Camping 2014

I survived three days of camping.  While I have been camping as a kid, the last time I camped was with some friends in Midland just before Alan and I moved to Fort Worth for the first time.  I did not enjoy roughing it.  It was July and I managed to freeze in the mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico during the night time.  I was miserable!  I had to buy some Indian blankets the next day in town just to stay warm at night.  I love the outdoors but roughing it, is not fun to me.

A year ago I was with my High School choir in New York City.  I really thought I had the better end of the deal while my family went with my in-laws camping.  My kids told me how much fun they had and that I needed to go with them next time.  Well, I tried to think of ways NOT to go this year.  I was hoping rehearsals for Peach Festival would interfere with the camping trip.  It did not!  I finally gave in because my kids assured me that Nana and Papa's camper has an air conditioner, which is really important to me ever since I had chemo.  I am almost always hot now.

I actually not only survived, but actually enjoyed it.  We went hiking through the hills of Llano State Park, swimming and tubing down the Llano River.  We enjoyed a lot of great food such as hamburgers, steaks, hot dogs and of course S'mores.  We saw some of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen in the wild. We saw deer at our camp sight and on our hikes and I even stumbled on an armadillo on one walk back to camp. On one hike, we came across small lake, green grass and tall shade trees....just beautiful and Peaceful.  I even sat down on the grass and took it all in.  We gazed up at the stars at night and sat around the camp fire.  My Mother In Law even suggested that we may need to make this a yearly tradition..............I did not cringe when she said that.

Anna helping setting up the camper

Andrew helping leveling the camper

Had to celebrate the Spurs!!!

On our hike up a big hill!

On top of the hill

Anna and I beat Alan and Andrew....how did that happen?

Anna recording what she is experiencing and seeing in the State Park journal for others to see.

Bird Blind

The hill we were on

The Bird area

There were many opportunities to talk about God and His creation during our hikes and I did!

We played Yahtzee and Clue.

Buck Lake

More of Buck Lake

Camp Sight

Where we started tubing or where we swim

The fall was fun!

 

While I was a little apprehensive about camping I have to say that I am willing to try it again.  I am thinking the beach, since it is my favorite place to be.  More importantly, we made more memories and spent quality time as a family.  

Summer Fun

Wow!  We have been out of school less than two weeks and have done more together as a family than we have the past two summers.  Two years ago, I spent most of my summer in bed, my bedroom or at the cancer clinic.  Hard to have family time when you are under going chemo. Last year, we were busy preparing to move South.  So again, hard to have FUN with the family when packing up a house and NOT looking forward to leaving a place we have grown to love.  Most of the time I spent preparing Andrew and Anna for public school and the mindset to have.

We started summer with a trip to the beach, Alan has grilled several meals and we have eaten outside in our beautiful backyard and yes, the cows are still around. The kids have been swimming, we have gone to a couple of "Spurs" watch parties, and we have had dinner and a movie night as a family.  We spend a lot of time as a family when we go to church in San Antonio.  We have even had a "few" stay in our pajama days and just rest as a family.  We have gotten out old board games that were mine as a kid and played.  Our new family favorite is "Clue."  We have baked cookies, cakes and tried out new recipes.  Today, we are going to make ice cream.

We have many, many more events planned for the summer.  Some big and some small.  Most importantly, we are making memories that will last.

Swimming before the Spurs game at some friends house in Kenedy

I saw Andrew pushing Anna.......I thought it was so sweet.

Summer Vacation Begins

Today we headed to Mustang Island beach to kick off our summer vacation.  It is about two hours away.  I personally think the beach is great therapy.  What is better than sand, water, sun and the smell of the ocean breeze?  The seaweed was really deep today.  I have never seen a beach covered in seaweed like today.  However, that did not stop us from getting in the water and enjoying the beautiful day.  We had a picnic lunch and then got in the water or played in the sand.  Anna got to fly her kite and Andrew built a sand castle.  I love to watch the excitement and laughter on each of their faces when they play in the water and get knocked over by the waves.

 

See all the seaweed?

I am sure we will pay several visits to the beach this summer.  It is one of my favorite places to be at. We live close enough to go.

Last Day of School

Yesterday was the last day of school for the students and today was Alan's and my last day of school.  It has been a great year for Alan and for the rest of us it has been a year of transition and adjusting.  Andrew and Anna have learned that families like ours are very rare at their new school.  They have both been shocked by many things.  They have shined their lights the best they can at school.  One of Anna's teacher's told me that some kid said some outrageous thing out loud in class, and Anna's eyes got real big and had the expression on her face of "I can't believe I just heard that!"  She giggled and said, "I know Anna!"

I asked Andrew and Anna what their favorite thing was about this year.

Andrew: Music, PE, Recess, Lunch, Field Trip, Field Day and Just the Facts Celebration.

Anna:  Music, Reading, Recess, Science, Lunch, Field Trip, Field Day, AR Field Trip.

Abigail: Getting to teach my own children my love and passion of Music, getting many opportunities to have lunch with Andrew and Anna and opening the eyes of many students to the world of music.

Alan: Getting to do what he wanted to do as far as Athletics and Administration.

Next year I will not get to teach Anna.  I will move to the High School and Middle School and will only be at the Elementary for fourth and fifth grade.  I will miss teaching Anna but look forward to getting back to the age group I prefer.

Andrew and Ms. Manka

Kastyn and Anna

Anna's class

Anna and Ms. Martinez

Anna's two friends Janelle and Aubri.  Both are moving and will not be back next year.

Last Day of Fifth Grade and Second Grade



Awards Day!

Today we had the end of year awards.  Andrew and Anna did a great job in their first year of public school this past year.

Anna is one of eight students in the second grade to get A honor roll.  She also received outstanding Citizenship, Just the Facts award and she was named the "Kindest" in second grade.

Anna with her friend Janelle

Proud Mom!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now Andrew!!!

He was also voted "Kindest," in fifth grade, Received Outstanding Citizenship and AB Honor Roll.

 

He would not let me take a picture of just him with his awards.........

 

We are wrapping this school year up and on Thursday I will no longer have two children in Elementary but only one as Andrew moves on to Middle School.  Time sure does go fast.