Pickwick Trip

Every summer since 2007 my parents have taken our family to the beach for a week-long trip of fun in the sun.  No, it’s not the summer, but we decided to take a mini vacay pre-beach trip.  We toyed back and forth about where to go and such, and ultimately came down with the lake.  I suggested Pickwick Lake since it was about 2 hours from all of our houses.  The original trip was scheduled for the first weekend of spring break, but that is when the dreaded StOmAcH bUg went through my house.  Therefore, we had to reschedule and this was THE WEEKEND….

 We got there late Friday afternoon and after about 15 solid minutes of running, screaming, and high pitched shrills (by the kids of course), we decided to take the boat for a spin.  Trey’s parents have a boat at Pickwick and we hadn't taken it out in two years.  She still purred like a kitten!  It was very hard for 5 kids to remain seated for more than thirty minutes, plus it was super chilly, so we headed back to the room to get ready for supper. 

 Gran and BoomPa

 My little family

 Saturday morning we all got up, and BoomPa had made a big breakfast.  After we filled our bellies we all got ready to go on a field trip.  We decided the kiddos needed to be OUTSIDE as much as possible.  When you have 5 kids ages almost 8 through almost 2 they have more energy than can be described.  The Battle of Shiloh was the place we chose and off we went.  And wouldn't you know that the weekend we decided to visit was the 152^nd anniversary of the battle.  Talk about timing.  I will be honest… history isn't my thing, but it was pretty interesting to see the different sites!

Molly Cate, Jack, Ford, Caroline, and Bitty

 Jack and my brother, Ken

 The park rangers said they had “junior ranger activity books” the kids could complete to earn a badge and certificate.  The oldest 3 took this as a very serious job!

 Being that it was an anniversary weekend, they had people there dressed to reenact the battle and even fire the cannon.

 Too loud for Mr. Sensitive Ears

As we were walking around the battle grounds we found a stump and ALL decided to pose on “the stump”.

Jack wasn't impressed with the stump idea.  Can you tell????

Again, no stump for Jack!

Aunt Ashley decided to wrestle the kids!

They picked weeds... oops, I mean flowers!

Ford stopped to water the flowers!

All the graves

We went for another boat ride!

The boys pulled the cooler for us.  Such good helpers.

It was time to go out to eat again...

I don't even look like myself with my hair down.  No worries, it went up 5 minutes later.

Sweet!

Bitty thought Gran would protect him from a bath!

Trey built us a bonfire.

Gotta break some sticks...

BoomPa was a party pooper and went back inside!

Ahhhhh Pickwick, I will be seeing you A LOT this summer!!!

What a great impromptu family trip to the lake.  We had lots of food, fun, squealing, crying, and memories that were made.  I can't wait until next time!!!!