COUSINS CAMP COURIER -- Monday, July 26, 2010

Grandad roused the troops this morning with his school bell. They slept well and long last night.

After a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, and bacon, we loaded up for our annual trip to Topsey Exotic Ranch.

This guy threw rocks at us.

The real attraction at the Exotic Ranch is the camels.

The kids aren't as afraid of them as they used to be. But they like to run and scream anyway.

Water buffalo are fun to watch as they sink below the water.

Supergirl really liked the ponies and wanted to pet one.

Summer offered her bag of feed to the ostrich, careful not to let him get her fingers.

After we left the Exotic Ranch, we had lunch at Taco Bell, Summer's choice.

When we got back home we were all ready for a little down time. We watched the movie The Apple Dumpling Gang. Some of napped through part of it.

Some of us watched TV, some played Rummikub, and some played computer games.

Then it was time to do some more work on the tree house.

Remember the tree that grew through the tree house? Grandad cut it down.

Then the kids started putting down the new flooring.

Can you tell the difference between the old and the new?

The kids played in the pool. They have a good time even though it is such a small pool.

We had frito pie for supper with strawberry cheesecake for dessert. We'll all be dieting next week.

More tomorrow.

COUSINS CAMP COURIER -- Sunday, July 25, 2010

Our Sunday began with Pickles choice for breakfast -- cinnamon rolls.

We all managed to get ready to go to the 8:30 church service. What a joy it was to sit in church with all our grandchildren.

After church we had lunch at Casa Ole.

Grandad declared that Sunday would be a day of rest. Hmmm. I think someone beat him to that one. So the cousins watched all three of the Lord of the Ring movies.

They took a break to swim a while, and then back to the movies.

We had breakfast tacos for supper.

After another break from the movies, we built a fire and had s'mores and roasted Starbursts.

Cousins Camp Courier, Saturday, July 24, 2010

Grandad and LT were the early morning jogger today. The three teenagers said that they would get enough exercise on the scavenger hunt.

After a breakfast of blueberry coffeecake, we raised the flag, and our day had begun.
















Grandad gave the cousins some instructions on using their compasses, and they were off to find their way through the pastures.

KJ, Pickles and Supergirl were the red team. DR, LT, and Summer were the blue team.

They were to use their compasses to find the routes Grandad had laid out for them to follow. They did pretty well, but I think their was some guessing involved.

Halfway through their routes they found a cooler with cold sodas. By then they needed some refreshing, cool drinks.

They encountered some rough spots as they went along. But they were successful and made it back to the house.

Oops. My pictures are out of order. They did a little more painting on the treehouse, but that was after lunch at the County Seat Restaurant in Lampasas.

It was a very good lunch buffet, but we think they need a larger fryer because we had to wait and wait for them to fry up the chicken fried steak and chicken strips. You can imagine that we had some hungry kids by that time.

After the scavenger hunt they were ready for the pool.

They had a big game of pool volleyball.

They took down the net and tried diving over the side

of the pool. KJ could clear the top of the pool on his

back . . .

or on his tummy.

It looks as if Summer is climbing over the side, but actually

she had taken a running jump and made it over.

KJ had to help Pickles over.

And Supergirl too.

When they got out of the pool we had a most delicious

watermelon. Yummy!

Supper was make-your-own-pizzas. A movie and then

off to bed. It was a great day!

Cousins Camp Courier . . . Friday, July 23

Highlight of the day. D.R. caught a 7 1/2 lb, 26" catfish.

The cousins and their parents came on Thursday evening. Since the cousins aren't able to attend each others birthday parties, we have a giant birthday party at Cousins Camp.

The girls got nerf guns. Oh my!

The boys got new clothes.

The first official day of Cousins Camp started early. The three teenagers got up at 5 a.m. to get ready for a 5:30 jog. We'll see if they make it tomorrow morning. One of them is known to be a late sleeper.

After Bible time with Grandad, we had Summer's breakfast choice. Breakfast sundaes made with lots of good stuff. Yogurt, granola, almonds, bananas, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, and lots of RediWhip.

Game time. . . a game of Uno.

There was no shortage of Nerf guns. We'll be finding nerf bullets for months.

We went to Dairy Queen for lunch . . . Supergirl's choice, and then to the movie theater to see Toy Story 3 in 3D.

Back at the house it was time to begin the tree house update. Grandad asked what color they wanted to paint the walls. He thought they might like something different, but it was Aggie maroon again.

K.J. and L.T. painted the loft boards white.

WHAT TO BRING TO COUSINS CAMP

* Bible
* signed medical release form
* "tennis" shoes
* swim suit
* beach towel
* pool toys
* fishing gear, clothes, and shoes
* any games and toys you want to bring
* DVDs

T-Shirts

We ordered the Cousins Camp t-shirts today.

COUSINS CAMP 2010

It's time to start planning for Cousins Camp 2010. The date is set for
July 25-31. Yippee!!

The girls have already given me their meal selections. As follows:

Mackensie -- cinnamon rolls
breakfast tacos (for lunch)
s'mores

Gracie -- pancakes
frito pie
homemade ice cream

Misty -- breakfast sundaes
tacos
root beer floats

Let us know what kinds of trips and activities you liked best and which you don't care to do again. And give new suggestions you have.

Let the fun begin!!

AFTERMATH OF COUSINS CAMP

Hi Cousins,

Grandad and I sure are missing you today. We had a great time with you, and we think you are the greatest grandkids in the world!

While Cousins Camp is fresh on your memory, would you let us know what you liked, what you didn't like, and what suggestions you would have for next year's camp.

We love you,
Grandmom