We LOVE the Outdoors!

Friday afternoon we headed down to Brazos Bend for some camping adventures with friends. The kids were so excited!!! They could hardly control themselves all day. But all that anxious energy of wanting to get to he park sooner - led to some very helpful children :). Because Fridays are usually later days for John, the kids and I packed up and headed down early without Dad. He came as soon as could around 7pm. It was a bit hot and muggy the first day, but Saturday was a great day. It cooled down a little bit and a light breeze came through with overcast skies... making for a perfect camping day :).

We had a great camping spot (besides being a little far from the bathroom)... lots of running room for the kids and this great fallen tree! It was like having nature's playground right there. The kids loved finding treasures and creatures. (The poor caterpillars... one drowned and I think one was crushed) They were entertained for hours.

The best thing that could ever happen.

We roasted hotdogs, made pizza pockets, and had some yummy smores (Thanks Jenks!)

After getting the kids down, the adults had some fun playing cards and scaring off visitors.

We had 3 raccoons visit us that night. One climbed a pole to get to the trash maybe four feet away, the second came right up to the table where we were playing cards and opened a tupperware bin - he was literally 2 feet away, if that!!!, and the last raccoon awoke John and I after barely falling asleep - it was attacking another bin with only paper plates and utensils inside! Crazy Raccoons! I thought going to the "Alligator" park... we would have other animal encounters :). We did also see 3 deer, 2 rabbits and a bunch of squirrels. I love it when the kids really have a chance to see animals in the wild.

Saturday morning we enjoyed a great breakfast, packed up, and decided to do some hiking/walking to find some alligators. The little boys were excited! And Yes! We did find alligators. We even found an alligator eating another alligator!

Group Shot of the kids (minus baby Annie)

Abigail, Ella, Shep, Dallin and Connor

Eating dinner at the kid table

Dad had arrived... and the kids had to show him "their tree"

Connor was so hot and sweaty Friday night... he had some crazy hair!

Saturday morning ... reading time...after their morning adventure in the woods.

Craft time!

Great for the girls.. not so great for the boys.

Connor loved running around ... just doing his thing.

Abigail collecting...

This girl collects EVERYTHING!!

This trip the obsession happened to be the moss hanging in the trees.

The boys loving their sticks. Every boy needs a stick :).

Hunting for alligators...

There's one!

Abigail and Ella swinging in the trees

My boys... all tuckered out.

We had a great time! We love going camping!

It sure is a lot of work... but the memories are worth it!

Thanks to our friends for the invite!