Park Fun

A couple of weeks ago Bryan's parents came into town and we took Matthew to the park.  Here are a few photo's of the fun morning...

My Favorite!! 

He LOVED this big slide

Sig Shack "Family" Vacation 2010

During college Bryan lived in a house that was called the "Sig Shack".  It was a house passed down between members in their club, Gamma Sigma Phi.  During his Junior and Senior year he lived with the same group of guys - Stan Bailey, Jason Hindman, Jake Hogan, Nic Belcher, and Ben Blake.  These guys are SUPER close, and that might even be an understatement!!  Through the years since college each of the guys have married or are about to marry great women.  I feel so blessed to have each and everyone of them in my life!  We often talk about how lucky we are to all get along so well since only a couple of us knew each other in college.

For a few years we have thrown around the idea of going on a "family" vacation together and this year we made that a reality.  On Friday afternoon the Bailey's, Belcher's, and us headed to a small town called Peoria, TX just outside of Hillsboro to stay at a lake house near Lake Aquilla Friday through Monday.  The ladies had such high hopes for this trip.  We spent the days prior to the trip visiting Target, Walmart, and Dollar Stores buying activities for the kiddos to do during our "down time".  We had coloring, play dough, pumpkin carving, bubbles, and other fun stuff.  After being in the lake house for a few hours we figured out we were way over our heads with entertaining all the kids in such a small space!  I give us an A for effort though!!

Bryan and I were the first to arrive so Bryan took Matthew on a hike around some of the trails

Here's a look at our refrigerator and pantry after all 3 families emptied their coolers.  Each family was in charge of making one breakfast and one dinner during our trip and we all brought our own lunch items.  We decided next year we'd talk a little more about what exactly we were bringing to avoid having 7 bags of chips and 3 or 4 loaves of bread!!  Look at all that lunch meat on the second shelf  :)

 Matthew and Boston (Stan and Jessi's youngest son) exploring the woods together.  While Jessi and I took the boys through some of the trails Bryan and Stan went to the lake and laid out a trout line.  They just knew they were going to catch a huge fish!!

Hanging out at a picnic table beside the campfire site

Here's Jessi and Boston swinging on a rope swing with a tiny board on it.  This swing was a great workout, it took a lot of muscle power to keep the swing seat straight!!

After exploring the trails, Boston and Julianna (Nic and Ashley's daughter) decided to dance with Nic 

All the kids got baths the first night.  But before Bryan had a chance to drain Matthew's bath water Boston decided he'd like to take another bath with his pajama's on!!  Ha Ha!!!!

After the "babies" went to bed all the "big kids" stayed up and had a camp fire.  Here's Stan and Brayden (the Bailey's oldest son) roasting marshmallows for their smores!

Nic, Ashley, and I enjoying the fire

Jessi, Brayden, and Stan

After our campfire and playing games, late Friday night Bryan and Stan thought they might want to sleep in the loft above the living room but ultimately decided against it.  

Here they are trying it on for size...

Saturday morning after breakfast we loaded the kids in the wagon and hiked down to the lake to check the trout line.  Everyone was excited to see what the boys had caught!!

Stan and Brayden had to stop by the shed on the way to pick up something.  Brayden was so cute the whole weekend.  He was definitely enjoying spending a lot of time with the boys doing "manly" things.

On the way to the lake we had to cross over this ladder.  The boys would hand over each kid and then pass the wagon over.

Here's Bryan and Nic trying to guide the wagon slowly down this hill to the lake.

Bryan, Stan, and Brayden checking the line - they didn't catch anything :(

Matthew and I waiting on the shore for the guys to get finished

Jessi, Ashley, and Me

When we got back to the lakehouse Bryan and I were playing Stan and Nic in fooseball (sp?).  At one point Matthew wanted to watch so Bryan picked him up and tried playing one handed.  That obviously didn't work and we were having a very competitive game so we problem solved.  Matthew loved watching us play, he would laugh and clap for us!!  So stinkin' cute!!

All the kiddo's sitting around the table eating their lunch.  Nic and Bryan were helping them while the girls got our lunch ready.

HA HA!!  On Friday night Bryan and I made taco's for dinner and we had enough left over to eat it again for lunch on Saturday.  Ashley said we could just snip the corner of the bag of beans and squeeze them out that way and this is what we got.  Yummy!!

**After lunch is when our fun family vacation turned into a scary experience. ** 

After we finished eating the girls started to clean up lunch and the guys were getting things ready for the kids naps.  Matthew and Boston were playing in the living room beside the couch, just out of eye sight of the adults.  Matthew started crying and when Bryan went to get him he noticed Boston was on top of him.  Ashley picked up Boston and Bryan picked up Matthew.  At this point Matthew started holding his breath.  At first we just thought he was hurting bad and would let out a scream cry but he never did so we started panicking thinking he was choking on something.  I grabbed Matthew out of Bryan's arms and started trying to do the Heimlick maneuver.  After a few seconds Matthew went limp and doubled over in my arms.  Ashely quickly grabbed her phone and called 911 while Jessi went to find Stan and Nic.  I started freaking out so Bryan took him from me.  When Bryan grabbed him I noticed Matthew's eyes rolling in the back of his head and he was turning really pale.  Bryan tried doing the Heimlick, then did back blows and Matthew was still not breathing.  Nic came in the room and tried finger sweeping his mouth.  The second time is when Matthew started opening his eyes a little bit.  At this point Stan runs in the room and started giving him a few breaths by mouth to help him "come to" a little faster.  All the while I was running in circles screaming in the living room - not my finest moment!  In the end Matthew stopped breathing for 30 to 45 seconds but he was really pale and very lethargic.  The volunteer fire department arrived shortly after he started breathing again and a few short moments later the ambulance arrived.  We ended up taking Matthew to the Hillsboro hospital by ambulance.  He was awake but just not acting himself so we wanted to be safe and get him checked out by a doctor.  The hospital did a chest x-ray to make sure he didn't aspirate anything into his lungs, a CT scan to make sure he didn't have any brain damage, and blood work to make sure he didn't have a seizure.  In the end all tests came back normal so the doctor guessed he either had the wind knocked out of him and before he could recover he passed out or he was stunned after being knocked down and held his breath long enough to pass out.  However, just to be safe they told us to act like he had a concussion and wake him up every 2 hours that night to see if he was still breathing okay.  

We were very impressed with the emergency response paramedics/fire department and the hospital.  They were extremely concerned for Matthew and helped calm us down in this stressful situation!

After all was said and done we decided to stay the rest of the weekend.  Matthew was responsive every time we woke him up and he acted like nothing ever happened the next day.  So we decided to stay and make good memories instead of leaving on a negative note and we were really glad we did!!

After we got back from the hospital we decided to put in a movie to kind of "wind down" after all the excitement.  Here's a picture of the kids relaxing in the living room (plus Bryan and Nic!).

Sunday morning Nic took all the kids into their room and had them sing songs.  I think they were singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" when I took this picture, it looks like Julianna was "washing the spider out"!!

After breakfast on Sunday we decided to make another trip to the trout line 

and go hiking on some of the trails.  Here's the "babies" waiting in the wagon.

Stan and Brayden caught............ A Rock!!!

Here they are showing their muscles with their great catch!

Bryan and I by the lake

Boston and Matthew were great friends!!

Ashley, Jessi, and Me.  

Keep in mind we were "camping" so we didn't have make up on and I'm pretty sure that was before my shower!

Stan, Nic, and Bryan 

(there were only 2 life vests so Bryan was out of luck if they turned over!!)

Brayden wanted to help pull the wagon

Here's Brayden walking with his walking stick

The group going through a field.  Bryan is at the front with Brayden's walking stick knocking back the grass to make sure we didn't come across any surprise wild life!!

The gang getting ready to walk over the ladder by the lake

On the way back to the lake house Boston was so relaxed he decided to take a little snooze! 

 Ha Ha!!

Sig Shack Family Vacation Photo 2010

Bryan, Me, Matthew, Brayden Julianna, Nic, Ashley, Boston, Jessi, and Stan

Beavers Bend

Bryan and I have been blessed to be apart of a small group bible study for the past 6 years.  The people in our group have changed over the years but I am so grateful for all the friendships we have made.  The week we started going to Farmers Branch Church of Christ we started a small group.  The group had several people from ACU that we knew a little but not a whole lot.  Over the years we have grown together - we've moved from apartments to houses, have had kids, and have had our fair share of struggles.  I don't know where we would be without these friends!

Each year we go on a "camping" trip together to Beavers Bend State Park (we stay in nice cabins, so camping is a lose term!).  Each of us look forward to this trip every year because it's a time we set aside to just be together and to not be distracted by the worries of our everyday life.  Since we started attending the small group we have had to split 3 times because our group had gotten so big.  So this camping trip is really special because it's a time where we can all be together as one BIG group!!  Here are a few pictures from over the years.

2005

The Girls: Kelly Baker, Kristin Brewer, Stephenie Brewer, Me, Janet Wheeler, Andrea Egan 

The Boys: Bryan Stone, Chris Baker, Chris Brewer, Ben Wheeler, Chris Egan, Jeremy Brewer

Bryan and I by the river

Kelly and I

2006

The group after a canoeing trip

Bryan and I, Jeremy and Stephenie Brewer, Chris and Kristin Brewer, Chris and Kelly Baker, 

Jason and Laura Burnett

Laura, Kelly, and Me infront of the foggy river during our cookout

Bryan and I standing at our Devo spot.  On Sunday morning we hike to this lookout point and have a devotional before packing up and heading home.

The Girls: Stephenie Brewer, Kelly Baker, Janet Wheeler, Kristin Brewer, and Me

The Boys: Ben Wheeler, Chris Brewer, Jeremy Brewer, Chris Baker, and Bryan

Our group on Friday night eating at Abendego's

2007

A view of the river in front of our cabin

Our cabin

The girls before our cookout: Kelly Baker, Stephenie Brewer, Amanda Stigers, Laura Burnett, 

Me, Janet Wheeler, and Kristin Brewer

This isn't the highest quality picture but here's a look at what our camp fire usually looks like.  After our cookout we'll sit by the fire eating smores and share whatever stories come to our minds.  A lot of funny moments have been shared by the campfire!!

Of course the campfire would not be complete without Ben yodeling!!!

Our Devotional

Bryan and I at the Devo site

The girls: Me, Stephenie, Laura, Kelly, Amanda, Kristin, and Janet

The boys being, well, the boys: Chris, Bryan, Ben, Jeremy, Chris, Jason, Mark

A better shot of the boys!

2008

This year was the first year the "Specialty Cabin" was available.  

We stayed here with Ben and Janet Wheeler and Chris and Kristin Brewer.  

Nice face Stephenie!!

Bryan and I by a pretty tree in front of our cabin

Bryan and I at Abendego's

The group hiking.  This was the first year we had kiddos with us.  Jason and Laura brought Bonnie and Elena, their nieces who live with them.  It was really neat to see Beavers Bend through their eyes.

Bryan and Stephenie

Kelly, Amanda, and I

A few people stopped to have a stick race

Taking a time out for yet another picture!!

Here's the 3 who fell in the water  :)

After our hike we decided to go canoeing.  The Burnett's and us were having a race back to the docks.  Looks like they won!!

Jason, Laura, Elena, Bonnie, Bryan, and I

Kristin, Amanda, and Kelly making their way to the dock

Bonnie and Elena

Bryan and I

The girls: Laura, Amanda, Kelly, Stephenie, Me, Kristin, Elena, 

Bonnie, and Janet (pregnant with Marin)

The boys: Bryan, Mark, Chris, Ben, Chris, Jason, Jeremy

Hanging out at the campfire!!

Rex decided Kelly's lap was more comfortable!!

Since Janet was pregnant, Ben, Janet, Bryan, and I headed to our devo spot early so we could take our time walking up the hill.  Whenever we got there it started raining and lightning so we ended up having to go back.  We snapped a photo before heading down!  This year we had our Sunday devotional at our cabin instead.

A group shot of the girls and boys before heading home

Janet and I

Little did we know how many future play dates we would go on!!

2009

This year it was bitter cold outside so most of our days were spent inside hanging out and playing games!

Bryan, Ben, Janet, and Debbie and Kevin Harris (and me) playing Settlers of Catan

Chris, Bryan, Me, Kelly, and Kim and Gary Bones playing Phase 10

This was Matthew's first trip to Beavers Bend.  He was just barely 2 months old!  

Janet and Marin playing.  This was Marin's first trip to BB as well!

Bryan, Matthew, and I.  Isn't he a cutie in his bear outfit?!?!

Kelly and Me

Here's Matthew helping Bryan hold all his cards

A photo on the deck.  Matthew was NOT happy to be taking this picture since it was so cold outside.

Kim, Matthew, Elena, and Laura during our cookout Saturday night

Since Sunday was Baby Dedication Sunday at our church, we had to leave Saturday night and therefore missed our yearly group photo at the devo site.  Laura was helpful and held Matthew while Bryan and I packed up the car.  She's giving a thumbs up because she was able to get him to fall asleep after him fighting it for so long!!  She had good practice for little Clara who was born a few months later!

2010

Be Warned!!  This is the first year we have had all the kiddos at Beavers Bend and it was warm enough for us to do outside activities.  There are TONS of pictures!!!!!

This year Janet and I headed to Beavers Bend Thursday afternoon right before the kids naptime.  Here's what our load looked like.  I was really impressed with us!  We were able to pack both of our families items into one car PLUS a wagon and a jogging stroller for Chris and Kristin Brewer!!

When we got to the park we just relaxed in our cabin until
the rest of our friends arrived later that evening.

Marin and I reading a book

Janet, Marin, Matthew, and Bryan playing

Marin enjoyed running in circles through our cabin out onto the patio and back into our cabin through another door.  Matthew enjoyed watching her through the window!

It wouldn't be Beavers Bend without a picture on our patio!
Matthew is just a little bit bigger than last year :)

Bryan teaching Matthew how to put the shapes in the shape sorter and
how to knock over the stack of cups.

Our first wagon ride of the weekend!

Our traditional dinner at Abendegos has been changed to Pizza Hut due to families going down to one income.  Here we are chowing down on our yummy pizza!  This is only half of our group, the rest of them arrived the next day.

After dinner and a brief visit to our campfire, Matthew and Marin took a bath.

They REALLY enjoyed splashing the water around!!!

On our first full day the wives took the kids to the park while the husbands played golf.  Here's Matthew and me about to slide down the slide!!

All the kiddos
Outside Wagon in back: Sierra, Elena, and Marin
Inside Wagon: Sutton, Clara, and Matthew

527 pictures later these kids were ready to get out of the wagon!!!

Such a sweet picture of Matthew looking up at Elena.  Elena was so good with Matthew, she even took him down the slide!

Too cute!!!

After our trip to the park it was back to the cabin for lunch and naps!

Once the kids woke up from their naps we made a trip to the train station.  This "kiddy" train took us through part of the park where we saw some deers and other wildlife.

Laura and Clara, Kristin and Sutton, Amanda and Elena, Me and Matthew, Janet and Marin,
Kelly (and baby Riley), and Stephenie and Sierra

Here's the crew before our train ride started

It was such a beautiful day we decided to go to the park again after our train ride.

Marin and Sierra enjoyed playing Ring Around the Rosy!

The next day we went hiked through some of the trails.  Kevin got us this backpack carrier for Christmas and it is really cool, Matthew loves it!!!

A hike wouldn't be a hike without someone falling in.  This year Chris Baker was our casualty.  We were trying to figure out how to cross this creek and as Chris was making his way across he slipped and fell into the water.  However, he was able to keep the camera on his back out of the water, impressive!!

Ben and Bryan playing poker but betting Marin and Matthews toys instead of money!

It was the girls turn to get some time away from the kids and we decided to go canoeing!

Here's Kristin and Laura - it's amazing they didn't turn over!  I don't think they ended the trip very dry though!  Amanda and I were in a canoe together and we tried our hardest to stay away from their line of fire!! :)

Half way through the trip Elena decides to hold on to their canoe!

The master canoers Janet and Kelly.  They made it seem so easy!!!

Me and Amanda

Ben and Marin around our campfire

Janet, Marin, Matthew, and Me

Mark and Amanda

Bryan, Matthew, and Me

Chris and Kelly (and baby Riley)

Ben, Janet, and Marin

The boys cooking our meat on the grill

Ummmmmmm.....

A group shot after our cookout

Kristin's camera will take a series of shots consecutively in a row and our attention spans thinned out by the time the camera was finished taking all the pictures.  I think this picture captures the "real us"!!

Bryan, Matthew, and I at the devo site.  (Plus Jeremy admiring the landscape!!)

Our group shot before heading home once again

Thank you Jeremy, Stephenie, Chris, Kelly, Ben, Janet, Chris, Kristin, Jason, Laura, Mark, and Amanda for all the fun memories and being such a constant presence in our lives!!  We would not be the couple or the parents we are without your love and support!  We are looking forward to another fun year at Beavers Bend in 2011!!!!!