Huntsville State Park

We came back today from a super fun camping trip at Hunstville State Park. I've been there several times before, but this time was especially fun because friends came along. We got there early Thursday afternoon and left Saturday afternoon, and in between, we had a blast exploring the park, going to the Alligator show, canoeing, eating smores and relaxing and hanging out with friends and family. The only drawback to me was the very very cold night on Friday night I was slightly unprepared for. I actually wish we could have stayed one more day in the park. Anyway, we'll definitely go back. Princess had a blast, and got SO dirty. She turned her bathwater brown when we got back today. It came as no surprise though, because she wandered around without shoes on half the time, despite our best efforts to convince her otherwise. We actually thought she'd brought home a special friend, a tick, in her foot, but it turned out to just be a very large splinter. Baby Brother did as well as might be expected for a five month old, but I could see the happiness on his face when he knew we were back home. We needed some R&R, due to the fact that even though this was Spring Break for Coach, he got no break from me- he was a good sport to follow through on my extensive honey do list. We mulched and planted flowers and bushes in our yard, and we painted our hallways, family room, and part of our kitchen the first part of our week. So we were happy to go camping and get away. So the relaxation was had by all, and the rest, well, when you share your sleeping bag and camp cot with a bony four year old (not by choice) and have a crying cold and hungry infant who doesn't want to wait ten minutes for the bottle warmer to warm up his food at 3 in the morning, that's what you'd have for rest. :) But that was to be expected and in the end, we all had a great time. In Princess's words, it was the "greatest camping trip" she'd ever been on (nevermind it is the only one). So, here's a few highlights of the camping trip:


Here we are by the lake. Baby Brother needed some sunglasses or something, the sun was perpetually in his eyes.


One of the many activities Princess got very dirty doing- this was piling leaves, sticks and pine straw and jumping in them and then throwing them all over the place, especially on herself. Friends joined in.

Here he is, the mostly-happy-camper. I love this little wispy haired, blue eyed boy.

Here is Princess, petting the real live alligator baby, the only alligator we saw on the trip, at the Alligator show. In Princess's words, the little reptile "felt like plastic." She actually went through the line to pet it twice, just to be sure.

This was me and Julie Hepworth and our kids, rowing the canoe across the lake. Actually, if it had been up to me, our canoe would have stayed at the dock, with me rowing us in perfect circles. But thanks to Julie, we row row rowed our boat and after we were done, rowed our boat ashore. These little kid faces are priceless, pretty much what they were doing the whole time: Princess concerned, (she was excited to go, but one we were out, she asked more than once, "are we EVER going to get back to shore??" Well, Princess, thanks to Miss Julie, yes we are. Kaylee, happy to be there and eager for her chance to row; and Jayden, yelling like a T-Rex and putting his hand in the water (nevermind the ranger said the gators think our feet and hands look like fish) and making the canoe lean almost sideways.


It was so much fun! We need to go more often, and anyone and everyone is invited. :)