~Country Livin'~: Spring Break

We had a fun Spring Break a couple weeks ago! Kalyn and Sheldon spent the first half of Spring Break with us then went to their dad's in Baytown for the second half. Ricky and I decided to take the kids to Llano and spend some family time together. Sheldon had never spent the night in the cabin at our ranch so that is what we did! The kids were so excited and had been talking about the trip for days before we left. Kalyn even made a packing list for us! :o) We got there around lunchtime on Monday after visiting with my parents and we got all settled in...fixed our beds and put the food away, etc. After a sandwich meal we decided to go for a ride around the ranch and collect unique rocks to take home so we could make more flowerbeds later in the week. I have always liked the idea of "taking a bit of Llano home with me." Ricky teases me about it, but that's the way I see it and it warms my heart! Anyway, Kalyn enjoyed picking flowers and Sheldon had fun climbing rocks while Ricky and I picked out the rocks along the creek beds. It was very relaxing to be out there. Once we got back to the cabin for a drink we decided to take a walk...I showed the kids where their dad and I buried our first dog (Lacy) then Ricky got the kids interested in climbing different trees. There were some really neat trees with long branches and swinging vines...very similar to the ones that my sister and I used to play on when they were near the cabin when we were kids. Memories came flooding back and I forgot my camera! I was so disappointed...we'll have to go back and get some pictures next time! Ricky cooked some wonderful pork chops on the grill for supper and we enjoyed visiting with Granden and Oni for awhile. Soon after supper Ricky, Granden, and the kids got the fire going in the fireplace as it was starting to get pretty cool outside. Kalyn and Sheldon wanted to make smores so we did that..they were yummy!! Sheldon loved every bite, but Kalyn wasn't too crazy about them. She just really enjoyed the experience in itself. I told the kids we all had to take showers in the cabin to get the full experience...let me tell you, this cabin was made in 1947 by my great grandfather so it is old and very simple. The shower is made out of cement and is very small (maybe 4 1/2 to 5 ft from where the water comes out)...imagine Ricky taking a shower in there! It was really funny...we all got a good laugh out of that. The kids were fast asleep soon after their heads hit the pillow..they were pooped! Ricky and I slept out on the screened porch and it was COLD!! It was warm enough under the sleeping bags, thank goodness. Ricky woke me up the next morning and told me to look out the screen...there was a flock of wild turkeys right in front of us. It was really cool to watch them for awhile. After we ate a delicious country breakfast we packed up and headed to town to make the rounds to see the grandparents. We will definitely plan another family trip to the cabin in the near future...it was wonderful!!

Kalyn and Sheldon pose in front of the cabin