Searls Family Staycation Day 3

Family is made up of people that happen to have been born into the same group. Family changes as siblings marry, children are born, and family dynamics evolve. Family members always love each other; but, sometimes they don't like one another. Life happens; things are said and feelings are hurt. Thankfully, time passes, hurts ease and disagreements mend. But, going though the rough patches is not fun. Looking back at our last day, I can see that the perfect storm for a blow up was brewing. I just didn't see events clearly enough at the time to keep it from happening. While day 3 was not supposed to be the last day of our family staycation, that's what it ended up being. There were highs; but, some terrible lows. I won't share all of the details because by the time I typed this, feelings were on the mend. I will say that we started out vacation having been stressed out by home schooling, working from home, trying to social distance, etc. And, after 2 days, we were all tired, done with living in cramped quarters, finished with dealing with unrelenting heat, and exhausted from filling time by over-scheduling activities. I believe all will be well and that we will continue to gather as a family. However, we won't spend an extended time in such a small space with unrelenting heat ever, ever again.

Our day started out with another hike. This time, we went to an area near Harker Heights that is near Stillhouse Lake. It is utilized by mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. It used to be maintained by the Corp of Engineers; but, I believe the city of Harker Heights may have taken over management. Regardless, it is a mess of winding, rough trails, overgrown vegetation, and not at all an easy hike. We were all exhausted from wandering around lost, without clear markers on the trails. It was a long, hot, miserable morning. Scott and Molly did not go with us. Molly had to work, and Scott had a leadership course that was unexpectedly rescheduled because of COVID, and took place during his vacation days. His intent was to stay home during our hike and get some of the online things completed.  Ron and Gerson also opted to stay back and made a garbage and recycling run while we were out. We had all intended to get back around lunch time, eat lunch together and finish up the various activities that had been planned, pick up an order from Rudy's for dinner, and break camp the next morning. Instead, there was a blow up, misunderstanding, disagreement... whatever you want to call it, and we decided it was just best if we broke camp and everyone went home to get some rest. It was a sad, sad way to end our vacation. I could have glossed over it and pretended it didn't happen. But, that isn't family. That isn't life. And, this blog is about family... the good and the bad.

So here are some pictures of our morning hike. You can see smiles, you can see the affection and love we have for one another. It is still there. Just in need of some personal space right now.

Jamie, Sophia, Sophie, Leslie, Maggie, Samantha, and Mimi

Sophia on one of the horribly, rocky trails.

The views of the lake were few and far between. The thick vegetation also blocked most of the breeze. 

Ryan and the twins.

Jamie and Ryan 

Maggie

trudging up yet another rocky bike trail

Sophia

Samantha and Maggie

Finally, a view of the lake!

Leslie and some of the grands.

Jamie and Ryan with Sophia

I do love and adore every single person in my family. I am thankful for the addition of in-laws that are unique and add new dimensions to the dynamics of our core group. I couldn't ask for more wonderful, brilliant, or beautiful grandkids. I just wish there weren't sad times. I know I should be thankful for the sad times because they are supposed to make a person appreciate the good times even more. But, I haven't reached that level of spiritual maturity yet. I still think the sad times stink!

Family Staycation 2020 Day 2

Since we weren't going to be able to hike any trails at Yellowstone or Grand Teton, we opted for a hike at an area close to home. We got up fairly early on day 2 and headed to Chalk Ridge Falls in Belton. I figured a place that had water and gave the kids a chance to cool off would be a good choice. It was more crowded than we would have liked; but, everyone in this area is going stir crazy from staying at home during the shelter in place phase of COVID. Now that public and state parks are opening up, people are venturing out. We had the trail to ourselves most of the day, and there was only one family actually in the swimming hole at the foot of the falls. We left the area around 10:30 a.m. so we beat the heat and most of the crowds. It really is a nice area to hike and I think everyone had a good time. 

Social distancing was easy at the park. People are still discouraged from gathering in large groups so I tried to keep space in our own family. It wasn't easy; but, we did a pretty good job of it. 

The trails aren't as well tended as I believe they normally are. There were a lot of low hanging branches and pretty large patches of poison Ivy. But, it was still easy to find the trail to the falls. I'm sure the lack of care is attributed to the virus as well.

The girls seem to have a great time anytime they get together. They really got along well.

I tired to get the girls to act like a choo-choo train. That didn't quite work out. 

The falls are really pretty and the water is fairly clear. It was slightly appalling how many lost and forgotten socks we found along the banks!

The suspension bridge was a little freaky. Really, really bouncy! 

Only the girls actually got into the water. They said it wasn't very cold, so that was a plus. 

Maggie, Sophie, Samantha, and Sophia

 I had to get some couples pictures while we were out. Ron isn't up to any kind of hiking, so he stayed behind and kept the dogs company. 

Jamie and Ryan

Molly and Scott

Leslie and Gerson

   

The ladies...

I even got into one picture!

We made a couple of stops on the way home, Dunkin' Doughnuts, Dollar Tree, and Sonic, for pool toys and refreshments. Once we got home, Molly decided she would fold me up into the seat of Leslie's car. I guess she was getting back at me for something. 

 After lunch, the girls had a few activities that their mother's had planned. They made some cute diamond art key chains and completed a Yellowstone animal scavenger hunt. 

Leslie found the diamond art craft online. She bought them because she figured it would take a while to complete. 

We figured the girls needed something to give them a break from being in the sun. 

I thought they all turned out so cute!

 For the scavenger hunt, they paired up in big sister and little sister teams. I really can't remember which team won. I was more concerned about them rousting a snake out of the weeds! They have seemed to be more numerous around the chicken coop this spring. But, the girls managed to find all of their animals, and not a single unwanted one!

Jamie printed and laminated pictures of the various animals found at Yellowstone.

The moms and I hid the pictures around the property.

The girls had to work in teams to find the pictures on their check lists.

As they found the animal, they would mark it off the checklist. 

I'm pretty sure there might have been one or two that somehow or another weren't found. 

There are a lot of good hiding places around Scott's house.

Leslie made us all some vinyl cut-outs for some sweat bands, buffs, bandannas and t-shirts. Even Pete got to wear a Searls Family Staycation buff for a while. He didn't like it but he is so sweet natured, you can do just about anything to that crazy dog. 

Pete in his buff.

One of the sweat bands.

Leslie and Gerson in their sweat bands.

Tico wearing one of the bandanas. 

At some point in the afternoon, someone found a baby bird on the ground near our tables. There are some spindly trees that grow at the west end of the house, and a couple of Cardinals had built a nest in the top branches. The wind must have blown their baby out. They kept flying around the tops of the trees, trying to figure out how to take care of the little guy. Luckily, with the use of some hoes, rakes, ladders, and teamwork, we managed to put the little guy back into his nest. I hope he makes it after that fall! It was pretty high.

We finished the day off with more swimming, Mentos geysers, and picked up dinner at Rosa's so that we wouldn't have to cook. 

The girls loved the boat...

Pete... not so much.

Scott and Molly with Pete in his life vest. For a lab, he isn't all that comfortable in the water. I think we all hope he will adjust. He would be a blast to swim with. 

Unfortunately, the heat and exhaustion were starting to take a toll on most of us. In hind sight, we probably should have called it quits this afternoon. Up until this point, we had been having a pretty good time. But, the next day... not so much. 

Family Staycation 2020 Day 1

Our family had planned to take a road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this summer. Unfortunately, COVID-19 threw a monkey wrench into those plans. We ended up canceling our trip and opted for a staycation at Scott's house. Between the family Class-C, the quilting room, our 5th wheel, and Scott's house, we managed to provide everyone with a place to sleep, pee, poop, clean up, and eat. Conditions weren't ideal; but, we managed to make the best of it for a day or so.

On our first day of staycation, we held the annual June Birthday celebration. Normally, we all go down to Round Rock, Texas and watch a baseball game, eat yummy dollar hot dogs, and enjoy an evening sweating in the stands, cheering on the Ranger farm team. Sadly, the Round Rock ball park is now a farm team for Houston... AND, they aren't playing ball due to COVID-19 right now anyway.

Our celebration honored Ron, Scott, Jamie, Samantha, Sophia, Sophie, Boomer and now Mark and Marian. We also threw in a Father's Day treat of grilled steak for the dads.

Scott manned the grill, the ladies provided sides, Jamie made cakes, the kids splashed in the pool, we gathered around Scott's newly purchased outdoor swamp cooler, and enjoyed one another's company.

The west end of Scott's house is the most shaded. It is also close to the pool and trampoline. We set up both of our awnings, moved his grill station down, and set up the tables and chairs. There was some shade for everyone during most of the day. That's not bad for a crowd this size.

                           

We decided to have grilled steak and chicken with baked potatoes cooked in the crock pot, pasta salad, green salad, fresh fruit, and cake for dessert. 

Scott's grill station is amazing. However, he really needs a prep area. I imagine he will either build or buy one soon.

We aren't big on gift giving; just mainly gifts for the grandkids. The newest members of the family (Jamie and Molly) are still adjusting to that custom. 

Almost everyone was here this day. Seth was the only absentee. Even Mark and Marian, Molly's folks joined us. They both have June birthdays as well!

Jamie is usually our cake master for family gatherings; but, Leslie wanted to make sure she got a birthday treat. She found some ice cream cup cakes at the local HEB. I think this sweet lady deserved a special treat all her own.

                                 

                                 

                                 
              The girls each got a pool float. Thank goodness for power pumps!

The twins got bucket hats with UV protection from Mimi. I was a total fail at keeping them greased up with sun screen the last time they stayed over night and swam all day. I felt so much better with this added layer of protection.

Maggie called me one day (during the stay at home pandemic phase) complaining about being bored. I tasked her with making birthday banners for all of our June birthday peeps. She even included Boomer. She got them all made and hung them around the edges of the awnings. 

The only thing I failed to get a picture of on our first staycation day was Scott's swamp cooler. He bought one at Home Depot. It was a life safer in this Texas heat. Jamie had also bought a snow cone maker. Those things were super sweet but amazingly refreshing!

But, the most enjoyable cooling treat was the pool. The grands lived in it most of the day.

We even pumped up the inflatable boat that we bought a few years ago. I attempted to teach each of the girls how to row. They did a pretty good job for their first time.

When they weren't in the boat, they were so good about waiting their turn. 

Even Poppy spent some time in the pool during the rowing lessons.

Uncle Scott had to get in and show them how easy it is to row, once you get the hang of things. 

We couldn't have a birthday celebration without the traditional pinata. Thanks, Les and Gerson!

It wasn't the most sturdy thing; but, each of the girls took a whack at it. 

Even Uncle Scott grabbed some candy!

I guess Uncle Ryan is too old for grabbing pinata candy off the ground. I figure he will raid the twins' stash.

Ron, Scott, and Molly supervising the chaos!

 Our day ended with everyone except Rebecca, crashing in either the RV or sewing room. Our first day of staycation wasn't as exciting as it would have been if we had made it to Yellowstone. But, Scott kept us informed about the things we were missing; a water boil notice for the West Yellowstone area, and heavy storms. I count that as a blessing for staying home.