus had a blue/yellow tie. awww... Look at my sweet little Cali finding her eggs Easter morning!!
Peyton and Daddy were watching all the kids scrounging for eggs thru the yard. Think she looks like Austin much??

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Easter weekend...we sure did!