Alabama fun

Week three at Joe Wheeler and we’re having a good time. The town is a hilly bike ride and 5 miles away (our 75 lb. bikes and weight of the kids make it a bit unfavorable to make the run in for groceries).  However, there’s plenty for us to keep busy at the state park.

 The kids made us a delicious cherry pie.

 We made it known how much the kids loved dogs and while fellow boaters were away on day trips, we were entrusted with their care.  Our friends Joan and Jay have three nice labs.  Morgan loved Marley, Ryann with Rosie and Jaxon with Molly.  The girls were quick to clean up messes without a question (almost to prove that they were responsible enough for their own dog).

Gloria and Jim from Crawdad (and Fenton, Michigan) have two dogs named Buddy and BooBoo.  We’ve met up with them periodically on the trip and love playing with their well behaved boys! 

Morgan with Buddy threw tennis balls around for a long time and he never tired of the game.

 Ryann loved talking with BooBoo about all of the fun we were having (really cute).

We catch grasshoppers each day for baiting catfish.  Jaxon is holding a huge one that really tickles your hands.  He calls it “bite” instead of bait.  The kids have found tons of lures left behind from fellow fishermen.  It’s become a bit of a treasure hunt now to find them each day.

 

Grandma Debbie, Alexander and Emily came for a weekend visit!  It was fun to spend time with them again. 

We had only stepped onto the boat for a minute and Alexander reeled in a big catfish! 

 After driving for over 12 hours the kids were excited to be together again and had lots to catch up on. 

 

Hot cocoa on a cool morning warms your belly. 

 

Catching grasshoppers was top on the list for the morning and everyone participated. 

 Nothing better than doing everything possible with our cousins…including swinging.

 Alexander wanted to go swimming (in the chilly pool) so bad that he dunked his head in for a refreshing moment.

 We took a long hike through the woods around the park.

 We stopped off in these cove areas to do some treasure hunting for fishing lures.  We came up with a lot of other need finds too. 

 

Together again!

 Fun time with Grandma Debbie!  She was looking for a diamond ring treasure, but settled for some floating golf balls.

 Alexander and Morgan made a fishing pole and tried catching a big fish by the log.

 The kids could have went tubing all day. 

 We shot water balloons out of a sling shot and even made it to our moving target which was Craig and Jaxon on the dinghy or Morgan and (either Alexander or Emily) on the tube.  It was a roar of screams each time! 

  It was a fun day complete with grilled cheeseburgers on the bow of the boat, kids swimming and jumping for the aft deck and the time just flew by. 

Even Grandma Debbie took a turn with the sling shot. 

In the evening we attended a shrimp boil with the huge group of Loopers that have gathered for the festivities.  The kids played on the grass, enjoyed the potluck of food and cracked acorns…it didn’t matter as long as they were together. 

A few rounds of “family drawing night” was a hit.  I love how creative everyone gets. 

 Jaxon loves his Nintendo DS….even upside down.

 

It’s amazing how full the marina is with 70+ boats and the lodge is completely booked.  People that are doing the loop, want to do it or have done it before are here.  Vendors have booths set up, speakers and presenters on topics each day, AGLCA staff and everyone alike. 

 We met a cat named “Miss Kitty”….that’s what we call our friend Carrie back in Grand Haven. 

 Morgan still loves playing with her hermit crabs that she purchased in Michigan before we left.  There’s been a few nights that they were left outside and thankfully the raccoon didn’t get to them.