Summer 2014 Camping Adventure

We wanted to go on a nice little adventure this summer without breaking the bank, a road trip that would satisfy our wanderlust but still accommodate our little ones.  We decided on a camping trip in one of Louisiana's majestic state parks, only a couple hours away from home but plenty of opportunities to explore and experience new things.  We rented a cabin deep in the woods, all the comforts of home for the babies but still rustic and simple. My aunt and uncle and cousins came with us, renting their own cabin close to ours. We had the whole park to ourselves for the first few days as most of the other campers didn't arrive until the weekend.  It was so quiet and peaceful, the landscape so beautiful it just took my breathe away every time I walked outside.

Brees and River stuck to their typical early bird schedules, waking up at dawn and begging to go outside as soon as they opened their eyes.  We had our breakfast on the screened in porch every morning, watching for squirrels and rabbits and birds.  There is no better medicine for a working mama's soul than getting to spend uninterrupted quality time with your babies for a full week of vacation.

We rode our bikes to the lake and went fishing all afternoon, the kids scaring the fish off more than luring them in.  We spotted a family of alligators on the other side of the lake and a couple of snakes, too. 

We cooled off at the splash pad that was just a short bike ride away from our cabin.  

We went on lots of great hikes, from rough terrain to landscaped boardwalks through the swamp. Our kids were such troopers, putting in literally miles that week through every trail we brought them on.  I made scavenger hunts for them on the longer hikes to keep them busy and they had a blast finding all of the random things on my list: bullfrogs, alligator eggs (we actually found some!), various wildflowers...   It was the perfect way to let them burn off all their energy!

The kids took epic naps thanks to all of the activity and the grown ups took a few naps, too.  A true luxury! I even read a book!  And Shawn and I got to spend some nice quiet time together on the porch, just talking and drinking tea and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.  It was so relaxing and rejuvenating.

The older cousins watched the babies for us one afternoon so that Shawn, my aunt and uncle, and I could take Isabelle and Sarah on a canoe trip.  We paddled up the Tickfaw River for several hours, one of my favorite parts of the whole trip.  The girls were so happy to have us all to themselves, a little adventure to call their own.  We spotted tons of wildlife on that canoe trip, Louisiana swamp creatures around every turn.  

River stuck with me on a bike trail that was a couple of miles longer than I had expected.  It was rough and tough and there were some places that I had to get off the bike and push us through fallen trees and muddy waters.  We made it, though, my little buddy and I.  He is such a trooper, smiling his way through our great outdoor adventure.

On the way home, after everything was all packed up and we reluctantly said goodbye to our week in the woods, Isabelle said, "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life!".  And you know what?  She will. It was everything that childhood should be: simple, inspiring, and stimulating.  Days full of activity, nights spent talking around the fire.  Good quality family time with no distractions.  Funny moments we'll never forget like the very big and very brave raccoon who snuck onto our porch and tried to steal our s'mores.  Or teaching Brees how to pop a squat behind a tree right as a group of boyscouts hiked right past us.  Or Shawn getting chased by a bee as we tried to take this picture but not even flinching because he didn't want to have to take the picture AGAIN.

It was an incredible trip with lifelong memories made for our family and I am so thankful for the time we were able to spend together!

Dog Days of Summer

Here in the deep South, the month of August is a time for hibernation. The heat and humidity are so overwhelming that spending time outdoors becomes nearly impossible, completely unenjoyable for sure. Even with our swimming pool right outside our back door, the sweltering heat is enough to keep us indoors. Heat advisories have been all over the news for the last week as temperatures reached 100 degrees with 60% humidity. We say extra prayers at Mass each week for the farmers and their crops, so desperate for rain and an end to this dry season. We remain grateful, however, that the climate here in the Delta allows us to be outside for much of the rest of the year. Just as those who live up North spend time indoors in the bitter winter months, we hide out during summer's climax. This is our time to build blanket forts, play dress up, and use every square inch of our wild imaginations to keep us from going stir crazy. We take full advantage of our air conditioning and stock up on popsicles and big stacks of books. Our time outdoors is limited to the very early morning and a few hours in the evening after dinner, IF we're brave enough to fight off the fleet of mosquitoes who selfishly inhabit our backyard this time of year. But, we know it won't last forever. Soon, it will be time for pumpkins and cardigans and the promise of a cool, crisp October day. Soon, we'll sing Louisiana's praises once again as we head back outdoors for the mild winter we value so much. We've had a lovely summer but, with all due respect, we'll be glad to see these dog days move right along. We're itching to get back outside and jump in a couple of rain puddles, okay?

 

A Day At The Lake

On Monday, my best friend, Jessica, and I took our kids to the lake for the most 

amazing day in the sun.  I grew up on the banks of this lake, spent my childhood 

summers swimming in the watering holes and playing with my cousins in the sand.  I 

love creating new memories at places that are so special to me with my own family, 

spending time together in such familiar surroundings, watching my children explore the 

very same things I found so magical as a little girl.

It was one of those really great days, the kind of day where everyone was content.  

The older kids swam for hours and hours while Brees, Jess, and I lounged at the 

water's edge, constructing sand castles and feasting on ham sandwiches.  We had good 

long talks and let our souls rest in the gentle ease of the day.  The simplicity of it all 

spoke volumes: children need love, the great outdoors, and the freedom to play and

roam wild.  Give us a shady bank on the lake and an afternoon to dance in the sun 

and we are happy.

Sweet Summer Time

Fall and winter are for football, gumbo, and nights around the fire.  Spring is for 
gardening and iced tea on the front porch.  And summer, sweet summer, is for the 
water.  Summer is for spending the day in your swimsuit and bare feet, eating 
ham sandwiches on a picnic blanket, hours and hours playing in the pool.  And so our 
weekend went: morning, afternoon, and evening sessions of swimming, long naps, sun 
kissed skin.  Little girls giggling as their Daddy tosses them up into the air, sunbathing
 on floaties, music floating through the outdoor speakers.  School is out, the weather is
 warm, and we could not be more excited for the promise of long days in the pool together.  
We started making summer 2012 memories this weekend and, by the looks of it, 
we are off to a great start.