Labor Day Weekend

Over labor day weekend we took the family over to Greenleaf State Park.  It was the first time we took the kids camping. 

Here was our home for the weekend.  We had a great little spot right on the lake.  The boys had a BLAST! 

The twins....well....not so much.  They were a off their schedule and did not appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.  Instead they (Maya) screamed every time a fly got near her.  She hated all bugs and anything that resembled a bug....even grass clippings.  The poor baby got stung by a bee, which just proves to her that she should fear all bugs.  She kept asking to go home and wanted to watch Care Bears. 

Ely took the boys fishing several times a day.  They caught lots of little fish but nothing worth keeping to cook for dinner.

Gavin keeps asking when we're going back.  He absolutely belongs outside. 

There is just something about a fire that hypnotizes you.

Even the most wild children.

Zander fishing off the docks.

Camille being extra "cheesy"

Ok.  For those of you who can't tell the twins apart.  Maya's the one who did not like camping.

Gavin caught his first fish....but I wasn't there to witness =(

I spent most of my days at the playground with these two.

It was definitely a lot of work camping with four young children (esp 2 girly girls!) but we can't wait to go back.  Hopefully this spring the girls will be a little older and more easy going.....one can dream right? 

Freaking Out!

Ok ladies.  I am seriously freaking out. 

Let me back up a bit.

Remember the new year's resolutions I set earlier this year?  If not, you can read here, in the Year of Dana.  One of them was to go on a vacation with my sisters.  No kids.  No husbands.  Well, that's happening next week....and I'm totally excited. 

We're going to Eureka Springs for 4 days.  Spa, wine tasting, spelunking, and shopping.  I can't wait. 

A few days ago I called the wonderful Suchness Spa and spoke to the owner, Caterena.  I told her I was a busy mother of 4 young children and wanted the ultimate spa experience.  She suggested the Ocean Essence Cocoon with chakra work and a massage.  Sounds amazing. 

 Why am I freaking out?

At the end of our conversation I say, "Thank you Catarena for all your help.  Is there anything I should do or avoid before coming in?" 

"I'm so glad you asked," she replied.  "No alcohol and no coffee before you come in." 

Fine.  No problem, but better schedule on first day of vacation!  hee, hee.

Then she asked, "Do you go to the spa a lot?" 

Ummmm.  No.  I have 4 kids.

"Well, you're more than welcome to wear a bikini if you are uncomfortable in the nude....a g-string and topless would be best." 

Ahhhhh!  What?!  I don't even own a bikini!! 

And as for the g-strings....well, they have been replaced by boy short panties. 

Look at the belly....and those stretch marks!  I'm very blessed to have 4 healthy beautiful children, but man did they do a number on my body.  And nursing 4 kids....lets just say I won't be posing for Sports Illistrated anytime soon. 

I thought this whole "body image" issue was long gone with my 20's.  I guess sitting naked in front of stangers will bring it all up again.  *sigh* 

Most of you are probably thinking, "Oh whah.  You get to go to a spa and be pampered." 

Seriously, this is HUGE for me.  Taking time away from my family and the money.  I feel guilty.  Hey, that's what I'm working on right?  This is, after all, The Year of Dana! 

Great Salt Plains

This picture isn't of snow or water but SALT covering the earth!

"Great Salt Plains State Park is your gateway to one of Oklahoma's most fascinating natural wonders. The Salt Plains are literally a sea of salt. They offer selenite crystal digging in season and outstanding bird watching all year long. Great Salt Plains Lake is located at the park and covers 8,690 surface acres with 41 miles of shoreline and is a shallow, salty lake -- about 1/3 to 1/2 as salty as the ocean -- with fishing opportunities for catfish, saugeye, sandbass and hybrid striper." 

Pretty cool, huh?  That's where my family, father, sisters and family all went a couple of weeks ago for a weekend getaway.  How have I lived in OK for most of my life and never heard of this place?!  It was so much fun getting dirty and digging for crystals!  We found a TON and can't wait to make some jewelry out of  my little treasures. 

Here are a few pics from the weekend.  I left my camera at home (boo!) but my sister got some good shots. 

Our little gang of hoodlums.  As you can see in the background the salt plains was more like the great muddy plains when we went.  It rained the entire day before and all through the night.  It made for easy digging!

My nephew Jace burring Gavin in mud...it's vacation right?  Why not. 

All the guys went fishing.  Zander was the only one to catch anything!  He was sooo proud!

While the guys went fishing we put the 3 babies down for a nap...they were exhausted from all the digging....my beautiful sisters and I had some bonding time.  We explored around the cabin and enjoyed nature. 

Played a little jenga and had cocktails (and I won, of course)!

And climbed trees.  Yes, we were sore the next day! 

Hannah with BoBo (aka Samuel)

It was a great place for a family vacation.  The cabins were small but very nice.  They had full kitchens with dishes and cookware, grill and fire pit outside, and heating and air conditioning.  They also provided lots of towels and extra sheets, pillows and blankets.  Only $60-75 a night!  2 thumbs up! 

Road Trip

Last weekend we went to Mt Vernon, TX to visit some friends. We took the long way home through the Ouchita Mountains. It was absolutely beautiful. A four hour trip turned into an eight hour trip. Eight hours in a van with 4 small children...just for the fun of it....yeah, maybe not our smartest decision. But honestly, they did pretty good, all things considered.

We made LOTS of stops at rest areas.

I love this picture of Maya.

After the trip through the mountains we stopped in Krebs, OK to eat at the famous Pete's Place and Choc Beer Brewery. Thankfully, it was family style italian dinning (we had our own private room!) because we were quickly reminded why we don't eat out very often with all four kids.

Back from the Ozarks

Wednesday morning our family went to St Joe, AR in the Ozark mountains and stayed in a log cabin for three nights. For the most part it was a great getaway. The day before we left I took Zander to the doctor, he has bronchitis and an ear infection. While we were there Ely burned his hand (ask him…I’m on strict orders not to retell his embarrassing story! LOL!) Gavin ran a fever, and I got sick too. I lost my voice…I think Ely actually enjoyed the quiet ride home. Other than that we had a GREAT time. We fell in love with the Ozark mountains. Arkansas is so beautiful. Maybe one day we’ll live there :)

Vacation Countdown

Ely’s off for the next eight days (god help me…jk). Today we took the kids to the zoo, had a great time. I can’t believe it’s still hot in October.

I sold some of the boys toys on craigslist today. Then we took the kids to Toys R Us and bought them a HUGE bucket of legos with their toy money. It’s like Christmas Eve in our house…they can’t wait for morning to play with their blocks!

Wednesday we finally leave for our vacation! Zander is so excited to go fishing for the first time. I told Gavin we were going to a cabin in the woods and he said, “Wolves!?”