July 4th Family Vacation

Off we went! Back in December, my sisters and I discussed the possibility of going on a little vacation together with our families. We had originally planned to go to Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, FL or Gulf Shores, AL, but after looking at the costs associated with a 3 day weekend during prime season, it was determined we wouldn't go on vacation at all. :( I was a little disappointed, but completely understood since our finances also didn't allow for such a trip. My sisters and I have loved going to the Destin area for several years, but we grew up going to the lake every weekend. So I did a little research to see if I could find a value-friendly option that would still allow us to see each other (which was the ultimate point of the vacation). A little more than 7 hours away for us, and about 4 hours away from them, Arkadelphia, Arkansas suddenly came into focus. Right outside of Arkadelphia, there is a state park (DeGray Lake State Park) that has a lodge (think hotel) with very reasonable rates. So, after a little bit of planning, and some amount of driving, our families convened for a 4th of July getaway!

The accommodations were wonderful---beach with lake swimming access, swimming pool, restaurant on site, picnic tables galore (in the beach area), and nice hotel rooms (it even had a little niche where we could put the pack n' play where Micayla wouldn't completely see us in the room with her for naps/bedtime). One of the things we decided to do that would be fun was cook out breakfast every morning....we all love to camp out, and it allowed us to bring our own breakfast food and save a little bit of money along the way. So Emery brought his camp stove and we had a delicious breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausage, and bacon to start off the day. We also brought all of our lunch food too, and because Lisa and Emery have the older girls who aren't nap dependent, their room got labeled the "party room," but more aptly should have been named the "food room."

We also managed to squeeze in a few family pictures together, and I offered to take individual family pictures as well...those will be in a separate post. The park put on a great fireworks show the evening of the 4th, and Micayla offered a running commentary to anyone who was nearby (several) of each and every firework that went off (ooo...firework!, wow!, pretty, etc.). Thankfully no one tired of her commentary at all and all thought she was cute (cute does go a long way). We even had one woman stop us as we were walking to our "spot" to watch the fireworks that asked to take her picture because she was so cute. Have no idea who the lady was.

All in all we had a wonderful time and I'm so glad that we made a 3 day weekend a mini-vacation to see my family. I think there's talk of this becoming an annual tradition now, which is fine by me!



Micayla coming down the tunnel slide.


My nephew, Miles....is he not the cutest ever. :) I'm not a proud aunt at all.


Miles and his daddy, Justin.


Waiting on breakfast to be finished.


Lauren (age 5).


Emery cooking breakfast.


Hudson, Micayla, and Lauren taking a walk on the "beach."


Micayla and Hudson before swimming.


Playing on the bed before lunch was ready.


Kathryn, age 7.


Lauren and Kathryn on the playground.


Lauren


Kathryn


Hudson and Micayla playing on the playground.


Getting breakfast ready!


The girls ready for breakfast (despite the fact that it wasn't ready).


Micayla and Mommy! (BTW, this is called the "natural" look when you don't put on makeup and fix your hair because you are about to go swimming in the lake.)


Cute baby Miles! He's 9 months old here...his head is bigger than Micayla's and they probably weigh about the same...though she probably has an inch on him. But those eyes and that two-tooth grin....to die for!

More pictures to come on a separate post soon!