Trip to Ceta Canyon

This past Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the kids and I took a trip to visit my sister at Ceta Canyon. Chris was working most of Spring Break, so he did not get to come with us this time. We really missed him not being there.

We did lots and lots of fishing. Rachel had set a goal of 20 fish, but she only ended up with three. The weather had been real cold the week before, so we think the fish were all staying close to the bottom of the pond. Maybe she will have better luck next time.

We also took a hike to the waterfall. This involved some rock climbing. We had to pass Kate around between me and Dena, but we managed just fine. We had so much fun climbing on the rocks, getting wet in the waterfall, and getting really filthy in the process. It was such a neat experience that the kids and I will not forget. See slide show below.

We got to stay in the cabins this time. This is my type of camping. The kids loved the bunk beds! I am just thankful there were enough top bunks to go around!

Kate liked the bunk beds too. She did not hesitate to climb to get to the top bunks.

The kids loved playing with the basketballs. Rachel can almost make a basket. It won't be too much longer until she is tall enough. Kate looks like she knows what she is doing.

We saw lots of wildlife while we were there. We saw deer, turkeys, a porcupine, a skunk, two lizards, a bunny rabbit, fish, and a cardinal. Rachel remarked, "Is this like a zoo or something?"

This is the mouth of Rachel's Big Mouth Bass she caught.

The kids got their first taste of Church Camp food too. They actually really liked it. They had chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. They voted Dena's chicken fried steak better than mine. I am not really sure what to think about that. I have decided they are just kids. What do they know!

We had such a fun time!! Thank you Aunt Dena!!

Exploring Ceta Canyon

I was limited to the amount of pictures I could have in the photo show. It was really hard to narrow them down, but here are a few good ones. Click the little speaker on the photo show to hear the music.

Luke's Happy Dance

What would make Luke dance like that you ask?

Luke caught his first fish all by himself this past week on our trip to Ceta Canyon. More pictures coming soon from our SUPER fun Spring Break trip.

Caught Red Handed

From the title many of you have probably already guested this is a story about Luke. Today while Rachel was taking her swimming lesson Chris went and picked Luke up from school. When they got to the pool Luke had to go to the bathroom. Chris asked if he needed any help, but Luke said he did not. After Luke had been gone for about 5 minutes Chris went to look for him. Chris met him crying in the hall coming toward him. Chris looked down and Luke's hands were blood red. Chris asked if he cut himself, but Luke said no. Chris had him to show him where he had been. Luke took him to the bathroom. There was a trash can with a sign "Under Maintenance" in the middle of the door way. Apparently, the restroom was being painted and Luke found it. Chris cleaned his hands as best he could, but they are still red.

Isn't there a saying about red palms?

Luke's skin is usually as pastie white as mine.

The Happy Song

Last week our weather was beautiful with temperatures in the 80's and 90's. Well this week is a completely different story. Today the temp barely reached 40 degrees and then started falling around noon. We have had a light rain all day. The rain is expected to freeze over night. Tomorrow we are expecting more of the same. Only in West Texas! I hope it warms up for Spring Break next week.

Even if the weather is cold outside, Kate is happy to sing and dance inside. Her new favorite song is "If You Are Happy and You Know It". We got a video of her doing some of the hand motions. She usually puts her little fingers on her cheeks when you sing, "and your face will surely show it," but not this time. She did do a really great HURRAY at the end though.

Many of you know that getting toddlers to do what you want them to on video never goes quite the way you like, and you want them to perform perfectly so you try and try again. Here are a few of our outtakes.

Beautiful Sping-Like Afternoon

We had beautiful weather yesterday. The temp was around 80 with just a slight breeze. The kids played on their bikes in the driveway after we picked Rachel up from school.

This picture cracks me up. With the breeze in Kate's hair it looks like she is going really fast on her little bike.

I think Rachel has out grown her bike. She gets taller everyday!

Luke is always being funny...

While I was inside fixing dinner Kate found some sand to play in. The sand pile is on the side of the house behind the air conditioner. She had so much fun getting herself all dirty!

Let's just say dinner was delayed a few minutes so I could take a few pictures and give her a bath.

He Believes!!!

I have some thrilling news! On our way home from swimming today Luke said, "Even if you are really good you don't get to go to heaven." I said, "The only way you can go to heaven is if you believe Jesus died on the cross for you." He said, "I do." I said, "You believe Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins? He said, "Yes, I believe." His Daddy and I are so excited!!!

He has been talking about talking to God and praying here lately, so I think he is really starting to understand as much as a four year old can. When I asked him what he learned in Sunday School when I picked him up yesterday he just said, "I don't know." But I think something is sinking into his hard little head!