Lake Texoma

I thought I'd never get around to Part 2 of our vacation. It's been a busy week around here. Between swimming and unpacking, which in itself took 3 days, and just being plain tired, I'm not in a summer routine yet. But here's a little about our week at Lake Texoma. (that's on the border of Texas and Oklahoma)

It was a great week. I really didn't want it to end. All of Jason's family made it and with the addition of Traci's family we had quite a party crowd. It was a relaxing-meaning no worries, responsibilities. Everyone did what they wanted-we ate when we were hungry and went to bed when we were tired. No rules, just fun. I think that's why I'm struggling now. I want to go back to that. It was too wonderful. Dishes, no I think I'll do them. . .tomorrow. Beds, we'll make them when we check out. My kids loved it.
I was a little nervous before we got there. Jason decided to give us a little safety talk warning us of scorpions, snakes, ticks and all these other bugs and animals I've never worried about before. Turned out the only thing we ran into was an armadillo. Phew!

We played all week. Jason rented a boat the first day and took people out on the lake to water ski. This was Kelsey's first time and she got up for a few seconds. I'm positive if we'd been water skiing in Alaska she'd have gotten the hang of it a little faster. Alaska lake water will freeze your little hiny if you stay in the water too long. Warm Texas lake water is hardly an incentive to get your body out of the lake. While they were water skiing the little kids either rode in the boat or played in the lake.

The second day Uncle Ryan took the kids fishing. Kelsey caught a bass much to the chagrin of Uncle Ryan. His fish is still somewhere waiting to be caught. Actually he spent a lot of his time helping the kids. Thanks Ryan.When the kids weren't playing in the lake or fishing they were kite flying, playing at the park, playing Sleeping Queens and Rat-a-Tat-Cat or roaming through the campground enjoying their freedom. If you were Jenna you were climbing trees, snacking and putting on lipstick.The 3rd day we visited relatives in Durant. We swam in their pool, some golfed and they fed us delicious banana pudding. It was good to reconnect with them.
There was also a lot of LATE NIGHTS. 11 pm, when the kids were finally in bed we got the cards out-Hand and Foot, Phase 10. There was also a game of Scrabble. I only mention it because on the first round I used all my letters. For the record that has NEVER happened to me before so I am basking in my glory, although I lost the game to Kelsey. Only that was because I couldn't concentrate after my amazing first round. (Just kidding)

The culminating event of the week was the talent show. Though I'd use the word talent loosely on some of the acts. We had some great dancing acts, a magic trick, a lot of people getting wet and a sweet song by grandma and grandpa. I absolutely love this picture. It captures 7-8 yr. old boys so well! Then it was time to say good-bye. I really wasn't ready for it to end even though we were all really tired and dirty. I think it was especially hard for Kate and Hayley. They were pretty much joined at the hip the entire week. I don't know how we manged to pull them apart. I wished we all lived a little closer instead of so spread out. We got the whole United States covered-North, South, East, West and Midwest. It was great to be together. We appreciate Grandpa and Grandma for making it happen and for bringing everything we needed and more. They thought of everything. I pretty much just brought the grandkids.Before going home we headed north to Jason's old stomping grounds. The last time I'd been here was 15 years ago on our honeymoon. He showed the kids where he grew up and visited close friends in Harrah and Choctaw. Every time I drive through this part of Oklahoma I am surprised how lush and green it is. It really is a beautiful place.

One more night at a hotel and then we stopped at the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial before heading home. Another 10 hours in the car. We weren't sure we were going to make it. Fortunately, a Redbox (McD's movie rental) saved us and that kept the kids occupied the last couple of hours until we drove into the driveway.