Guadalupe State Park with friends...

We had a busy weekend! Fun in the sun times 10. The day started out with a trip to Guadalupe State Park, then on to Boodawgs for dinner, and a night cap at Six Flags. The kids were exhausted for Sunday and Monday STRAIGHT! Lovin' the perfect weather, that's for sure!

The Capener's hung out with us for the day. Made it fun for the kids, some good adult conversation, and the easy escape for me to go to a movie rather than Six Flags...hehe.

Madelyn, Kyle, and Jace

 Three of the boys...Marcus, Brian, and Kyle

 The river is higher this year...mostly knee height and some places waist high. But definitely not high enough for jumping off the rock. We were all yelling, "NOOOOOO!!!" phew - close call. 

 Seriously, I have the cutest kids in the entire world...this little turkey is a close second to mine. Charlie is a ham...so cute!!

 The group

 I hope this isn't an indication of what Brian will become....he looks like he's sittin' outside his double wide with a cold one. Please NO!!!!

 Cody and Brian are such good friends. They play so well together. I'm so glad they live a hop skip and a jump away...

 Ahhh, Marcus. What a good kid.

The river will definitely be a staple over the summer. A few snacks, cold drinks, a little music and we are good to go for a few hours. The more friends the merrier, too!!!

I TURNED 34

It's just really weird that I'm old enough to be THIRTY-FOUR!!! But I am.

Got some great gifts to help ease the pain...Some new clothes, shoes, jewelry, flowers from my visiting teachers, etc, etc. And two REALLY BIG gifts......

 Brent got me a new Sony NEX-5N Digital camera. I've been wanting a really really nice camera for awhile but just didn't want to splurge. So we've settled with little point and shoots for the last few years, which as been great...Until I got this one. The picture quality is AWESOME!! Which you will see in my next post with our camping pics.

 Lunch with my kiddos before I fly out for my SECOND big gift...

 A WEEKEND IN PHOENIX with Debbie! We had a lot of fun...starting with the valley girl pose she taught me.

 Dinners and lunches to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, and Chipotle. Shopping all day Saturday, and a couple of movies too. We saw Hunger Games again, and Lockout. Both GOOD!

 Last Chance is ridiculous!! It's a Nordstrom store that gets all Nordstrom returns - some new some used. And people line up at the GATE way before it opens. I didn't really have anything specific in mind so I was lost going in. Debbie got a Diaper Bag(can't remember the brand)-she bought it for $35 and sold it on Ebay for $140. Hullllooo!!!!!

 And we had the greatest time when Erika and Angela came up to Phoenix from Yuma. A little more shopping and conversation galore at Chipotle. I'm sure everyone around us thought we were kukku...nope!!! Just girls that hadn't seen each other for a year! Now I'm ready for Angela to come back and visit her sister, Erika to come visit her bro-in-law, and Debbie to come check out the general splendor...haha!! Anyone...COME VISIT!!!!!!

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

FIRST CAMPING TRIP...LIKE, EVER!!!

We went camping a couple weekends ago for the first time in like 12 years. Seriously, I don't remember the last time I slept in a tent. I literally spent the entire day getting ready for the trip and it was an overnighter....kind of pathetic, I think. But we had such a great time. Looking forward to the next time. I didn't even mind sleeping on the hard ground. I will, however, remember PILLOWS next time. Ay ay ay!!!

We set up the kids in one "room" of the tent and us in the other.

 This is Carson...he's a Clark and such a good kid. We'll take any of the Clark kids any day of the week.

 A new feature I'm learning on my new camera - panorama. And isn't our camping site beautiful!!

 Devon was so cold and begging for a towel and all I could think about was getting a picture and figuring out the camera. So sorry, Devon...but look how good this pic turned out.

 I'm totally okay with Marcus marrying Sydney(below) or Whitney. I'm just sayin'.

 Another great shot of our site. I mean, it was beautiful, right on the lake, with trees to shade us, a great fire pit, and toilets and running water just a hop skip and a jump away.

 Sandi working hard, as usual. Pumping up that air mattress.

 Nothing like a campfire.

That's Whitney...they other that I'm not opposed to Marcus marrying...lol

That's Cabe...Sandi's hubby.

 S'more anyone! They were good. I tried a new concoction...roasted marshmallow with Reece's Peanut Butter Cups. It was only okay. But we decided each time we need to try with a different "candy bar" just to see....

 The rope swing right off our site.

 Dirty??? What??

 Just trying the different settings. I've never seen such a beautiful thistle. lol

 Thanks Cabe and Sandi for letting us join you in your fun camping trip. We're game for another!!

Brent chillin' on the rocks...

 Saturday we ventured down the river a bit and had yet more great fun. 

 That's Brent jumping off the rope swing into water that went about to his waist.

Super fun! Good times!! Loved it all! Looking forward to the next time.

EASTER 2012

Easter was eventful this year. We had quite a few egg hunts to attend. Well, three. But that's TWO more than I ever remember having growing up.

We started the Weekend with Leon Springs Easter Hunt...always a great event. They have the hunt for all ages, food booths, face painting, games, etc. Fun Fun.

 The Capener kids are staples in our kids' lives.

 Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Bushman for the Easter care package. The kids loved it!!! Yum yum, and fun fun!!

 Saturday night we hit Boodawgs, one of our favorite restaurants. This was an awkward moment. There was a live band(one man show) and his wife was a bit tipsy but having a great ol' time dancing with the kids. Good Times...

 It's not Easter Weekend without dying eggs. A family Favorite!!

 And, of course, the Easter Bunny comes. But the kids are pretty well informed that mom and dad buy the stuff for the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny needs our help and we can help. That's why they get things they can actually use like church clothes and art stuff.

 But before the Easter Bunny came, Madelyn made sure we all read the store of the First Easter. She was a great example reminding us to think about Jesus and his atonement, death, and resurrection. I am grateful for the knowledge that Christ lives.

 Ready....set...GO!!!!!!! Inside and out....

 This camera happy momma made sure we took a few pics on the way to church. And of course, the blue bonnets were still out in full bloom.

And the end of our Easter Celebration was spent breaking Cascarones(confetti filled eggs) over each others heads. Another crazy Texan tradition. But a fun one.

I love Easter. I love the spiritual meaning behind it and I love what nature is doing around the same time-spring is here!!