Our 2015 Big Trip: Camping in Kilgore

Our trip started with Grandpa's annual campout at the Steel Creek Campground in Kilgore.  James had to work that week and Annie was at Girl's Camp with Katherine, so it was just me, Stephen, Ellen, Naomi, Noah, and Spencer.  I got to hang out with my sisters and Beth and it was just wonderful!

Spencer was not so sure about being away from home at first, but he was quite happy to be camping! 

 

It was COLD this year.  The kids and I didn't get to the campout till Monday evening.  When we got here we found out that we had missed hail and snow and rain and more hail and more snow.  Dixie and Zach and Mom and Dad made room for all of us in their campers so we didn't have to set up out tents and sleep in the cold.  When we woke up in the morning there was ice on all the tables!  Brrr!  We wore our jackets almost all day that day. 

Hunting for frogs with Uncle Kerry.

 

 Naomi holding a little froggy.

Hannah and Naomi

 

Stephen is VERY loved by all the younger cousins.

 

 

Card games with Nana!!

 

The big people card game.  We had to pause the game while getting everyone put to bed.  But we picked it right back up around 10 or 11 in Dixie and Zach's camper.  I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!  So much fun!!!

 

Cousins!  Wearing awesome shirts from Beth.

 

My Sisters!!!

 

 

8 February 2015

Last Sunday James was released from the Bishopric.  He had been in for a little over three years.  He has now been called to be the Assistant Scout Master.  As I type this he is on his way to Georgia for work.  He'll be staying in Warner Robbins but will travel around the state a bit visiting sub-stations trying to figure out some problems they've been having with some meters.  He'll be home Thursday afternoon.

Yesterday Annie was set apart as the 1st councilor in the Beehive Presidency.  She is very excited about that.  The president's name is Heidi!

We signed Stephen up for driver's ed last week.  Yikes!!  This week we have to go get his permit.  Then the next week he starts the class time.  He is WAY excited!!

Naomi started swimming lessons last week, which she LOVES, and Noah started basketball.  February is just a crazy month for us.  I'm so glad it's the shortest month of the year!!

I read this quote from Ezra Taft Benson the other day.  “There is a power in the [Book of Mormon] which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (see D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.”  I realized that I haven't actually read the whole Book of Mormon in a very long time.  Probably since before Spencer was born.  I've been reading other scriptures and going by topic sometimes, but haven't read and studied from beginning to end.  So I'm going to read it again.  And study it too! I have noticed that when I do read a verse or two from the Book of Mormon that there is a different feeling than when I'm reading other scriptures.