Wrapping it up...

I have got to finish posting this trip so here are the last few days. Thursday was another day on the lake and this time Maren, Cam, Christian, Matt and I got to spend the entire afternoon pretending we were still in high school. Lots of skiing with no kids and perfect conditions. Matt still showing off was he's got. Christian is still young so he doesn't count. The rest of us tried real hard but really just paid for it with headaches and sore muscles from wipe outs!

The last day the big boys spent the morning fishing

And were very successful
The last day we took the kids to the lake while the boys were on their fishing trip. We first let them get up close with the dam. I think this is so beautiful and amazing. Here is a view of the white river that begins at the dam. You can kind of see the fog coming off the water. It is beautiful.

Graham, Grams and I on the bridge

Exploring the dam

swimming at the beach with a storm brewing in the background

Maren, my cousin Emily and I with our boys

I love this picture

Almost all the cousins. So fun to be spend time with them.

And our attempt at some family shots in my grandma's backyard.

Not quite Christmas card quality but it will have to do!

Thank you mom and dad for such a great week. We love Arkansas!

Day 4- Blanchard Springs

Blanchard Springs caverns is another favorite spot in the Ozarks. The caves are still so fascinating to me and the kids love it. We took the hour tour of the upper cave and even saw a few bats this year.
Outside waiting for our tour
A natural spring comes out from the cave and makes this nice little waterfall

Got to put up this picture of Graham with my Grams.

The spring meets up with a river and there are a few spots where chutes form in the rocks. It is fun to swim down or fine a nice place where you can rest and let the water just run over you.

Crew getting into the cliff jumping

Another great day. No wonder Crew keeps asking to go back!

By the way... did you know Graham is 8 months today? My biggest boy! I will post more on him later.

Day 3- Around the House

Tuesday was spent mostly just at Grandma's house. This is her home. Isn't it wonderful? Up on a hill, fantastic front porch, and... This sweet little lady. How she is able to keep her home so kept up and all the flowers flourishing is beyond me! I love this house.

It is not unusual for grandpa to bust out the fudgesicles by 10 am, especially if it is a warm day like this.

The boys heading down to the pond for some fishing

The fish in this pond are more like pets to the people that live next door so as soon as they see people on the dock they come swimming up. Of course that made for some pretty fantastic fishing especially for these first timers. Here is one of Crew's catches.
And another. I love Carson's face in this because he is probably thinking "Yeah, that is nothing. Did you see what I caught?"

Carson's first fish was this massive catfish! It actually broke his little toy fishing pole but was the catch of the day.
Graham enjoying the fishing
And grandma

My siblings

I love Parker downing the sonic drink
Then it was time ride the lawn mower
Graham supervisedAfter dinner it was more Popsicles as we walked down to my cousins. I love this shot.
Always a beautiful sunset

And we usually end most days with a few fireworks.

Makes for a pretty good day don't ya think?

Arkansas Day 2

Monday was our big lake day. Bull Shoals lake is about the same size as lake Powell and just 15 minutes away from my grandma's. It is warm, surrounded by green trees, and almost completely ours alone! We literally only saw six other boats the entire day. We had almost all of my cousins there too so we had one big pontoon boat that we anchored in a cove and then two other boats that rotate out the skiers and tubers. I love this day! It is so much fun to me to just swim in the middle of the lake or float on life jackets and hang out with my cousins. No flags, no boats almost running us over, just making the most of our Arkansas lakes. Here we are at the marina getting ready to head out.

I love this picture of Crew with the wind blowing in his hair:)

Graham was so happy once we parked the big pontoon so he could take off his life jacket and play. This kid was such a trooper! We got to the lake about 10 and didn't leave until a little after 5! That is a long day on the lake for such a little guy and he did great!
Christian and Crew armed and ready

The boys needed a little help before braving the tube alone
After Maren dropped out.

Crew water skied for the first time. This little horse shoe was great to teach them. It is a lot easier to learn to ski when you don't have to worry about keeping your legs together and straight.

I was so proud of Crew for trying even though he would always bail about 20 seconds after he realized Matt wasn't behind him anymore!
Our pontoon had a deck on top that was great for jumping off
Christian in flight
Crew peeking down from the top
Crew took a little coaxing from his uncle Cam (he would buy him a toy at Walmart) but once he did we couldn't keep him off!

Poor kid, squeezing his face out of the life jacket. He hated wearing it on the boat but really loved swimming in the lake with all the rest of the kids.

Some of the cousins. So much fun to be with them. Don't worry about my evil glow from Graham's life jacket!

I love Crew's face here.

It was a great day and we were all wiped out by the end. But don't try anything on Crew... he was still ready for anything:)