Geocaching with Collin

Collin and I have been geocaching for about a year now.  Each trip is a unique adventure, and we never know what we will find.  This summer, we found a trackable geocoin on the Nix Creek Trail and took it to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, AR, helping it along its way across the United States.  It ultimately ended up in California.  Not all trips go smoothly though.  Last February, Collin was determined to find a cache that was placed in rugged terrain alongside Nix Creek.  The picture below shows his older brother Christian fishing him out of the creek.

Hush little babies, don't you cry
Merry-go-rounds and kites that fly
Little Boy Blue, blow your horn
God Bless the days that they were born

Mary had a little lamb
Or so the story goes
Three small children stuck at home
Stomping on my toes

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall
No time for me to sit
Wash the dishes, scrub the floor
Sometimes I just want to quit

Three blind mice and all that jazz
What's a mom to do
Dress them up, load the car
And take them to the zoo

One two, buckle their shoes
As they head off to school
The house is much too quiet now
As they learn the golden rules

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater
My how those boys eat
Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails
Frogs in their pockets and dirty feet

Hickory Dickory Dock
Can't we stop the clock
Slow time down, turn around
"Won't you hop in my lap and rock?"

Sing a song of sixpence
Enjoy them while you can
Before too long, you'll turn around
And they will be young men

Jack and Jill went up the hill
First loves and broken hearts
I dry my eyes and realize
That this is just the start

Hush now Mommy, don't you cry
Even though the time did fly
Leave them alone, they'll come home
By...and by...and by...

Our Campout

No greater love was ever born

Than on that starlit night

I took my small son’s hand in mine

As we stared into the sky…

After a full day spent in laughter and play

With adventure and learning as our quest

I tucked him in

Surrounded by friends

Each who had done his very best…

To surround each other cheerfully

As they helped and encouraged one another

In service, in duty, in exploring, and in fun

Sharing with those they call “brothers.”

Peabody Ducks

A Day in Little Rock with 8 year olds - Riverfront Park

At the Old State House

Little Rock, continued

Ice Skating! Yes, Gary Carter, the horizontal picture of Tonja is left out on purpose. I do thank you for the reminder, though, that ice skating is probably "not my thang."

A Day in Little Rock with 8 year olds

Fun at the Little Rock Zoo!

Geocaching with Collin

Two of My Guys - January Scout Campout

I hear that was some cold water!

UCA

We always enjoy our "UCA Weekends" and try to make as many of the home games as possible.

Ireland

Trey had an awesome opportunity to go to Ireland this summer (2008). He got six hours of college credit while having the time of his life.

New Mexico Ski Trip

This was a very fun trip. Trey, Collin, and I, with Liz, stayed in Santa Fe while Chuck, Christian, and Taylor, with the Boy Scouts, went to Philmont Scout Ranch to do a winter trek. They met us in Santa Fe for New Year's Eve. We had never seen so much snow. Trey learned to snowboard and Collin took skiing lessons. We took one day to go museuming. My favorite was the National Folklore Museum.