Spring Break Camping - Lake Whitney State Park

This year for Spring Break we decided to camp at end of the week instead of the first weekend as we usually do. We were really lucky that we did. We missed all of the rain by doing that. The weather was gorgeous. We stayed in the Screened Shelter area at Lake Whitney State Park.  One of the shelters kept our food and cooking supplies and the kids used the other one for games. We were the only two camp sites up in this cul-de-sac. We had tons of space to spread out and we even had a private field of Bluebonnets.

Alison set her tent up by the bluebonnets.

 The kids had fun playing with the kites.

 Roxie loves camping with us.

There were plenty of trees for the kids to climb.

 The kids tried to fish all weekend, but nothing was biting.

 Shawn's brother Todd took the kids out fishing on his boat.

 No burn ban this year.

 We took the kids on a hike to find the Geocache that is in the park for the Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge.   It was the first one for us and the kids were very excited. Unfortunately the recent rains brought the lake level up 17 feet and the cache was underwater.

The cache should be in the tree out there. 

The big guys getting ready for a hike on their own.

 We did have a minor accident this trip, The big guys went out in the boat by themselves. During this trip the anchor of the boat got stuck. While Shawn and Todd were talking about what to do, the boys were fishing or trying to free the anchor.  Hayden got a treble hook stuck in his shorts, while Patrick was trying to help his friend, the hook went straight into his finger.  They dropped the line for the anchor and got back to shore. Craig and I met them at the boat with the tool kit. While Craig cut the hook free from Hayden's shorts I called the Park Ranger. The Ranger was very good trying to help us calm Patrick down. They got together maps for us to the nearest hospital. He also said that he could not tell us to, but that some people might try to remove it themselves.  We opted to go back to our tents to figure out what we were going to do.  The hook itself was now, not yet used for bait or fishing, but the boys were less than sterile. We were able to get Patrick's finger into a pot of ice water which helped. We also know he was going to be fine when he was more worried about  eating than getting the hook out. In the end, I gave Patrick a bear hug shielding his eyes and Dad was able to remove the hook, barb and all. He has a little puncture and a tiny little tear. Patrick was pretty sedate the rest of the trip. He is also a little weary of treble hooks right now.

March Madness

Even though it is still winter here, it feels much more like spring. I am ready for more time out side. Camping plans are being made, I can't wait for a bit of down time.

 In just a few days before Alison turns 9.

 Alison has a few pots of flowers on our patio that she decorates and plays in. Here she is showing our neighbor how to make a Fairy Garden for in her dorm room.

 Alison and Danielle

On the way to school, Patrick gets in some last minute music and gaming.

 Alison is trying to get just one more chapter finished before school. She is now reading the Nancy Drew Series.

 Patrick teaching Alison how to play a game on his iPod Touch.

I love it when they get along.

 Borrowing the neighbors tree house.

 Building with dominoes

The girls are working on a water conservation project in Girl Scouts, Alison is giving her part of the presentation.

Patrick caught this 5 lb Bass at his last Boy Scout Camp Out, the fish actually broke his fishing pole. Patrick was pretty proud of it.