Camping at Enchanted Rock

Our first camp out with our kids turned into quite an adventure.

It started out like any other camp out. We met up with 3 other families and roasted marshmallows, enjoyed yummy, gooey smores, played steal the flag in the dark, and once the kids were in bed visited around "the campfire." Because Texas has been so dry, there was a ban on fires so we improvised with lantern light. We had a great time talking with our good friends and the kids were in heaven getting to sleep under the stars for the first time. (well in a tent of course. : )

However, at about 4 AM we woke up to lightning crashing and thunder booming, followed by a torrential rainstorm that lasted for the next couple hours. I was worried our tent would blow away in the wind or that the kids would be scared, but we weathered the storm and once I assured Makayla and Logan that we would be OK, they buried their heads under their covers and fell back asleep. Savannah slept through the whole thing.

We woke up the next morning with only a few puddles in our tent, but to freezing cold wind. (At least cold for Texas) The night before was hot and humid, so it was a big shock. However, I piled all of the kids' layers of clothing on them and decided to try to enjoy the rest of our day.

We cooked a hot breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs that tasted so good in the cold. Mike also made hot chocolate for everyone that began to warm us up. We packed up the camp after breakfast and almost made it out of there before it started to rain on us again. Since the rock would be too slick to hike up Enchanted Rock we improvised on the rest of our day.

All the kids huddled up under the play ground to keep warm while the parents finished breakfast and packed up camp.

If we had gotten to hike up Enchanted Rock, this is what it looks like. These pictures were taken on the 4th of July a couple of years ago. It reminds me a little bit of Southern Utah.


After we packed up camp, Mike wanted to make the most of his day off so we took the scenic way home. We stopped through Fredericksburg, a quaint little German town that has a lot of fun ambiance.

Then, we drove off through the mist, hoping we would find some fun things to do for the day. I opened the glove box and found our state parks guide and we picked two state parks near by to stop at on the long way home.

To be continued . . .

Adventure to Johnson Farm and Pedernales Falls

What do you do when your camp out has been rained out?
Go on an adventure in the rain.

Mike had the day off, and it seemed depressing to just head home because of the rain, so we took the scenic way home and drove by two state parks. We did the Warnick Family tour (mostly from the car), but got out and braved the cold for the best parts.

Our First Stop: Lyndon B. Johson's Family Farm

Makayla, Logan and Savannah had a blast exploring this living history farm. Logan especially got a kick out of driving the wagon and sitting in the outhouse.

Life on the Johnson farm is presented as it was in 1918. Because of the cold weather, we were the only ones here, but normally you can watch as people do farm and household chores from that time period.

Our next stop: Pedernales Falls

I loved how bright green and turquoise the water looked here. Beautiful park. I guess when the water is higher, the falls run down the rock faces into the different pools. We'll have to come back and check it out again sometime when the water is higher. Maybe after all the rain we've been getting for spring break!

Planting our Garden

Mike and Logan had fun planting our garden last week. I was on my death bed with the flu still, but managed to come outside to capture the moment.

The finished product.

The weather has gotten so beautiful the last few weeks, we've spent a lot of time outside. One of those times produced "The Kids Club." Makayla, Logan and Savannah spent an entire afternoon decorating and setting up their new clubhouse. This is their special place. You can tell by the looks on their faces that they are so proud of their creation.

Basketball Star

This season it has been all about Basketball and Logan has loved every minute of it. For once, his cute team has won almost every game they have played. They've come a long way from their first game and looked like little pros by the end of the season.

He shoots. He scores! Stop in vigorous play for a photo opt.You can't have a game without cheerleaders.

Best buds: Logan and Cameron (in heaven eating pizza by ALL the trophies!)

Sadly, I missed Logan's last game and trophy party. I was home with the flu, but Mike got gold stars for taking over for the weekend. Thanks Mike! He got 3 kids to the game and party with snack and party treats in tow. Also, thank you Susie, for taking these cute pics of the party. I feel like I was almost there. : )

Mostly, it's all about the trophy.

Wordless Wednesday

I Am Officially Old.

Found: One glistening, iridescent, silver hair. Awesome.

Mike told me "Don't worry about it. I think women with silver hair are sexy. Much better than gray." Then he proceeded to look up the causes of silver hair on the Internet so when I asked him about it again, he could explain that my hair has quit producing the nitrous oxide in the . . . blah blah blah blah.

I'm Old! It doesn't really make me feel better that he spent the better part of a work day looking up the causes of silver hair. End of story.