Family Camp 2008

About a week ago we returned from a great week at family camp.  We went with 50 other families from our church to Shepherd of the Ozarks (SOTO) in Arkansas.  I can't begin to explain what a blessing it was to meet and get to know these families.  

On our way there we stopped at a winery in Oklahoma.  It took us almost 11 hrs to get there because we left from OK.  Preston did amazingly well though.  Big thanks to all who let us borrow their toys and gadgets for the road trip!  

Route 66 Winery...J's already teaching Pres about the grapes.

I'll post this pic just b/c I think it's cute.  Preston is obsessed with straws, cups, and drinks.  The can is empty, but the addiction is already there...maybe because it started in utero?

Evan Bleecker, J and Preston at dinner.  The food was not your normal camp food.  It was delicious!!!

Preston during kid's worship time.  Obviously not sitting like the other children.  ;)

One of the days we went to the Blanchard Spring Caverns.  Preston is holding a rock, the only one they let you touch.  I don't have any good pics of the caverns...too dark for the camera, but it was beautiful.

Here's our little one having a meltdown inside the caverns.  And here's just a few reasons why he might be miserable:

* No touching of  ANYTHING.

*No talking.  (except when the tour lady is not).  rare.

*No food.

*No drinks.

*No getting down.  (because we didn't have a stroller, P had to be carried the entire time.)

*No exit.

So we might not be visiting there again for a while. ;)

One of my fav's:  swimming at the creek, or more like sitting at the creek.

Awww.

Riding the SOTO firetruck!

Milkshake, the pony.  Isn't he cute?

I guess P didn't think he was cute.  Double click on picture if you can.  It's worth it!

Our drive home didn't take near as long and we even stopped at this fantastic antique place!  It was the biggest I had ever been in.  My favorite was looking at the stained glass pieces from all over the world, dating back hundreds of years.  The sign doesn't lie...there were over 5000 pieces hanging from the rafters of each warehouse! 

And we're home.  Just FYI, get out a suitcase for your kids to play in!  It guarantees hours of entertainment!

Magic Kingdom

Pirate and Princess Party!

My Dad and Mary generously bought us all tickets to this party at the Magic Kingdom. There were only a couple thousand people there...compared to the 100,000 that the park holds it really felt like we had the place all to ourselves. We had great seats for everything and waited in line for nothing! The kids (and kids at heart) were all dressed up and searching for the hidden treasures! And Jason and I got to enjoy a very nice, quiet dinner on the patio while the others took care of Preston. Very fun!!!

WDW Characters

No captions for this slideshow. Shame on you if you don't know who these characters are! ;)

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Trip to San Francisco - Napa Valley

We just got back from a wonderful trip to California! We spent the first half of the trip in the beautiful wine country, Napa Valley. We were flown out there so Jason could officiate the wedding of our friend Jim McGuire to his beautiful bride Lita. There wasn't a single part to the wedding that wasn't just gorgeous. We felt so blessed to be a part of their special day. My mom also joined us. She helped in watching Preston while we were at all the wedding activities. Thanks Mom for coming! The wedding at the Harvest Inn. The vineyards were the backdrop.
Part of the reception area. This is where we ate dinner under the setting sun. Perfect weather!
J's new car.
Just kidding. He was driving it as a favor. There is an on-going theme though. For some reason every time we are in California he gets to drive awesome cars. Like last year he drove a brand new Ferrari. He didn't enjoy that at all!
Our table at the rehearsal dinner.
The Little man.
Eating at Taylor's Refresher...a cute little place with lots of picnic tables to enjoy the scenery.

Enjoying the vineyards!
A quick pic taken at Mustard's. (Another excellent restaurant in Napa Valley)

Picture taken at Sequoia Grove Winery under the hundred year old Sequoia Trees.

Beautiful vineyards. It's hard to describe just how pretty everything was.
The leaves are already starting to change colors.

And we actually got to wear sweaters and jackets. This is a new concept for us Texans.

oh yes! I can't make a trip to Cali without my fix of In-n-out burger.
First airplane ride!
Our convertible. You see The Bleeckers suggested that we get a convertible in Napa for our rental car because it's just perfect weather there. So instead of getting a convertible we rode around with the windows down and the door open! Same thing, right? ;)

Trip to San Francisco - city

After the wedding we headed to San Francisco and stayed in Pacifica, a little suburb just outside of S.F. and just fell in love with it. It's right on the Pacific coast. The view from our hotel room was breathtaking! It was hard to leave. Some of the highlights are pictured below but a few not pictured are eating at the Cliff House Restaurant. A beautiful rest. that sits right on the water - literally. You eat delicious seafood while gazing over the Pacific Ocean. A great thanks to the Bleeckers for that idea and many others. Also, we visited Tartine Bakery. A cute little bakery in the middle of a San Francisco neighborhood. You would miss it unless you're a local (or told to go there by my sweet friend Amanda). There's not even a sign on the outside, but it's famous! The owner was recently on the Martha Stewart show and I now know why. Every pastry we put in our mouth was delightful.

Sweet P!
Windy day...do you see Alcatraz in the background?
Bright eyes!
Famous Boudin bread...we brought a lot home!
Looking at the hundreds of sea lions at Pier 39.

Shopping in Chinatown.
Driving down Lombard St. The 'crookedest' street in S.F.
The 'Bush' man. This was hilarious...of course at the expense of other people. This guy would sit behind the bush and wait for people to walk by and then he would pop out from it and scare those passing by. Such a simple concept, but so darn funny! He draws a large crowd.

sand...gotta love it.
First time at the beach/ocean!

The family.
Mom, P, and I.
Preston
Daddy and P

Sunset view from our hotel room.
The boys!
Worn out!