Daingerfield, Fall 2012

Since we were kids, my family has been camping at Daingerfield State Park once every fall and once every spring. I love that the tradition has continued on through our adulthood, especially now that we are all married with kids of our own!

The whole Bergstrom side of the family (Kelly and Phil and kids, Heather and Jonathan and kids, my parents, and the three of us) went to Daingerfield this past Wednesday through Sunday, and we had such a great time! What a blessing and a joy it is to share this time together in such a beautiful place.

The weather was really warm for the first 2 days, so we swam! And then a major cool front moved in, so we bundled up in coats and hats. That's a true Texas camping trip. :) (We stayed in a big, 5-bedroom cabin all together, so the cold weather wasn't an issue at all.)

We hiked, played football, fished, played on the playground, ate great food, sat around the fire, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, went boating, and just laughed and talked and played and enjoyed each other's company.

Daingerfield is our favorite place in Texas, one that holds so many happy memories. We are so thankful to add yet another trip to the tally, and we can't wait to go back in the spring.

Colorado!

Last week (Thursday morning through Sunday night), Eric and I, along with Kelly and Phil, got to go to Estes Park, Colorado! It was a combo 5th anniversary trip (for us) and 30th birthday trip (for Kelly), and we were just so surprised and thankful that it all fell into place like it did!

It was hard to leave Eli, but he had a great time with Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom and Elizabeth and C.J.- they all said he did wonderfully, so that made it a little easier to be away from him for that long.

We stayed in a little condo/cabin outside Estes Park, and it was amazing. We even had a hot tub on the porch that overlooked a mountain valley with a stream running through it. One night sitting out there, we turned off the lights and just looked at the stars. It was a humbling, awe-inspiring trip to be surrounded by such majesty.

We slept, read, soaked in the hot tub, ate great food, and spent our days hiking in the mountains. On both of our big hikes, we hiked into actual snow storms! It was something we will never forget.

We are beyond thankful for this amazing experience, for great care for Eli while we were away, for our priceless friendship with Phil and Kelly, and for the chance to worship the Lord in His beautiful creation

Fall Fun

On Thursday night we took Eli to the State Fair of Texas along with Phil and Kelly and Timothy. We all had a blast, particularly the boys, who got to ride rides, eat junk food, and see animals- a paradise for kids! :)

Eli on the ferris wheel:

Eli and Timothy on the car ride:

And on the airplane ride: (I love what Timothy is doing here. :) )

Eli HAD to have cotton candy and only told us that about 724 times. :)

On Friday Elizabeth and I took Eli and C.J. to the Gentle Zoo. We LOVE that place! The boys were in heaven with the bounce house, giant sand box, animals to pet and feed, tractor/train ride, and giant corn cannons! They even had a gorgeous pumpkin patch set up, which didn't seem fitting in the 87 degree weather! :) But nonetheless, we took the obligatory fall pumpkin patch pictures, even though we were sweating in our shorts and t-shirts. :)

Eli and C.J. on the train/tractor ride:

Eli with the corn cannon: (What little boy would not be thrilled to shoot a 'real' gun as big as this one?)

Sweet boys in the pumpkin patch (though C.J. does not look thrilled about it here):

This picture is a little blurry, but I still like it. He looks so BIG to me in this picture! Look back at past October posts to see our other pumpkin patch pictures. He's grown up so fast- I can't believe it.

The boys with the giant hay bale pumpkin, along with the little pumpkins they picked out to take home:

Eli and the bunnies: (He has asked about a million times since then if we can get a bunny, and he says he wants to name it 'Carol,' I guess after our beloved friend and speech teacher, Mrs. Carol?! :) He LOVES animals.)

Both of these activities were great way to kick off October. It's flying by already!