Fathers Day Float Trip

For fathers day Ron and the boys headed out to the kings river.  Ron had debated about going as the weather was a bit iffy...meaning storms in the forecast but decided to head out.  We rode bike with young life that morning and by the time things were loaded and ready to go it was a late start on the river.  Also Ron added on a gravel dirt ride before canoeing as to not have to deal with a shuttle service-I think his legs were pretty beat when he finally got into the canoe.  The weather ended up cooperating and with some light sprinkles and lightening early in the morning they were spared the big storms we have been having.

One full Canoe!  Only thing we didn't pack enough of was water...should have known!!

Camping spot for the evening.

Somehow Ron's chaco's never made it into the car

Best dad!! 

They opted to sleep in the tent instead of hammocks...James missed his pillow

Beautiful Spot along the Kings River

A special find along the way-turtle laying eggs.

Summer Time

There are plenty hours in a  day when you are home with kids and no school.  It always amazes me what you can fit into a day and still lay around for a couple hours.  This summer is the summer of running.  Brayden has a summer schedule already for the upcoming season and the girls will be starting in a month or so. With Ron and I trying to get in shape for a bike ride in CO I figured running with everyone wasn't such a bad thing. Anyway, we decided to just do a bit of running.  As usual Brayden blows us all out of the water, Ron can always run long and the girls plod along with me with James getting a shorter distance...complaining most of the way but running all of it.  This morning we opted for a morning run-normally we run in the heat of the day as the kids will have to do most of their running then.  Lets just say the morning cool air was wonderful!!

Never say never....That's what I have found out.  I said never again summer ball after one summer with Brayden.  James is now playing summer ball-a chance to play on a bit more competitive team and James is loving it, crazy enough it hasn't been too hot!

This night he was all smiles as he hit a ball to the fence.

Becca finished her week as a leader and dance team member for VBS.  She loves being a part of this group-practices and all,,,probably because they have such a fun time together!

James soccer team came in first place this year...this was a great team-turned out to be on of the reasons we ended up playing summer baseball as a couple kids played and asked us to be on their team for the summer.

 Love this coach a dad....

 Crazy boys!

 We still of plenty time at home during the days-lots of time to just hang out and have fun.  Although reading and chores still have to be done.

Our church has had a couple gatherings and this evening it was at the gathering place.  The kids had fun playing on the playgrounds but most fun hanging out at the skate park.  The sun was setting and they had the place to themselves, and for a bonus it was cool!

I have enjoyed all the rain..mostly because the yard and plants have loved it.  The kids helped finish the last ledge up by our entrance.  Hopefully with all the rain and now sun it will do as well as the others.  I think kids are done digging up dirt and clay and learning how to dig holes and plant plants!

Summer Time!

Hard to believe but we are already into our third week of summer.  As normal June just flys by.  I find that as the kids get older the more school stuff they have to do...and most of it is crammed into June.  James had fun at the elementary basketball camp.  Brayden got some service hours in and volunteered for the week...something the coach expects them to do.  Brayden had his high school basketball camp the next week, followed by a basketball day out in Coweta.  No garentees that he will make the team in Aug-hopefully the time and work will pay off.  Andrea had a week of youth activities called ignite.  Becca got her service hours in volunteering that week as well.  A bit disappointing as the last day was going to be a fun day at the water park but was rained out.  This week we are on to VBS.  Becca is excited to be a leader and on the dance team again and the younger two get to attend.  Brayden is on to workout sessions and continues with soccer in the evenings.  Somehow we added summer baseball into the mix which is for James.  A fun team which he knew a couple boys from soccer-a bit more competitive.  Seems like a lot but we have had plenty time for lazy afternoons by the pool or just hanging around in the house.

 In case you were curious this is the casino by our house...so much water that they let loose a ton of water at the dam causing a lot of flooding.  Our normal bike path is totally underwater....as is the casino pool and parking lot in this pic.

 This was seen from our car window driving home through fort smith.

Just lots of rain....if you know where we live you will notice or not notice the towers.

I did get to spent a weekend away with just Andrea and some girls from her class.  Such a special time with her and her friends.

The summer reading program has started as well as some fun classes at the library.  This day we headed to the down town library for some galaxy painting-followed by a walk to see Ron and check out a candy store.

James is in a night class of swimming this past week.  His favorite thing is this bouncy diving board.  being able to do a huge bounce followed by a dive is just the best for him.

And tis the season for pool parties...although this one was rained out so we ended up at sky zone to jump and play instead.  A great team of girls and coaches-second place in their division this year.

We braved having Brayden Energy Soccer team over-another fun group of boys...big roudy boys but still lots of silly laughs.  Again the party was interrupted with a huge rain storm, which the boys ddidn't seem to mind untill a huge lightening strike was seen.

An evening spent at the pool with our church small group after loosing in corn hole at the annual Geology shrimp boil.

 Another sunday evening spent enjoying the pool with our float trip group from church.

Hoping the rain stays away...although the yard and flowers look great and are loving this strange weather.

Fun on the Rivers-Happy 9th Birthday James

Two weekends in a row we headed out to arkansas to float a couple rivers.  The first was the buffalo...our favorite and not really floatable most of the summer.  We ended up tagging along with some church friends who were planning the trip for a while.  Thankfully they had a cabin and while we did tent for one night we crashed on the cabin floor the other night due to heavy storms/rain.  We were unsure if we would be able to float as storms were predicted but we managed most of the day without rain.  The float ended in a rushing wind and a huge storm pushing us to the take out.  It was quite eventful as the last bit has quite a few rapids and with people rushing and wind and rain there were a lot of people flipping.

click here for a short video of all the floating fun

 loaded for the weekend....next week we added two bikes.

 Thankfully we had a site reserved as we arrived in the dark....to a full campground.

 The group getting started...it was our crew plus three more canoes.

 We hiked up to the cliffs...overlooks directly into the river.

We did make it to the waterfall before the storms rolled in.

 After a night of games and all of us crashing in one cabin to weather out the storm, the sun was out and we were all up for a hike before heading back to tulsa

One of the best places/trails we have been on.  We hiked to a waterfall, actually walked through a tunnel to continue on to the bigger waterfall.  We ended inside a cave crawling to an inner room complete with another waterfall.

Float trip number two was to the Oachita river.  For this trip we were able to find a cabin-perfect location right on the river, complete with some big swings, volleyball net and basketball hoop.  The cabin was pretty old and basic but the air worked which is really all we need.  We floated the river two days with my parents and did some birthday celebrating for James and some Mountain biking on the Womble trail.  Another great place to explore.

 A great porch to eat breakfast on or just hangout.

 hammocks are still the best!

 It was the honey bear cabin....and yes the owner had the thing filled with bears.

 Special times with grandparents.

 Always on the search for rope swings and turtles.

 Easy way to cool off.

Lunch along the river.

 A find along the way.

 Beauty!!

 Womble trail...a bit hard-I guess just for me as I fell a couple times.

 This kid loves his birthday!!!  usually spent on the river.  Breakfast was cinnamon rolls and bacon just for him.

 Andrea finally jumps without being terrified.

 We maxed the car rack out of this trip.

 Birthday celebration time.  Campfire pies followed by cards and some gifts.

 yes, we remembered the cake!!

 but forgot candles.

 Happy birthday to this great 9 year old!!

 Someone really liked this chocolate cake.

Just a couple of the turtles...the kids had a whole mini habitat made for them all the couple nights we were there, I think about 12 little guys.