Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Camping at Brownwood State Park (Spring Break 2012)

This post is going to have a little words and a lot of pictures!

We went camping with Coleman’s best buddy Jackson and his family (Our good buddies too!) for the Thursday- Sunday at the end of our Spring break this year.  It was our first camping trip together and we had a blast.  We took our little pop-up, and the Z family had their first tent-camping experience with the kids (they have had a camper in the past.)  We all did great!  The worst thing we forgot was COFFEE, and the worst pain in the booty that happened was Jeff’s truck battery dying and having to drive quite a ways to the nearest Wal-Mart to buy a new one.  (Isn’t it always something with one of our vehicles or keys?!)

We got there on Thursday around noon, and drove around loops many times to find the perfect spot.  After setting up, we went on a hike.  The hike this day was muddy and messy, but the kids had a blast, of course!  They are no strangers to dirt.

The kids had 3 days full of independence and exploration.

DSC_8509

DSC_8520

These 4 get along so well.  The 2 little buddies Coleman and Jackson are 2 little peas in a pod, and Shelby has no problem being the only girl (or maybe doesn’t even know she is!)  She stays right along with the boys. 

DSC_8500a

Here are their silly faces!

DSC_8501

Shelby just loves Jackson’s older brother, Collin, who was also in her class at TCC.  They are both in first grade now and were best buds for the whole trip.

DSC_8598

This is Mom Jess and Dad Jake

DSC_8505

We found ourselves along the shore and stopped to enjoy.

DSC_8534

On the camera I noticed plenty of shots of “Boys being boys”  Ahem.  Excuse them.

DSC_8547

And our Mary dog was, of course, the perfect hiking doggie.

DSC_8549

DSC_8553

DSC_8555

Jeff caught Collin’s first skipped rock on camera.

DSC_8559

DSC_8561

My GIRL

DSC_8568

DSC_8575

DSC_8577

DSC_8582  DSC_8583

DSC_8588

DSC_8614

DSC_8606

Muscles!

DSC_8610

DSC_8613


DSC_8616

DSC_8619

Back to the truck!  (Jackson was so dirty that his daddy didn’t want to hold him close, haha!)

DSC_8624

DSC_8600

I love my boy and my girl.  Boy:

DSC_8625

Girl:

DSC_8627

Doesn’t that about sum it up?!


Back at the camp site, there was a LOT of bike riding.  It was a small, quite camping loop and the kids LOVED the independence we gave them. 

DSC_8632

DSC_8634

DSC_8636

“My buddy, my buddy.  Wherever I go, he goes!!”
DSC_8640

DSC_8643

DSC_8629

The next day, we went hiking on another trail in the park.  This one was along the shore but high up, and much less messy.

DSC_8648

Z family picture:
DSC_8657

And our attempts at one!

DSC_8658

DSC_8659

Of course NOW he smiles:

DSC_8662

DSC_8673

DSC_8675

DSC_8676

DSC_8678

DSC_8681

DSC_8683

DSC_8688

DSC_8689

DSC_8698

They scare me a little.  NO fear:

DSC_8701

Later, we went to the “sandy beach”  It was too cold to really swim, but the kids made do.

DSC_8712

Coleman worked hard on a sand castle village the whole time.

DSC_8714

They decided to build a moat around it and fill it with water.

DSC_8717

There were many, many trips back and forth to fill it up.

DSC_8758

…until we brought in the big guns!

DSC_8766

Shelby and Collin…well, they decided to get a little dirty!

DSC_8721


DSC_8727

DSC_8735

DSC_8745

DSC_8761

This picture just cracks me up- who knows what they were saying/doing?!

DSC_8767

DSC_8723

The weather was cloudy and windy, but perfect temps for enjoying a little campfire!

DSC_8769

They pulled kites behind their bikes.

DSC_8785

The next day, another hike:

DSCF2344

DSCF2345


DSCF2347

DSCF2350

DSCF2353

It was St. Patty’s day so we tried to take some pictures in a field of clovers.  Pretty much fail, haha.
DSCF2359

DSCF2360

We left Sunday morning.  Packing up is never fun, but it is getting much easier now that the kids are older and will just "GO PLAY."  :)
This was a wonderful, relaxing camping trip full of friends and fun with the Z fam!  We look forward to more of these to come!

No comments: