Summer's coming to an End

Summer always seems like it has come to a close when the kids spend their last week at our house.  That means that school is about to start and back to the regular schedule. Not as much fun, laughing, movie watching, cooking, cleaning, trips to the Ballpark, stories about camp, chaos.  Boring.

But we had a super fun week!

We started the week with a big family trip to Camp El Tesoro for Ezra's 5th birthday. It was so much fun to spend time with all of my siblings together. I don't know when the last time was that the 5 of us were together.

 I can't say much for sleeping on camp bunks, but the swimming, playing, and star gazing was great.

Benny, Topher, Preston, Addison, Anne, Ezra

Our first Cousin-pic with all 6 of them together!

What do you think Uncle Eric is telling these boys?

Preston & Annie. 

Our next adventure was a trip to the Wringling Brothers, Barnum, & Bailey Circus.  Addison & Preston have never been.  It was a great show but this made me realize how grown-up my kids are.  There were so many little ones at the circus in complete awe of the performance.  It was quite impressive.

I was surprised to see the protesters when we arrived. I hope this isn't true.

Preston caught me trying to take his picture.  He was totally nervous
about the circus guy falling off of the high wire!

And we wrapped up the week with a quick trip to San Antonio.  Inspired by Addison's extra credit project, we made a trip to The Alamo, spent a few hours walking on the Riverwalk, and then hung out at the hotel pool.  And we stopped at the Natural Bridge Caverns on our way home. (These were the coolest underground caves we've been to yet!)

Both Addion & Preston will have Texas History this year for their Social Studies curriculum. It was suggested that we watch the Imax film 'The Alamo' across the street from the Alamo before making taking the tour. I'm so glad that we did this!  The Alamo, an incredible piece of our history, was totally crowded and not very kid-friendly. Nonetheless, I'm glad we made the visit and we can mark it off the list!

Too bad all of my Alamo pictures are on the big camera.

Addison & Eric lounging by the pool. 

And one final video of our little fish, Preston.  He had a BLAST spending 7 hours at the pool. 

So what is there to do on a Houseboat?



Having 12 people makes loading & loading much quicker!

 Everyone asks what did you do on the Houseboat? We did quite a bit.  Lake Ouachita is such a beautiful lake. No homes are located on the shoreline and the water is very clean/clear.  Each day we got up, had a great breakfast, did some swimming, boating, or fishing. We found a new cove each afternoon & spent the evening exploring the new territory.  Each night we relaxed on the top deck while the kids had run of the lower deck, playing board games, hide & seek, or watching movies.

Andrew & Rose in the Hot Tub

Sometimes you just need to get away.

Jackson's big catch!

Water Balloon Launching

Skipping Rocks

Lots of photo opportunities on this beautiful lake.

Crafts.

Bartending.

If the sun was out, Jackson was fishing. (In the same pair of orange shorts).

LOTS of fishing.

The water slide was a hit!

Addi

Preston

Evening geography lessons with Walter

Happy 12th Birthday, Jack!

Driving an 80ft boat is easy-peasy.

No one ever really slept past about 7 AM.



And of course, there is ample opportunity for swimming!



Hot Springs

 It was so fun to go back to Arkansas. I haven't been here since Mimo passed away. I will always remember the excitement of crossing the State line when leaving Texas. It always seemed so far away, but really only 3 hours.

Welcome to Arkansas!
Preston 9, Jackson 11, Rose 13, Addison 13, Reagan 10



Car trouble? Just a loose hubcap. Good excuse to visit the rest stop.



No Comment.

Eric & I picked up some new headwear treasures at a convenience store.

We arrived in Hot Springs on Saturday afternoon with 2 days to take in the sights. We stayed in the Arlington Hotel and got a Bath/Massage Combo. We walked up & down the main drag, did some shopping, and dining. 

Dog Pile!

Rose, Reagan, Amy, PatPat, Addison, Margaret (sleeping)

The Arlington Hotel

A friendly game of Go Fish at breakfast.

Addison and Preston were quick to do some internet research when they heard we were staying in a Historic Hotel.  They were very interested in finding some GHOSTS!  Can you believe it? They spent the better part of Sunday night touring around the hotel, visiting the 11th floor (top), visiting Al Capone's room (4th), and were able to get the bartender to tell them some stories. Unfortunately, they didn't find anything.

Or maybe I should say 'fortunately'. 

Sink or Swim 2012

Summer Vacation 2012 

Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.   

12 people, 7 days, 0 ghosts

The Mom's (Amy & Margaret)

Hill's Lake Escape, # 31



Reagan, Addison, Andrew, Rose, Jackson, Preston



Pimpin' PatPat



Whatever Walter

Captain


And so the adventure begins!

The Olympics

Eric and I are watching the opening ceremonies for the first time. It's pretty fun to see all of the countries represented, find where they are on a map, and identify which one's that Eric has been to (because I've only been to Mexico). I'm looking forward to watching the games and checking out all of the new Olympic info on the app I downloaded. (I really feel a little embarrassed at my opportunities for insight on the Games)!! Who knew there was canoeing? Canoeing!!