Finally, Our Weekend!!!!!

So, we took the boys on their first overnight camping trip this past weekend. We originally had planned on going with some girls Willy works with and their families, but they all backed out but us. The forecast was mid-90's, and we would be in a tent, but I needed to be away and busy for the weekend. We packed the van to overflowing and started Scooby-Doo for the boys and headed for SE Missouri (a three hour trip).

It seemed as though it took forever to get to Jellystone Park. There was very little to look at other than the trees and the haze. But the boys were pretty quiet with the exception of are we camping yet? hehe Oh the joy when we saw Yogi Bear.

Our campsite was right on the river. Seriously 20 feet from the edge of the water. Willy started putting the tent up right away and I began to air up the mattresses. Colton thought it looked fun, so he willingly went to work also.

Here is a picture of our view from my air mattress. Pretty darn cool!

Our first swim after setting up camp. Notice the cover-up I have on? I don't wear one piece suits well. And the cover-up when pulled all the way up squishes me like crazy. But there is no way I feel comfortable yet showing my belly and the "twin skin" Colton LOVED swimming in the river, although the life jacket assisted in his floating further from shore some.

Daddy and the boys all brought their fishing poles. You would think fishing would be pretty successful with it being the river and all. But not a fish was caught. Many were seen though. Here's Ethan concentrating real hard on his fishing skills.

Colton and Ethan shared the queen air mattress. Even though it was sweltering outside, the requested to be covered by the sleeping bag. Silly boys, they changed their mind a little later.

After putting the boys to bed, Willy and I hung out some and took a midnight swim in the river. It was so wonderful to be in the water with him in nothing but the moonlight, looking up at the stars. I wish we could have this time together more. After getting out, it was time for a late-night snack. Yum!

The next morning, while I was getting breakfast together, Willy decided to do some snorkeling and check out the fish. Colton thought it was pretty neat and had to try it too.

Instead of the 4 mile float we originally planned on, we decided to take our tubes and raft upstream about 1/2 a mile and float down to our camp. This was FREE and we wouldn't be on the water and the boys decide to get cranky after a poor night's sleep. Both boys wanted to help by carrying the oars. Here Colton is pretending to shoot deer with his.

Willy and Colton took the raft while Ethan and I took the tube. I love sitting in the tube and floating and it's really peaceful with one of my boys to snuggle with. Ethan was apprehensive at first, but soon loved it also.

I know I've made mention about how dragonflies remind me of Lucas and Caleb. And this has really been the summer for dragonflies. I was sitting tethered to a rock in the river when one landed on my toe. Every once in awhile it would fly off, but would always come back and sit. It spent probably 20 minutes sitting on my toe. This brought the most amazing peace.

And here is me sitting in the river going nowhere. We had TONS of tubers go by. One guy who'd obviously been on the river for quite awhile grabbed my rope and said, "Wait a minute, guys, I got a big one." and my comment back to him with a smile, "Are you calling me fat?" Hilarious. The poor guy was so embarrassed. I thought it was pretty funny.

Although no one caught any fish, an armadillo was caught floating down the river. Had to take this picture for my MIL, Dru, who collects armadillos.

We came home Saturday night, a day early. We figured we could quickly pack up and sleep in our air conditioned home and make it to church on Sunday. I really think it was a great decision. We put the boys in the van with Scooby-Doo and had everything packed up within an hour.

On Sunday, after church and naps, we went out to Mike and Dru's. Mike mentioned how there were some frogs that had been hanging out in their flower garden next to the house. And Colton LOVES catching frogs. He is boy through and through.

Daddy even worked to catch some. Just had to add this pic. Love you, honey!!

And here's grandma getting in on the action. She was all about blocking them from getting past her, but apparently wasn't excited about them jumping on her. I have not laughed so hard in months.

We also played some baseball with Colton afterwards. Here's part of the video Willy took.

The weekend was everything I wanted to be and more. And thank you to everyone who helped get it off to a good start.