Easter Weekend

Our family did something totally different for Easter this year.  We left town.  We took our trailer and went to Lake Ray Roberts, one of the state parks here in Texas.  We've been once before and really enjoyed it, so we decided to head up there once more since the kids were out of school on Friday.  We had a FANTASTIC weekend.  We didn't get there nearly as early as I had hoped.  Didn't get a spot right on the lake as I had hoped.  But we DID end up in a beautiful shady spot up on the hill, kind of off by itself.  In the end, I couldn't have been happier with our site!  We didn't hunt for Easter eggs, but rather, were sent out geocaching for information about egg laying animals.  That was a total first for us.  Following a compass and coordinates to find small hidden clues.  It turned out to be a lot of fun.  Clara totally loved it.  It was different being away for Easter.  To just wake up with my family on Easter morning and not be rushing out the door to church.  Not worrying about being dressed in our Easter finest...just shorts and t-shirts.  It was pouring rain this morning when we woke up. Which was a neat treat and made for a particularly cozy morning.  By the time breakfast was done and it was time to pack up, the rain had stopped and so we were dry while we packed it all in and got on the road.  Here are a few fun pictures from our weekend away! Enjoy!

Chris caught some fish out on the lake!

Cooper was VERY interested in those wiggly fish.

SO interested that he decided he'd just borrow one!

He's an opportunist.  If he sees the opportunity...he can't resist.  

Not sure what he thinks he's going to do with it.

But there he goes with our dinner!

He's very proud of himself and his "catch"!

Clara steps in to remove his prize.  Sorry Cooper!

She's not a fan of fish...but did well with this one!

In addition to retrieving fish from crazy dog jowls...she is an excellent cook!

One of the best things about camping is the lack of electronics....which often results in the miracle of READING by the teenagers!

Oscar and Max just chilling out and relaxing!

Chef Ben manning the grill to make sure we don't burn up his fish!

Indian Paintbrush wildflowers.  They were everywhere!

He's all worn out!

He's hungry!

ALWAYS hungry!

Found some time for some impromptu family photos.  All of these were shot in about 10 minutes!  Not bad really!

Cannot believe how big this girl of mine is getting.

I loved this rustic little enclosure the minute I came upon it during our last camping trip.  I knew I just had to haul my crew over there for a quick snapshot!  I love this one because even Cooper and Oscar are with us!

Goofballs!

My three stooges.

A rare picture of the two of us.  Ben did these.  I think he has talent!

18 years and going strong!

Ben's big catch of the weekend!

Clara is beyond thrilled to have her own bunk in the new trailer.  

Being silly by the campfire.

Ben showing off his farmer's tan.

Clara geocaching at the Easter egg hunt and leading the charge with the compass.  It was a first for us...but fun!

She was in charge of the technology.  We followed coordinates in order to "hunt" for information about egg layers.

Hoping she's found something...

And she DID find it!  First one of the day!

Clara and her daddy consulting of which direction we should head next.

Another great find!

And another!

Clara with her GeoCache find!

It's very serious business!  She's having a BLAST!

What the heck???!!!!!

ONLY IN TEXAS do they give kids a piece of laminated snake skin as their Easter egg hunt prize!  What the heck happened to chocolate and jellybeans???!!!  I think I am scarred for life after this one!