For the first time in several years, we ventured out for a summer camping trip last weekend. Our annual fall camping trip each October is well documented here and here and here and here and here, but we have not had a summer camping trip in recent years. Several times throughout the spring, Luke had been asking when were going camping again. It seemed as if he couldn't wait until fall for another camping trip, and his persistence paid off! Angela invited some close family friends to join us (they have two boys), and we also invited one of Maddie's best friends so she'd have a girlfriend for the weekend.
We arrived at the campsite Friday afternoon as storm clouds were gathering in the skies. Shortly after getting camp set up the rain began to drizzle, lightly at first, but soon it started pouring. Kids were hungry (it's not easy cooking in the rain), parents were frustrated (okay, mostly Dad) and we started to get wet. We ended up running for cover into the car escaping thunder and lightening to finish cheeseburgers while shivering and deciding whether to stay or find refuge in a nearby hotel. The rain eventually stopped and we stayed. By Saturday morning the rain had cleared and the rest of the weekend was beautiful.
Enjoy a sampling of photos from the weekend below.
Luke and Dad relaxing in the hammock
Now Mom has a turn relaxing in the hammock
Luke sleeps in the hammock... okay he's faking
His giggles give him away
Water is always big part of our camping weekends (preferably not rain) and the creek at this campground is always a source of much fun and recreation. Wading in the creek is always fun, not to mention tossing rocks or swinging at the "Tarzan hole". This year Mom bought some cheap inflatable tubes that proved to be a big hit for floating down the creek. And a fishing excursion resulted in Maddie catching her second fish ever (which she named "Bugger" because it had nibbled away several of her worms before she finally caught it. And yes... she released it back into the creek. See the video clip). Luke had a brand new fishing pole to try on this trip, but he had no interest in fishing... maybe next year? Anyway, see some photos of fun in the water below.
Luke finds interesting rocks in the creek
Dad and the kids work on the "dam"
Maddie and Madeline pose in the creek
Luke splashes in the current
Maddie swings at the "Tarzan hole"
Dad starts Luke on a float down the creek
Luke enjoys floating down the creek
Hoping to catch a big one
Away from the water, there's always still plenty of fun with friends and family.
Big kids on a tree
Maddie observes some insects (or other critters)
Maddie's (and Luke's?) best friend gets lots of love!
The girls find (they say rescue) snails and slugs around the campsite
Last weekend we ventured to Tonto Natural Bridge to enjoy this beautiful wonder of nature. It had been about 5 years since we've been there, when Maddie was about 5 1/2 years old. Luke had never visited and he was excited since we had been talking about "hiking through a huge cave" for several weeks.
We arrived at the park around noon and encountered a long line of cars waiting to enter the park. Since we brought a picnic lunch, we used the time while we were waiting in line to eat our lunch - not exactly a picnic but it was efficient.
Once we entered the park (after about a 40 minute wait) we quickly donned our hiking gear and started the trek through the river bed. There are lots of huge rocks and much of the "hike" was climbing over and around car-size boulders. There were several places that Luke needed a lift from Dad, but for the most part he did surprisingly well. Maddie jumped and bounded from rock-to-rock needing almost no assistance. Some fellow hikers warned us of a rattle snake along the way, but we (thankfully) never encountered it.
We finally reached the bridge and hiked under/through to the other side. After that, a long hike up a steep mountain (several switch backs) brought us back to the parking lot and picnic areas. The kids (and parents) were exhausted but I think also proud of their accomplishment. It was a really fun day and one that I'm sure will have lasting memories.
Kids and Dad rest in a small cave along the river's edge
The opening beneath the bridge can be seen in the distance
Maddie approaches the opening beneath the bridge
Starting to pass under the massive bridge (notice hikers on far side path)
Luke finds a path across a slippery rock (with support from Dad)
Maddie examines roof of bridge while she waits for Dad and Luke (squeezing through rock in the background)
Luke and Maddie under the bridge!
Having passed through the bridge, we take a shot looking back the way we hiked
This past week Luke completed another fantastic year of school. He had an amazing year and there was major progress in all of his academic and social skills. He really enjoyed learning and playing with his teacher and classmates. Mrs. Melissa (Luke's teacher) sent home this nice letter on the last day of school.
We enjoyed a completion ceremony that included lots of singing and of course, walking across the stage to get a completion certificate! Luke will return to this school for one more year next year before starting kindergarten the following year. We couldn't be more proud of Luke!
Luke walks on stage to accept his completion certificate
After the ceremony, Luke gets one last hug from his teacher
I did it!
The video from the ceremony isn't too good because Luke was in the back. There are a few moments during some songs when you can catch a glimpse of him if you watch closely.
Luke achieved a significant milestone today when he completed Level 5 swim instruction. He now moves onto Level 6!
Luke started swim lessons when he was 2 and at that time his lessons required a parent (Dad) to be in the water with him for the lesson. That honestly seems like just a few months ago. Almost 3 years later he has progressed through each level, gaining more skills and greater confidence in the water. He really loves his lessons and looks forward to them each week. We're so proud of his accomplishment and his outstanding swimming abilities. As you can see (maybe) in this photo, Luke is proud too!
Luke poses with his Level 5 completion certificate
Posting this in record time... the recital was today!
This year's performance was a duet. Maddie's partner was another 4th grader, but they hadn't met until they started practicing together several weeks ago. In fact, they only practiced together two times (but of course practiced lots with their teachers).
The song is "Waltz" by Johann Strauss. You may recognize it... enjoy!
We spent an awesome week in Florida in mid March visiting Mimi and seeing several of the many tourist attractions in the area. The kids loved staying in Mimi's condo and looking for the gator in the condo's pond (we saw the gator in the water, but it didn't come out onto the shore!). The weather was awesome and we had a great time.
Mimi can't get enough of this boy!
Or this girl!
Gator sighting in the wild (not in Mimi's condo pond)
Manatee sighting in the wild (also not in Mimi's condo pond)
Kids (and Dad) playing at park near Mimi's condo
Sharing a swing
Enjoying some time at Mimi's condo pool
3 generations on a bench
We spent our first day in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center. What a great day it was. There was so much to see and do, and plenty to keep everyone interested. We learned lots of interesting historical facts and heard about the future of the space program's missions and exploration... even the future mission to Mars. Sign us up (um, not really).
A day at the Kennedy Space Center
Paper rockets (that look like pencils) were fun to build and launch
Commander Luke and Captain Maddie pilot the shuttle
Posing with Shuttle Atlantis
Kids enter the space station
Luke tries (not really) the space station toilet (really)
Maddie and astronaut Luke
Astronaut family (mom's on the far right, behind dark face mask)!
What visit to central Florida would be complete without a visit to Disney World? We spent one day at the Magic Kingdom, and one day at Disney Wild Animal Park. Of course we had tons of fun!
We arrive at Animal Kingdom
Waiting in the theater for A Bug's Life in 3D
Dad and Luke roll a giant dung ball... Maddie, not so much
Luke plays some African drums
Lions...
...and elephants on the safari
Mom and Maddie are wet after the river ride
Large (and I mean large) bats
Luke buries himself in the dinosaur bone pit
Maddie and Dad survive Expedition Everest roller coaster
We start our day at Magic Kingdom riding Dumbo
Waiting in line for Thunder Mountain Railroad
Sitting on Dad is better than standing when waiting in lines
Someone steals Dad's hat
Long lines make a perfect time to read
Luke and Dad race to the finish
This photo makes me dizzy... tea cups photo courtesy of Mom
The day is ending, let's go home
One last photo with a new sourvenior as night falls on Disney
As a new year begins, we reflect on the past year and all of the blessings, joys and good times that we shared with friends, family and each other. Enjoy the Woods family 2014 year in review, in 3 minutes 22 seconds.
