Every year we do a summer vacation with my parents and siblings. We started our adventure by picking up Clayton and Kara on the way to our final destination: Broken Bow, Oklahoma. We left on a Saturday, right after my good friend Lauren's shower. It was a bit hectic helping to put the shower on and then taking off to start our vacation immediately when I got home from the shower.
Saturday: Swimming at Clayton and Kara's apartment pool
After going to church with Clayton and Kara, we took off for Oklahoma. Both of the boys fell asleep for a few hours, so that helped the drive go quicker. Here is our cabin that we stayed in all together.
Front view:
Back view
We had everyone there except Kari and Jared's family who are out of the country. We missed them a lot!! The week was filled with one big activity everyday, and the rest of the day was filled with eating, games, and naps for the kids.
Monday: Swimming at Brazos Bend Lake
(This water was freezing! It took us all awhile to immerse ourselves.)
Tuesday we went boating
Lindsey and Derrick and their new puppy, Roger.
L & D just celebrated their 1 year anniversary!
I wanted to ride the tube with my boys, but it proved a lot more difficult than I thought to hunch over with a pregnant belly.
Tube war between Zane, Derrick, and Clayton. Clayton is just barely hanging on at this point!
Lindsey riding the tube with my boys.
Beautiful scenery.
Clayton and Caleb had a really good ride together and caught some air a few times.
Grandpa with my boys
Gavin's first time on the tube! Do you see a common theme in all the tube pictures? Caleb LOVED riding and wanted to go on every ride. It was difficult to convince him to take turns with other people. He always wanted to know when it would be his next turn.
Carter helping Grandpa drive the boat.
On Wednesday we went hiking. Caleb and Dallin each found their own walking stick, and we set off.
Walking on a fallen tree.
Good hikers! ...as long as it was flat. As soon as we started hiking up a hill, then the complaining started.
Matt catching tadpoles in his hand to show the kids.
Grandma and Carter looking at a bug.
Caleb refused to pose for a family picture with us, so Dallin posed instead.
Hiking with Daddy up the hill
Carter refused to walk up the hill so several people helped to carry him on their shoulders. Clay says he wasn't sweating on the hike until he had to carry Carter. Carter's a heavy 30 pound boy.
Poor Zane. Gavin fell asleep on top of Zane's shoulders. Zane's neck was killing him.
Vacations always consist of yummy food! Here's Carter enjoying some ice cream.
Vacations also have lots and lots of games! Here's Grandpa and Caleb playing Parcheesi. Caleb's a little obsessed with this game and was constantly asking for someone to play with him.
"Whose turn is it to play with me next?"
Chutes and Ladders before bed
As adults, we covered the spectrum of games: Dominion, Ticket to Ride, Rage, Rummikub, Spoons, Taboo, Armpit (Scum), Spades, Catch Phrase, 4 Men on a Couch, and a fun Noun game that Kara introduced to us. Here's Matt playing Spoons.
Due to all the great meals, it is a necessity to exercise on vacation. These 4 did Insanity. It's too intense for my pregnant status, so I went out jogging a few times.
Caleb loves to fish, so Thursday morning, Matt and Caleb got up extra early to go fishing.
Caleb took this picture
On their way back from fishing, Matt saw and followed a truck that he knew was going to restock the lake with fish. Matt asked if Caleb could help.
After breakfast on Thursday, we found a warmer lake to swim in and rented some tubes for added fun.
Kara, Clayton, and baby Ellery
Lindsey and Roger, who did not like the water!
Grandma and Gavin
Me and Carter
Practicing floating
Caleb collecting some rocks
The men trying to get three men standing up on a tube at the same time.
A few succeeded standing up individually.
Tube wars ensued. Ariane was the victor of the first round, and Matt won the second round.
As always, vacations go too quickly. I LOVE spending time with my family!! With more kids coming into the picture, these vacations are just going to continue to get harder, but I appreciate the effort on my parent's part to always make sure these vacations happen. We had a fabulous time!
