Fall Camping Trip

Last Wednesday through Sunday the whole family (Bergstroms, Heinzes, Mannings, and us) went to Daingerfield for our annual fall camping trip.  The weather was gorgeous, and the trees were in their fall prime.  We had a blast together, as usual!

Early morning walk around the lake:

He looks JUST like Eric in this picture:

One of the hilights of the weekend for the kids was building a bottle rocket (propelled by the reaction between vinegar and baking soda) and launching it over and over again.

Tree climber:

On the playground:

Charlie, Eli, and Timothy:

He was digging through the box of bait worms to choose which one he wanted for his "pet."  :)  And look at that sky!

Jacey and Eli like to do the "spider" on the swings.  They laugh and laugh, and it's adorable to watch (and impossible to get a photo of).

Cousins on the boats:

Paddle boating!  We canoed and paddle boated at sunset one day, and the lake was as smooth as glass.  It was one of those "perfect" moments that I'll never forget.

Cousins on a hike:

I love the special bond these two have always had:

Family picture!

We are already looking forward to the spring camping trip!

Rodeo Day and Halloween

Eli's school had "Rodeo Day" a couple weeks ago, and they went all out!  In the suburbian Dallas schools where my sisters and I went, "Rodeo Day" meant wearing a bandanna and coloring a picture of a cowboy.  Eli's school is in the country, so "Rodeo Day" takes on a whole new meaning!  :)  They had horses, tons of "farm games," lessons on how to throw a lasso, etc.  Eli loved it.

On a horse (duh):

The ol' "snake in the boot" game:

This sweet cowboy helped Eli actually lasso the fake cow- I was impressed!

Eli's class (from far away, and slightly blurry- sorry):

And then it was Halloween!  We carved a pumpkin:

And Eli went trick-or treating.  He wanted to just wear his soccer uniform to be a "soccer player," which is a costume totally up my non-crafty, non-costume-y personality.  :)

And that brings us pretty much up to date!  Have a great week!