We went camping for the July 4th weekend, arriving Thursday afternoon at David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, TN. As usual, it was a wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate our love for the outdoors and each other. The kids always have a great time as we attempt to eliminate any unnecessary use of electronic media. An occasional break from exercise is allowed and out pops the DS or the DVD player, but for the most part they entertain themselves (and us) with good old-fashioned games and activities.
A pop-up camper is our home away from home and Jason took it down on Wednesday afternoon to claim our spot - a nice one along the creek bed. The kids woke up Friday morning and spent some time watching the water out their window.
We told some morning "ghost stories" and Cooper used his flashlight souvenir from Cole's birthday party to add effect to his creative recollection of his favorite Scooby Doo episode. 
After a great breakfast, we hopped on our bikes (Cooper and Ivy in the trailer with their usual Dum Dum suckers) and headed to the park office to visit Grandma Dee Dee.
Dee Dee invited the boys to handle some of the rescued animals (a corn snake and two turtles) which was certainly a highlight of the trip. 
Afterward, we headed to the park pool and swam for a bit. The huge baby pool was Ivy's favorite but the boys and dad enjoyed the diving boards. One of the lifeguards dared Cooper to squirt an unexpecting guard on the chair and he happily obliged. It was fun!
On Friday night, Dee Dee, Granny and Paw Paw offered to take the kids to dinner and Putt Putt so that Jason and I could go out to celebrate our anniversary. We went to Florence, AL to a great Italian place called Ricatoni's. These pics show why I love this man so very much! 
Saturday morning, Dee Dee came over and she and I took the kids to Sunrise Bakery for some donuts. They loved it (who wouldn't?) and we even managed to save a few to bring back for dad.
Most of Saturday afternoon was spent in the creek behind the camper. The boys enjoyed floating down river and then carrying the floats back up to do it again. They are such good buddies and it was adorable to see them floating down holding hands and talking.
There were a lot of other kids in the park and Cole gathered a group together for a game of Creekbed Football. Cole played hard tackle while the parents kept guarded watch. I tried to maintain that this was innocent play, but I noticed our 9-year old going extra hard after this bikini-clad participant. 
We gathered some others for a game of water balloon toss. This was my great idea - one that I regretted once I realized that someone had to fill up the water balloons. It was worth the sore fingers, though, because they had a great time.
That night they were having fireworks at the Lawrence County High School football stadium (Jason's field of fame) so we took the kids. We chose McDonald's for our tailgate party which the kids, of course, loved before heading to the field for the festivities. Ivy wore her red, white and blue tu tu dress for picture-taking enjoyment and then I changed her into something more comfortable. It was a great night and the kids got to run all over the field and play football, frisbee and run all over the place. We couldn't have asked for better weather as we watched the fireworks on our blanket with Dee Dee. 
It was a great weekend. We love these opportunities to get away and make great memories! By Sunday morning, the kids were worn out and, when I FORCED them to pose for my photo op, this was the best I could get. Don't they look thrilled?
We are all blessed for the freedoms we are given. I hope you had the chance to celebrate these blessings in your own special way!
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