Tuesday, August 6, 2013

August 6

The kids slept until 8 o'clock this morning.  They  helped me get the breakfast sundae fixings on the table and dug in.

Our Proverbs Bible study was on relationships.  We had good discussions.  We were impressed with the depth of their faith and their understanding of scripture.  We liked what we heard from them.

We spent the rest of the morning at Topsey Exotic Ranch, always a lot of fun. Especially the time we spent with our friend the camel.

Mackensie chose Five Guys for hamburgers.  They liked the peanuts as much as the hamburgers.

Kyle chopped up a dead tree that had fallen during the night.  Daniel went fishing, and the other kids vegged in the den.  Good choice.  It was hot outside.

This evening the kids made their own pizzas.  They paired by twos to make their crusts.  What a variety of pizzas we had.  And they all looked yummy.

We watched the shark week shows again tonight.

I'll try to get pictures on here tomorrow.

Monday, August 5, 2013

August 5

We had breakfast burritos for breakfast.  We left the house at 10:15 for Belton and the Summer Fun Water Park.

We had a break at noon for a picnic lunch.  The kids stayed in the pool until about 4:00.

We had supper at Bush's chicken, a favorite with all.


























Sunday, August 4, 2013

August 4

      Up at 7.  Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then off to church.  Lonnie and Norma came just as the kids got out of Sunday school, so they got to visit for a few minutes.
      Misty chose Pizza Hut for lunch.  I always eat too much there, but so did everyone else.  Except Gracie.
      We had a slow and lazy afternoon watching Shark Week programs on TV,  playing monopoly, and napping a little too.
      About 4:30 the kids decided it was time to head for the pool.  They played in the water a little, ate some watermelon, and jumped back into the pool.  Back in the house, Mackensie, Gracie, Luke, and I played monopoly while the others watched TV.
      We had tacos for supper.  Gracie had a better appetite tonight.  After supper the kids headed right back to the TV and the Shark Week program.  They are fascinated by it, but took a few minuted during a commercial to make root beer floats.
      Raiford and I are going to bed now.  The kids are still wound up.







Saturday, August 3, 2013

August 3

      Grandad, Daniel, Luke, and Misty were up around 6 a.m. to go fishing.  Collectively they caught 10 fish, but the big one got away.
      Grandad got the fire ready and the kids got the doughnuts ready to fry.  While we waited for them to rise, we had our Bible time.  The topic from Proverbs was contentment.
      We got a late start with breakfast.  The doughnuts were yummy, and they went fast.  After we cleaned up our mess, we raised the flag and said the pledge of allegiance.
      Inside out of the heat, we had a hot card game going on, while Gracie and I watched the Cosby Show.
      Luke chose Dairy Queen for a late lunch.  We were a house divided.  Four had hamburgers, and four had chicken strips.  Daniel entertained us with his origamy while we waited for Gracie to finish her ice cream.  She gave up when she started having a brain freeze.
      Back at the house, the kids got on their swim suits and headed for the pool.  And then more card games.
      About 5 o'clock Daniel and Luke went fishing again.  Kyle and Misty worked on getting the printer working like Raiford wants it to.  ???
      Cards, dominoes, and Rummikub.  This is a competitive bunch.
      Grandad grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for supper.  We had s'mores too.  Yum.  While we were outside they played some word games I had never heard of.
      We cleaned up our mess, and then they were ready for their showers.  I hear them talking about playing Monopoly.  Do they know how long it takes to play a game of Monopoly?  And we have
to get up early tomorrow.  They all want to go to the early service at church.  We'll see.
      We enjoy having these kids around.  Thanks for letting us have them here this week.


















Friday, August 2, 2013

COUSINS CAMP 2013

COUSINS CAMP 2013

August 1

The grandchildren and their parents came this evening.  The parents stayed and had supper with us.  The grandkids got the air mattresses fixed for bedding down in the living room floor.  I don't know what time they finally got to sleep.  Raiford and I slept like rocks.


August 2





Luke was the first one up.  The others were slow getting started.  At Gracie's request we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

Grandad is doing the Bible time study from Proverbs.  This morning we looked at verses dealing with integrity.  Then the grandchildren were asked to tell what was most memorable about their summer.

A trek through the pastures was next on their agenda.  They came in hot and sweaty and ready for a swim.

Gracie chose Black Meg burgers for lunch.  They all agreed that they do indeed have the best burgers in town.

Then we were off to the Family Fun Center.  Grandad had given each grandchild a $10 roll of quarters to exchange for game tokens.  Believe me, $10 doesn't go very far in this place.  After they had used up their tokens, Grandad bought tickets for them to do the laser tag.  If we go back at some time in the future, I think they would probably prefer to do the laser tag twice instead of the games.

After a swim, Daniel and Luke went fishing while the rest of the kids played Rummikub.

Gracie and I made grilled cheese and pepperoni sandwiches for supper.  We added carrots and bell peppers to round out the meal.

And then came the main event, making homemade ice cream.  We enjoyed it while some watched Princess Bride and others played a game.

I think we're winding down now.  Raiford and the boys are going to get up early in the morning to go fishing.

That's all for Day One.  Signing off.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 -- Friday

The last day of cousins camp.  It was a lazy sort of day.  Horseshoes,  bean bag toss, swimming, and swinging in the hammock.
Nancy and David came about 10:30, so we had time for a good visit with them.  We had chicken spaghetti for lunch, and then more of the same -- just hanging out.  For supper we went to the local barbecue joint.
The Bullards had the Suburban loaded and were ready to go by 8:30, but they waited until Gary and Shannon arrived.  They had enough time for howdys and hugs before they took our grandsons and headed for Bluff Dale.
Gary and Shannon spent the night, so we had time for a good visit with them too.  After breakfast on Saturday, they loaded their Suburban with a mountain of girl stuff, took our granddaughters and headed for Bryan.
The house is now entirely too quiet.  We loved having the sound of kids in the house.  We loved their laughter.  Expected their pranks.  And were blessed by the way they interacted.  We are grateful for the time we can spend with them.
And we are thankful that their parents allow us to have this time with our grandchildren.  It is a priceless gift.


Thursday, July 26, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 -- Thursday

The kids slept late this morning.  We had another prankster last night.  When I started to make the chocolate chip pancakes this morning, I discovered that we had green milk.  So we had green pancakes.

It was a stay at home morning.  A little time in the pool.  A game of bean bag toss.

We went to Dairy Queen for lunch.  All the kids except Kyle got kids meals.  Daniel said the lady looked at him kinda funny when he ordered a kids meal.  But they all wanted the ice cream that came with it.

We made ice cream this afternoon.  I think it was the best we've ever made.  But I say that every year.

Frito pie for supper, a swim, baths, and then the movie Night at the Museum.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 -- Wednesday

No alarm clocks went off this morning.  Luke got up at 7:20 and Misty followed soon after.  When they all had made it up, we had a breakfast of blueberry muffins and fruit.  We also had the Jerusalem melon the Greenes brought us yesterday.  It was a hit.

We had a good discussion on goodness, kindness, and patience.  We concluded that practicing these three consistently is a struggle.

After we raised the flag, we all pretty well goofed off while Grandad worked on the plumbing.  Yes, we had an overflow last night.

We left for the SummerFun WaterPark about 10:30.   The kids jumped into the lazy river as soon as we got there.  They took a break once in a while then jumped back in the water.  At 4:30 we headed for Killeen and the Golden Corral. The kids were all famished ands took full advantage of the buffet.

I thought they would be worn out when we got home, but they decided to take a little walk in the pasture.  I however headed for my recliner.

I hear the dominoes hitting the table. Sounds like another 42 game.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 - Tuesday

The alarm clock went off at 6:30, and at 6:40 and still not a peep out of the kids.  A different alarm went off at 6:45 and at 7.  I finally heard a little movement.  They were up at 7:30.

In our Bible time we talked about love, peace, and joy.

Today was a breakfast sundae morning.  Yogurt, cereal, toasted almonds, toasted coconut, pineapple, banana, granola, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, and lots and lots of whipped cream.

After cleanup the crew headed for the tank to fish.  I forgot to mention that Daniel caught some on Sunday, and he and Misty caught some on Monday.  They all went this morning.

When they got back to the house, we all just hung out playing with our phones.  The kids watched goofy videos.  Kyle introduced Grandad to Pandora, so he just sat around with his headphones on and patting his foot to the music.  It doesn't take much to entertain this bunch.

Daniel chose Bush's Chicken for lunch.  We had our fill of chicken, okra, mashed potatoes, and sweet tea.  They were full and happy.

Back at the house, Grandad got out the supplies for a little project he had planned.  It turned out really well, but I'm not telling what it is.

The kids played a game of croquet, ate watermelon, and took a dip in the pool.

We had make-your-own pizzas for supper.  After we cleared the table, Grandad and I gave the kids a glimpse into our lives beginning with their great grandparents down the family tree until they were added.

Our friends the Greenes called to ask if they could come over to bring us a Jerusalem melon.  When the kids heard that, they got busy cleaning up the living room.  All their bedding was still in the floor, and they had been wrestling and horsing around, so it looked like a storm had hit.  While we went outside to meet the Greenes, they worked a miracle in the living room.  It was neat as a pin.  I refuse to look in the office where they stuffed everything.

You would have been proud of them.  They shook hands with the Greenes and were on their best behavior.  They were excited about having Jerusalem melon for breakfast.

We have a prankster or pranksters in our midst.  They played a real doozy tonight.  But it has to be told in person.  You'll have to wait.

As I write there is a 42 game in progress.  We'll try to get them to bed at a reasonable hour.  Daniel reads them to sleep.

Monday, July 23, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 -- Monday

The grandkids settled down last night and got a good nights rest.  Someone's alarm went off at 6:15 and they lay there talking quietly and listening to music.

Grandad was outside getting the fire ready for campfire doughnuts.

When the kids ventured outside, we had our Bible time.  This year we're discussing the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22.  We raised the flag and said the pledge of allegiance before a breakfast of campfire doughnuts and grapes.  We had a pile of doughnuts, but they were all eaten.

After cleanup four campers played 42 while Kyle, Gracie, and I played Bible Land.  Mid-morning we headed for Topsey Exotic Ranch.  After we got there it took a while to get the seats configured the way they wanted them, but having a budding engineer helped.  You know it takes a lot of planning to get things arranged so they can quickly retreat to the back of the vehicle to escape the camel.

Of course the camel is the highlight of the trip.  To see all those long legs flailing to get away from the stinky old thing was entertaining.

Pizza Hut was the choice for lunch.  A little down time, a little swimming, and some game playing filled the afternoon.  Oh, and they built a fort in the living room.  Remember those days?  But this one was on a large scale.  Picture the air mattresses and mats placed on end for the wall with sheets and such thrown over them.

Supper was chicken strips, mac 'n cheese and English peas.  They had good appetites.  Gracie even ate three chicken strips.

Grandad organized a bean bag toss tournament.  The score was pretty close, but Misty and Daniel was the winning team.

We roasted marshmallows tonight at Gracie's request.  I think I was the only one who ate a s'more.  I had told them about a recipe I saw, and they all wanted to try it.  It's waffle cones with peanut butter spread on the inside and then filled with a combination of mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.  Then you wrap them in foil and place them on the grill for about 10  minutes until the marshmallows melt.  I still think s'mores are the best.

They're at it again.  Another 42 game is in progress.  These kids are so easy to please.  I'm hoping they've worn themselves out so they'll go to sleep quickly.  I know I will.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

COUSINS CAMP 2012 -- Sunday

The cousins had decided that they wanted to go to the 8:30 worship service.  So we told them that they would need to be up by 7 o'clock for breakfast.  We heard an alarm go off at 6.  I don't know how, but they were all awake at breakfast.  And we got to church early.

Luke chose Casa Ole for lunch.  We all ate too much, which I always do there.  It's all those chips we eat before the meal comes.

When we got home the kids had a very short game of 42 after which everyone found a place to take a little nap.  Everyone but Luke and Gracie.

Misty lay on the couch all afternoon, but when I asked her how she felt, she'd say, "I'm fine."

A little swimming, a little 42.  A lazy Sunday afternoon,

Grandad cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.  And Luke chose oatmeal whoopie pies for dessert.  They were yummy.

The movie of the night was Clue.

I'm going to put on my "I mean it" face tonight and insist that they go to sleep.  There are enough corners in this house for all of them.  Hee, hee, hee.


Cousins Camp 2012 - Saturday

The families got to the ranch just in time for lunch.  Misty had chosen tacos for lunch.  We fed the parents after which they left us alone with five teenagers and a 10 year old.

The cousins donned their swimsuits and jumped in the pool.  This will probably be the last year for this little pool.  Grandad has been patching the patches.  And the water is only waist deep for Kyle and Daniel.  But the kids have fun in it anyway.

When they got out of the pool they had a rousing game of 42 and then a game of Monopoly.  I love the sound of kids in the house.

For several years we've been playing a game of hide 'n seek with the M&M jar.  The grandkids always trick me into telling where it's hidden.  So this year Grandad put the M&Ms into four bags and hid them with  clues enclosed to lead them to the next bag.  At this time we are at a standstill.  Someone has found the 4th bag but isn't telling.

The kids had a hard time deciding where to eat tonight.  They finally decided on CiCi's pizza.  We drove to Killeen and went into CiCi's. Grandad reached into his pocket -- no wallet.  So we drove to Cove and went to Black Meg's for hamburgers.  A good choice.  Now every time we get in the car, one of the kids will pipe up and say, "Do you have your wallet?"


Another game of 42 and a movie.  We got the bedding arranged and head for bed.  The kids had a hard time settling down.  I don't know what time they got to sleep.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Add sun block to the What to Bring list.
WHAT TO BRING TO COUSINS CAMP

Bible
swim suit
beach towel
fishing gear
DVDs
games

We're ready.  Are you?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The pantry and freezer are full of kid food.  Grandad has the pool filled and games planned and ready.  All we need now is a house full of grandkids.

Monday, July 16, 2012

I have a better idea than sleeping in the tree house, we should camp out on top of the hill

What do you like on your pizza?

Sunday, July 15, 2012

who will sleep in the treehouse?

Friday, July 13, 2012

MEAL CHOICES

Let me know if any of you want to change your food choices.

Luke, I haven't been able to find the cream puffs in our stores.  Would you
please give me another option in case I don't find them next week.
COUSINS CAMP TRIPS

We have three suggestions for trips this year.  You will need to communicate among
yourselves to choose which two you would all like to do.

They are:  SummerFun Waterpark in Belton
                 Topsey Exotic Ranch
                 Austins Park in Pflugerville (www.austinspark.com)