Camping near Garner

 

I guess we can’t really call it camping this year. The cabins at Garner were closed for renovations, so we stayed in a nearby place where we had a/c and very nice rooms. It was not “roughing it” at all. But we gathered with our friends, and as always, it was a blast.

We went on a mini-hike together. This is Griffin, scaling a tree.

The kids found a scorpion in it’s natural habitat: under a rock. I figured since it wasn’t invading my house, it deserved to live.

For some reason, Chuck had stayed behind. Here’s our little family…

Our beloved friends, the Jacksons.

Amy with Brady and Max.

The Thompsons, who decided to beat us all to having 5 kids.

My little photographer.

And his protégé. I have many one second videos from this time.

Chuck and some of the other dads built a rock wall in the Frio to enable a deeper swim area for the kids.

My ruggedly handsome man.

And one of our handsome boys…

The whole group of kids, celebrating Linden’s birthday.

Cassidy on the rope swing.

Charlie, like a ninja…

The nearby field provided hours of entertainment and games.

Although it wasn’t very deep, I was so excited that the Frio had water, given the big drought of 2011.

There was also a group of farm animals that the kids were allowed to pet anytime. SO fun!

 

For the group picture, I set up my camera, and then sat beside it (to guard) while everyone got ready for it.  As I was testing the remote, I got some interesting “outtakes”.

And our (big) group.  I look forward to this trip every year!

Our silly picture.

Chuck, just before he busted it on Charlie’s bike. haha!

Somehow most of the dads enjoyed the kids’ toys…

One night I gave the kids glow-in-the-dark bracelets. I then set up a long exposure as they played in a field, and this is what resulted:

This one looks like a fire-breathing dragon to me…

Sigh. Just looking through this group of photos makes me want to go back!  We are so blessed to have our friends!