This post has been a long time coming. There just hasn't been any time. I didn't proof read it at all. I am just thankful to get it posted!
About a month ago, we took our family vacation to Garner State Park in the Texas Hill Country. This is a family tradition, but the Leonard's hadn't been for about 4 years.
There was swimming in the Frio. Unfortunately, you'll have to visit other people's posts or blogs for any pictures of this. I was too busy keeping three kids alive to take any pictures. Caleb had a lovely time on the rope swing (terrifying) and jumping off a log. Brooke snorkeled all over the place. We had the Lenfest cousins there too, so there was plenty to do in the water and plenty of kiddos to keep from drowning!
We did get some pictures of our hike and swim into Lost Maples. We took Adeline with us. She had no problem adopting Grandpa and ensuring that he was sufficiently splashed. Between the three of them splashing it is a wonder that Grandpa didn't drown from all the splashing.
We purchased field guides for just about everything before we left for camping. Each morning was typically filled with discover of some kind. Brooke and Adeline were off collecting butterflies in the butterfly net or some other scientific adventure. We identified trees, bugs, butterflies, and black widow. Here are some pictures of some of our coolest finds.
There was dancing! Brooke became quite a fan of the dance. She wanted to go each and every night and had no problem asking the boys to dance. Brooke and Braedan (I think) became a pretty good little two stepping couple! I was so proud at how she not only wasn't scared to dance having never done so before, but also could care less if the boys told her no. She just kept looking for more. Caleb on the other hand wasn't so keen on dancing. He'd dance with mommy, but mostly the dance was for exploring and playing with cool finger lights.
We climbed old baldy. Poor Brooke was so sick that day. She was a trooper though and made it up and down on her own. She did quite a lot of stopping to investigate the rocks and foliage. Caleb led Grandpa on a merry chase. He just shimmied up and down that mountain. It was all Grandpa could do to keep up with him. I on the other hand was just proud that I made it up and down. My ankle didn't really hurt at all or keep from doing anything. I was slow because I was nervous, but all in all, very excited at how much I've healed.
This is my favorite picture from the mountain. Mason is really a vampire or zombie or werewolf and he transformed right before our eyes while we were up there. It was crazy! Will was able to talk him back to human before anyone got injured.
I didn't attend the Crystal cave expedition, so my story is second hand. However, I don't believe that my son will every step foot in another cave for the rest of his life. The ceiling of crystal cave is lined with daddy long legs. There are so many that it looks like the cave is growing hair. Well, apparently everyone told Caleb not to look up. What does a 6 year old boy do when told not to do something? He does it. and FREAKS out. Apparently his reaction was straight out of a horror movie.
Will entertained the children with his guitar around the picnic table. It was dark so the pictures didn't come out well, but this is one of the highlights of the trip. Adeline introduced us to a few great songs. There was dancing and laughing. The glow stick song had them giggling so hard!
We drank a lot of alcohol. We celebrated Stephanie's birthday with a ridiculous hamburger cake complete with french fries. It was so hot the icing started melting off before we ate it though.
The Clare corral (a 4x8 ish play pen) was a semi success. It gave us a place to set babies when something else had to get done. The problem was that if any child was set in there with Clare, Clare destroyed them. She literally crawled over, stole toys, and was a completely terrible cousin. We will try to teach her some manners, but as she has to contend with Caleb and Brooke, I am worried it might not improve. At least she smiles a lot and is very happy when she does it, right?
Here are a few more random pictures of Clare on the trip. She didn't 'do' a lot. She did enjoy swimming and was quite patient. She had just learned to crawl and was forced to be pretty much stationary the whole week.
Will grew a camping beard. He was quite proud of it, but forced to shave! :)
A couple of pictures at the overlook. Clare was asleep in the car and Lily and Stephanie declined the trip up the mountain.
On the way home, we all had a lovely lunch at MiTierra's in San Antonio. Dad had them play Stephanie Happy Birthday!
It was a lovely, exhausting vacation. We can't wait to do it again!
