Garner State Park

 I have really been wishing for a camping trip since the Spring but the summer was just too hot here in Texas. And then it seemed like Abe was getting unlucky with his days off so I had my doubts we would get a trip in before it got too chilly. Finally the stars aligned and Abe had a Friday/Saturday off that was supposed to be warm. I went through a google search on "Top 50 Places to Camp in Texas" and found some great options for state parks in Texas. So we decided on Garner State Park which was about 2 hours from where we live. It was another perfect camping trip. We got the kids right after school and heading out of town. We got there in time to get set up and cook dinner before the sun went down. It was a really beautiful place with the Frio river running through one side and some "mountains" on the other. It was a big park with over 500 campsites so it was hard to choose where to stay. We ended up picking a site on the river and the kids loved going through the tall grass and having the shallow river right behind us.

 The kids were awesome about going to bed at night but as always the sleeping isn't all that good while camping. Taylor kept uncovering herself and then wanting to snuggle because she was cold. There was a full moon out that night so the kids would wake up and think it was the sun coming up. Right after the kids went to bed we heard something outside the tent and Abe went to investigate. Whatever animal it was made a weird sound as Abe threw a stone to scare it off. I think I would have slept better if I had known what the animal was instead of just assuming the worst.

 In the morning we cooked breakfast and went on a hike to a cave up in the mountains. Taylor was a struggle to keep moving but Ethan did awesome on the 2 mile hike. We were glad we finished the hike in the morning because it got really warm once the clouds moved out of the area and the sun came out.  Here we are starting our hike and Taylor is already ready to be carried.

We had to take LOTS of breaks along the rocky trail.

 Abe and the kids ventured into the cave while I stayed outside.  Someone has to be ready to call for help when they get eaten by a bear.

 The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful.  The river just looked so inviting.

 Way too close to the edge for my taste.

The kids had a great time playing in the river and climbing rocks and going on a few more short hikes before we called it quits for the day. One day was definitely not enough time to enjoy everything the park had to offer but it was a fun little escape. I think the kids could have spent the day just playing in the shallow water behind our campsite.  Here they are fishing behind the campsite.  The thrill wore off quickly when they realized how hard it was to catch anything.

Abe enjoying his Slim Jim, which are required for camping at our house.

 The water was cool but so clear and beautiful.  I wish I would have thought to bring their life jackets or tubes to float in but I really didn't think it would be as warm as it was.

We found lots of big rocks to climb.

 They had a lot of huge cedar trees in the area that were just amazing.

 After we got home and got everyone ready for bed I guess Ethan decided he wasn't done camping so he got him sleeping bag out and made a bed for himself beside our bed.  We never know where we will find that boy when we go to bed.

It was a great mini vacation and we can't wait to go back.  Anyone up for some camping with us??

More Fall Fun

We have been able to enjoy some more fall fun lately.  We carved a pumpkin with some good friends.  Which was rotten within a few days and was covered in black mold before I forced the kids to let me throw it away.  We also went to a pumpkin patch with Taylor's joy school class. 

But of course the most fun of all was all the Halloween activities.  And there were so many of them.  Both of the kids had "Fall Fest" at their schools on the same night.  We did make it to both for lots of fun games and seeing all their school friends.  Then we had the ward Trunk or Treat which happened to be on the only cool night we have had all fall.  We had to make a run to Target to find Taylor a long sleeve shirt to wear under her dress to keep her warm.  Then we had some Halloween play dates, Halloween parties at school, and finally trick or treating.  So here are some of my favorite pictures from all the holiday fun.

Ethan is the red Power Ranger and Taylor was Cinderella. They both took their roles very seriously.  Ethan was wild and crazy as usual with lots of karate moves through out the night.  Taylor was constantly showing me how princesses lift their dresses to run and was so lady like and adorable.  We went over to a friend's house to eat pizza and go trick or treating and the kids were having a fun time playing while we waited for it to get dark.  It was mainly boys and they were running around in the backyard with fake guns and grenades and then I see Taylor in her princess dress crotched down in the bushes with a bazooka looking quite ready for battle.  She has a great mix of princess and tomboy in her and I love it.

For preschool all the kids put on a parade for the parents.  Taylor was so cute as she led the line and waved so sweetly.  Her favorite friend is right behind her in line so I know she was loving that.  She cracks me up with the things she tells me about her school friends.  She is very concerned about one boy that she believes can't talk yet, can't pour water at snack time and pretty much couldn't function without her.  She has an rival that sounds to be an exact replica of Taylor when it comes to being bossy and helpful all at the same time.  Its funny to hear her tell me about Chloe helped the little boy and she will roll her eyes and say "She is SO bossy."  Oh the pot calling the kettle black!