Camping with friends

We took the whole family camping this weekend with some of our community group from church. If you know me well, you know that camping is not high on my list of things I like to do. However, God has convicted me of my clinging too closely to the comforts of home. I decided to use the weekend to focus on spending time with my family away from the day to day distractions and enjoy the beauty that God created in nature. ( Including the MANY bugs we encountered). I was reminded that even the conditions we were camping in would be considered nice compared to how many people in this world live on a daily basis. We had flushing toilets and showers within walking distance to our campsite! That would be a luxury for the people still living in tent cities in Haiti. There were six to eight adults and seven to nine kids with us. The numbers varied as some parents and kids only stayed part of the time, not over night. We went to Lake Texoma, the weather was windy but nice. All in all I think the kids had a good time playing at the lake and cooking out. I asked several kids what their favorite part was, and they all said the same thing, " The best part was when we made s'mores ". Since not everyone in our community group wanted to go camping, I think we will at least have to get together this summer and make s'mores in someones backyard. I know my kids would love it. I am disappointed that I only took two pictures on the entire trip! I was too busy cooking or chasing kids to get out my camera. Oh well, I still have the memories.

Rodeo- 4yr old style

Hannah's school just finished up their unit on Texas. To celebrate they had a rodeo day. It started with a "grand entrance" on the stick horses they made. Then they said the pledge to the U.S. and Texas flags. They ended the performance with a square dance. After the square dance they broke into groups of four to go do some "rodeo centers". The first one for Hannah's group was " calf roping with hoola hoops ". Then they went to the " shoot out center ". Next was the " make a picture frame, and sit on a horse " center. The last one they got to race on their stick horses, then they tried a three legged race. I think they all had fun. We ended the day with a hot dog barbecue. Jackson had fun checking out the classroom and watching all the kids.

HOWDY PARTNER

GRAND ENTRANCE

SHOOT OUT

CALF HOOPING

SQUARE DANCIN'

MY LITTLE COWGIRL

Dirty Happy People

For some reason the song that says " shiny happy people" was in my head this morning and it made me think of my kids. They are most content and happy when they are dirty! My kids love to play in the dirt, or sand, or on special occasions, mud. Hannah likes to roll in the dirt and take a dirt bath like the chickens. She recently did this at my parents house while wet and in her swim suit. Sadly, I don't have pictures of that adventure.
Currently Clint and I are in a debate about putting a sand box in the back yard. I want one, he does not.... I hope I win :)

"Best Birthday Ever!"

Hannah's actual birthday is on Wednesday, but we celebrated with all of her friends on Saturday since this week is spring break.
She had been asking for quite some time to have a roller skating party, so that is what we did. Hannah and several of her friends tried their best to roller skate. Some did better than others, but I do believe fun was had by all (except maybe one girl). One little friend fell 3 times and said "no more, I'm done". She watched from the side until time for cake. Hannah skated circles around the place and had a blast! We will celebrate with family in Durant on her "real birthday day".

On a side note, she wanted a 101 Dalmatians birthday party. That was a little hard to pull off since Disney is not promoting that movie right now, but I did my best and it turned out fine.

Sewing project

I am teaching myself how to sew. I started with a very simple skirt pattern and made a skirt for Hannah. Most of it went well, the only problem I am still working on is getting the correct tension with my thread. I gave up with the kids pulling on things and trying to steal anything sharp. The seams are "good enough" and since the fabric is dark you can't see them that well.
A note on the picture.... Hannah refuses to wear anything on her waist. She insists on pulling all her pant, skirts, and shorts up as high as she can. That is why the skirt looks a little off in the picture.

Four by Four

Well, it seems I was tagged for a Four by Four by my friend Beth.
Four questions with Four answers each. Since I have dropped out of the bogging world for a bit, maybe this will help get me going again.

1. Four places I go:
- GEM Express pre-school
- Target
-Watermark Church
-Durant

2. Four favorite smells
- Fresh baked anything
- Clean kids
- Coffee
- The ocean

3. Four favorite Movies/Shows
- Grey's Anatomy
- The Nate Show
- White Christmas
- The Today Show

4. Four Recommendations
- Go see as many of our nation's national parks as you can. They really are spectacular!
- If your grandparents are sill living take time to really sit and listen to their stories. They have a lot to tell.
-Try baking your own bread, it is yummy!
- Take time to read your Bible and see what God is trying to teach you at that moment.

Christmas Cookies

Hannah and I tried a few new cookie recipes to give as gifts this year. I am glad we did a trial batch, because they turned out ok, but they were not my favorite. We still had fun making them.