Turner Falls

We were all super excited to take a trip,
OUT of Texas!
We haven't driven out of the state since we
moved here 5 years ago.
So it's been LONG over due!

Up the road to Oklahoma to camp
at Turner Falls.
If you think about it there aren't many
"waterfalls" in the U.S.
Plus this one drops over 75ft!
We were in awe of how beautiful it was
and only 2 hours away!!

Thankfully our friends were courageous enough
to drive down the hiking trail to find us the
PERFECT camping spot.

We were able to put our tents just a few feet away from
this gorgeous stream that fed into the waterfall.
The scenery and the sound of the rushing water
was addicting!

At first the kids thought these little
drops in the stream were THE
waterfall!

That is until they saw THIS!!
Next time I hope we can hike along the top
of the ridge to overlook the falls.

Mother Nature at her finest!

Swimming In The Stream

After all the tents were up and we were
settled in the kids were begging to put
their swimsuits on!

We set off to find a good spot
to swim around the stream.

We kept telling the kids there was a Troll
under the bridge.
(They were very determined to meet him.)

Emma's attempt to photograph
us walking.

And the swimmers are ready!
(while Keira takes a long overdue nap)


Sydney timidly enters the mossy water.
Not quite sure if it's worth getting her feet dirty.

"Daddy, help me!"

Enjoying the water running through their toes.
Even if it was 20 degrees!!

In search of an adventure!
2 dare-devils!

Swim it Emma!

Syd has never liked cold water.
I think it's because she needs some meat
on her bones!

"Mom, can I take some pictures?"

"Sure!"

Emma is freezing, covered in goose-bumps,
and loving it!

Larry is shocked that Emma can put
her whole body into the frigid water.

Wading through the rocks to deeper water.

Sydney gets some guts and tries to enjoy it too!

Up, down, Up, down, back and forth.

Time to swing Tarzan...

...and Jane.

With a little sun and towels,
full color was restored to her little blue toes!

Let's Celebrate

Most people would give their daughter
a girly fairy princess party with all the trimmings.

Except for our family...
we've been there,
done that.

Instead we bring Keira out into the woods
full of dirt, insects and no electricity or running water.
(unless you count the stream)
To enjoy her 1st birthday!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...
"Aaaa, mom! What's that?
Why are you bringing a large pile of something brown
with a flame on it, right into my face?"

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to,
cry if I want to.
You would cry too, if it happened to you!"

As Daddy attempts to sooth Keira into
blowing out her candles.

"Well this isn't so bad."

"Oh you mean, it's edible?
And covered in CHOCOLATE!"

Simply, delicious.

"I don't need your help Dad,
I think I can feed myself."

"More please!"

Keira is MORE then pleased with the results!

And so are these guys...

More then willing to show Keira how tasty a chocolate cupcake can be!

(All cupcakes photographed are courtesy of Little Debbie, a mom's best friend)

Somebody Is 1 Today

One year ago today,
this little beauty joined our family.
I was surprised to find out the previous weeks
at how fast my body was preparing for birth.

At my 38th week appointment
the midwife said...
"well, your dilated to a 4,
very soft and I think she might
drop out of you at any second.
Can someone come pick up your other kids,
because we're having this baby today!"

I was shocked!
Things had never been like this for me,
but I was grateful to have the pregnancy over
sooner then later.

And within 2 hours of popping my water
and then progressing from a 5 to a 10
and giving birth in 30 mins,
made it the CRAZIEST 30 mins
of my life.

Although it was hard, it was worth it.
Happy 1st Birthday Keira Jane!!

Put The "P" In the Potty

For my potty training friends.
And since all of us eventually have to do it.
This is where I've found my inspiration and ideas to implement.
Click here!

Making Plans To Be Prepared

For months I've been dreaming about taking a family vacation. A place to get away, enjoy the kids, roll around in the dirt and commune with nature. I have loads of fond memories of camping with my family and I wanted to do the same for mine. And now is a perfect time.

#1. I'm NOT pregnant.
#2. We have a van.

2 BIG excuse that have kept us from one of our favorite things. The past 2 times we've gone camping I was pregnant with Ben and then with Keira. And let's just say...it rarely works out.

Usually I'm extremely tired, very moody, on the edge with my friendliness with bugs and not very helpful. See when you camp you need tons of energy to set up camp, keep kids entertained, to cook with out conveniences and unusually LARGE amounts of patients for annoying bugs and for all the things that will go wrong. Because 9 times out of 10 something goes wrong, the weather doesn't cooperate, your neighboring tents are lunatics or you forget something vital, to which lead you to conversing with your lunatic neighbors to borrow what you've forgotten.

But this time it's bound to be better. The weather is looking promising, my camping neighbors will be close friends in whom I can tell them to their face their lunatics and they will gracious laugh and tell me I'm one too. Plus we're starting early and making a list. So hopefully nothing will be forgotten!!

With wonderful autumn weather joining us here in North Texas we enjoyed BBQing outside with the kids and then gathered on the grass for a wonderful lesson from Larry about preparing. He spoke of how God had a plan on how to create the earth. And how it took time, 7 days. And then showed us pictures of the earth and of the pioneers heading west. Then relating it to how the Pioneers needed a plan and had to pack all that they needed.

We then talked about our camping trip and asked the kids to suggest things we might need. They were brilliant with their ideas of sleeping bags, bug spray and bathing suits. Which lead us to start making piles in the garage to see what we have and what we need to be prepared and set a plan. Hopefully they learned something. But most of all now they are so excited to go camping, it's ALL they can talk about!!

A Roof Made Of Bird Seed

With a few weeks of weird weather and
layer upon layers of rain
some strange things started happening.
Like mushroom gardens growing in the middle
of my lawn in September.
Waking up to 59 degrees and pulling out
winter clothes 2 months early.
Then there was that incessant noise.

Although muffled by the walls of my home,
it was still loud enough to catch my attention.
Finally by 2pm I opened the front door and saw
this on the house next door.

Billions of little black birds pecking away at the roof.
And now that I realize they seem to be going from
one house to the next.
It's as if they were made of bird seed.
Eventually I started throwing pebbles at
my own roof to make sure there weren't any on mine.

Eventually I got bored and started taking photos
of things around the yard.

Like this garden step Larry made.

And these little followers that shadow me
24/7.

These are Ben's "happy face".

"What'ch you lookin' at Willis?"

Always striking a pose!