Fall Camping: Lost Maples State Park

This year we went to Lost Maples State Park for our fall camping trip. It was a pretty long drive for us (3 hours) but it was a really pretty drive. It is very hilly down there. There are big beautiful trees. In mid-late October, the maple leaves begin to change and it is even more beautiful. I was sad that we missed that.

You do not want you tent to look like this during a thunderstorm.

This was above poor Madeline. During the night, Caren noticed that water was pouring in on her, Zadie, and Madeline. We ended up moving to sleep in the cars. 

This girl didn't seem to mind. 

Anderson found something really cool. 

The kids stayed pretty busy playing dominoes. 

"Can I have a drink of that?" 

There may have been a tantrum or two. 

This place offered these cool explorer backpacks to rent for the kids. It had binoculars, a compass, a sketch pad, a journal, crayons, a pen, a track finder, and pamphlets to identify plants, animals, insects, and other stuff. It was a really cool idea but I think they are intended for older kids. 

Luc and Maizie had me take pictures of things they were exploring. 

Brian tasted a Texas persimmon. 

The kids did too. I bet early Texans had some stained teeth. 

This baby thought she was big. 

Maizie got injured. Luc helped her walk all the way back to the campsite. These two are too much. 

We always have major post camping meltdowns. Everyone, including Mama and Daddy, are exhausted. On this day, the kids were fast asleep by 6:30. I think Brian and I were in bed by 8:30. Whew... 

Here is our typical camping trip: we get there, set up the tent, go on a hike, have dinner, put the kids to bed, hang out with friends, go to sleep, have breakfast, go for a hike, pack up, then drive home. We all decided that we are ready for weekend long camping trips from now on. There is way too much work involved to only stay one night.

Although, this trip was pretty crazy with a broken tent, storm, and really far drive, I do recommend this park. It was really pretty. The park ranger was really sweet and helpful too. He actually came around to all the campsites late that night to let everyone know that a storm was coming.

Horseshoe Bay

My friends Jamie and Lauren invited us to their parents lake house last weekend. They are so lucky to have such a nice place to go in the summer. It almost makes me feel better for being so far from home and the beach house. They have built their own little beach for the kids to play. They have a boat and jet skis. Thank you so much Jamie and Lauren for inviting us to play. We had so much fun.

 Lauren's little girl, Claire, is a few months younger than Evan. They had a lot of fun playing together.

 Luc is obsessed with this lighthouse. He noticed it last year when we were there. He remembered it and talked about it the whole way there. Once we got there he begged Kelsea to take him over there on the jet ski. He really wants to go inside and "see how it shines" but it's locked.

 The teenagers were so sweet to drive Luc around on the jet skis and take him tubing. He was in Heaven. I'm so proud to have a water fun baby.

 Evan talked about riding the jet ski but he was just as content watching from the side. I'm sure he would have really wanted to go if I had gone with him. I was pretty chicken of the cold water though.

 Evan did get to go on a couple of boat rides. He loved it. Luc addressed Jamie's dad "The Captain". Jamie said her dad loved it. He would go find him around the house and say "Hey Captain, are you ready to take the boat out?"

 This boy took a little nap on the boat.

 Luc loves tubing. I'm so glad I didn't have to go with him. Thank you Blair and Kat for taking him.

 Evan enjoyed pouring water on his face to make people laugh.

 Luc was throwing a fit during this picture because he didn't want to leave. These kids are awesome for entertaining my kids all day. Thank you!

Strawberry Picking

We love going to the strawberry farm in the spring. We went with the Browns a few days ago. We picked LOTS of strawberries. Some were very interesting looking.

 It was a lot of muddy fun

 This may be my favorite picture

 This is also a favorite. I love these two blondies.

 Evan told this goat "Eat mine boot goat"

We had a lot of fun.

Chalk Ridge Falls Park

We found (actually my mom found) this place just north of Austin in Salado, TX. It's called Chalk Ridge Falls Park. It's right by a lake that I don't remember the name of. There are tons of hiking trails in there. There is a waterfall...with very little water this year. There are also caves in the mountain that the trail follows along. We tried to find the largest one which people go in but we didn't make it that far. It is about 5 miles down the trail. It would be awesome to go back without kids to find it though. The trails are very easy for kids to hike though. There are cliffs that you really have to watch out for.

Brian's arm transformed into "stickarm"

 the boys with GiGi

 This is the closest picture of them both looking at me

 You can either hike along the river or up beside the mountain

 A dry part of the riverbed

 Cutie!

 This has bad idea written all over it. As I am watching, I was thinking "how in the world are we going to get him back to the car to get to the hospital when he falls and breaks something"

 Chalk Ridge Falls

 This is the cool suspension bridge that hangs over the creek

 We didn't find the cave but we did find an overhang which made the perfect spot for lunch.

 Waiting for us to get up

 Luc got to collect a lot of tiny rocks and dirt in this little pumpkin

 Deep thought

 Trying to open a mock orange

 Skipping rocks