Spring Break in Pictures (and some words)

The kids looking for things in the mud. They found some water bugs, frogs, crawdads and a salamander.

Bryson loves to search for creatures.

Addie searching with her net!

It got warm on Saturday, so Jackson and Addie took off their shirts. Jack didn't really want me to take his picture, but I did anyway!

Addison getting her feet wet in the pond.

Jackson climbing the side of the road.

Cousins~ Jackson, Bryson, Addison, Charlie, Grace and Kaelyn

Our trusty hike guide!

The boys on the hike. We made them walk at the end because of all the sticks they were swinging around.

Grace~ She had fun playing outside with the kids. She was a very good sport this week.

The kids at the creek. This is the spot we swim in during the summer. We LOVE to swim in the creek!

Addison on the hike.

Another picture taken during our hike. I can't believe that Bryson is almost as big as I am!

There are trails at my grandparents' house. Each trail is named after one of the great-grandchildren. My grandmother has painted signs that were hung at the beginning and end of each trail. Our goal on our hike was to take a picture of all the kids by their sign. We walked about 1.5-2 miles trying to make it to all the signs. I am proud to say the kids made it without much complaint. They were "rescued" right after we took the last picture when Amanda, Charles and Uncle Terry showed up with the four-wheelers. Drew and I got to finish the last mile or so by ourselves in total silence! That was the BEST part of the hike! :0)

Addie had a good time fishing. We were using a salamander lurer. We never even got a bite. Each time she reeled it in she would say, "Hey, I keep getting the same thing." Then she said, "We should name him." I think we settled on Sam the Salamander. Sam never did catch us a fish!

Wednesday we roasted hot dogs by the fire. Drew set us up so we wouldn't have to stand there and hold the sticks. If you know Drew, you know how he likes to makes things as easy as possible!

Amanda and Charles. We had a good time hanging out with them. We don't get to see them very often.

Addie!

Grandmother and Granddad relaxing out by the fire.

Friday evening we loaded up and headed up to my favorite place~ The Pond. I just love being up there. I have been going there since I was a little girl. It just feels like home and my kids love it, too. Drew would live up there if he could.

We just do whatever we want when we are there. We sleep as late as possible. Eat whenever we want. Stay outside as much as we can. I enjoy running up there, also. I ran three days while we were gone. I love running on the country roads. The runs are always challenging because of all the hills and the dirt roads that lead to the paved roads, but I just feel such peace when I run there.

Amanda and her family got there on Sunday evening. They also brought Grace, Amanda and Charles' niece, with them. Their son, Charlie, is the same age and Jackson and their daughter, Kaelyn, is about a year and a half older than Addison. Grace is a year younger than Bryson. The kids had so much fun playing outside together.

Monday it was cold and rainy, but the other days were just beautiful. We stayed outside most of the day and even got a little color from the sun!

We just spent five days playing outside and relaxing as much as possible. We hiked, fished, played cards, ate, road four-wheelers and talked. You can't have a better Spring Break than that!

We came home today and hope to get a few things done around the house before we have to go back to work on Monday. We have 10 more Mondays left before school is out for SUMMER! I love my job, but I also love getting to spend the summer with my family. Only 73 more days until Summer 2011!!!