H.A.N.K. Run

Travis, Bailey and I participated in the H.A.N.K. 10-4 run this cold morning. The proceeds go to help out the family's of officers killed in the line of duty.

Travis didn't have much competition in his age division and brought home the gold medal with a 1 hr 15 minute 10 mile. He was 15th overall out of 134 people. This was the farthest he has run in over 5 years.

Bailey and I did the one mile in 9 minutes. We took the opportunity to hand out some Oathkeepers brochures while we were there. There was line of officers at one point to get a brochure and I was pleased after talking to one police officer that there are other groups doing similar work.

Getting a medal.
Bailey wearing the medal. He is saying "Dop-it (stop it)" in this picture. He didn't want his picture taken!

Tent in Living Room?

I came home from work to find a tent set up in our living room! This is Travis's tent from when he was 9 years old. He set it up to see if it is worth keeping. With some inexpensive tent poles, it will be almost as good as new. Bailey loved it!

Big Boots

Camping... Third Time's a Charm

We hoped to go camping in the DFW area this weekend, but after calls to several state parks, we found that the trails were still closed because of all of the rain. Travis mentioned a park he had seen on the internet. I called Colorado Bend State Park and found out that their trails were open, but all of their camping spots were booked for the next two weekends. I asked if there were other camping options in the area and was referred to Barefoot Fishing Camp, but after seeing a review of a father and his son(http://www.jacobguide.com/tx/burnet/sulphursprings.html) we decided to go to Sulpher Springs Camp. We really didn't have much info to go on, so I warned Travis not to hold it against me if it wasn't too good.
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After driving for about 3 hours, we were all excited to see this as we were going into the camp.

The office was an addition to the owner's house. Travis noticed the "We Don't Tow" sign outside the office. We had no clue what we were in store for. Let's just say we couldn't have gotten to many of the campsites if we had taken my car.

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The sign at the top of this part of the road said "Primative Road" and somebody wrote on it "4 wheel drive and half a brain." It really doesn't look as steep in the video as it feels when riding in the truck. The first time down the road was nerve racking, but the next few times it felt familar and not scary at all.

The sun was going down as we decided on a campsite, so while Travis put the tent up (flashlight in teeth), and I cooked by the light of the truck's headlights. We heard what we thought were frogs chirping all night, but after we returned and got on the internet, we discovered that it was sound of an Eastern Screech Owl. We heard what sounded like a horse as the sun was coming up, but it was a differnt call of this same owl. It was a chilly evening but got COLD overnight. It was supposed to get down to 42 deg F early Saturday morning. Brrrrhh! We stayed pretty warm in the tent, but going outside in the morning was another story. I had a long sleeve shirt on and a jacket. Bailey asked for his mittens!

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We ate breakfast, took a couple trips to get water from the creek (where the truck crossed), saw a deer, and then ate lunch before heading to see the Sulpher Spring. It stunk, but it was crazy seeing all of that water coming out of nowhere.

While we were near the entry of the camp (a 15 - 20 minute drive from our campsite), we stopped by the office to see where we could go to get some coffee. I opened the door to find the smell of coffee, but the owner's said it was burnt and made us a fresh pot. We bought marshmellows for the campfire in evening and talked to the owner about where we were camping and that we went to the creek north of out campsite to get water. She told us to check out Bear Spring, which was south of our campsite.
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Here it is! It was a little difficult to get down to, but it was worth it. The creek was pretty clean (came out clear after filtered), but Bear Spring was pristine!

The water is so clear you can hardly tell that Bailey is standing on a rock that is surrounded by water.


Travis cleaned up the campsite and built a new fire pit while Bailey and I went hiking. Here's Bailey in a tree! I told him to smile for his Grandmas.


He's throwing a rock in the picture. This is the view to the east of our campsite, looking toward the Colorado River and the rock wall that lines it. We were basically bordered by water on three sides!


This is the view to the south, toward Colorado Bend State Park, which is adjacent to Sulphur Springs Camp. Bailey loved seeing the fish jumping out of the river.
These next four shots are at the creek area. The next time we go I'd like to follow this creek back into the woods to find the spring. Bailey is at the road level here.

Down the creek.... and making funny faces.


Down the creek more. Bailey took this picture of me!

Bailey sitting on a rock shelf.

Here's a picture of our camp set up. Yes, we were all crammed in that little tent! To the left is our water filter/washing station. Travis is TRYING to start a fire... He finally got it lit, but Bailey really didn't want to have much to do with it or the toasted marshmellows. Strange kid!

After it was dark we heard something rusting in the grass and spotted an armadillo. Then Travis spotted some little green eyes in the grass with his LED flashlight. They were the eyes of a 1/4" spider. Bailey kept saying "spider... eyes" (with a pause inbetween).

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Bailey woke up Sunday morning and said "Done." Travis asked, "Done what?" Bailey replied "Camping." He likes being in the boonies, but I think the tent did him in!

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It was alot warmer Sunday morning than the day before. It was HOT in the tent and we had to put on short sleeve shirts first thing. Sunday morning we packed it up (with turkeys gobbling in the distance) and headed to Colorado Bend State Park. The park ranger recommended a hike for us, but it ended up a little too long for a toddler. It was almost 5 miles total and the last two miles were spent on a gravel road to take us back to the truck!

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Besides that, this hike was gorgeous. We had to cross the creek several times and I was very glad that I wore my waterproof hiking boots. These three pictures are taken a half mile into the hike, but at the beginning of the creek area. Travis is trying to get Bailey to smile...

Bailey and me.

The pool area at the beginning of the creek. We need to go back when it's warmer and take a swim! See the area to the left where the sun is reflecting off? That is the creek crossing. You WILL get wet on this hike.

This was a dead end for us. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the path goes. We followed the side of the creek until we couldn't go any further. It turns out we were supposed to cross to the other side and end up at the upper right side of this picture.

I didn't get any pictures of the grueling part of the hike, 2 miles of the gravel road. We left Bend, TX, population of 12 people and headed to Lampasas to find some food (and cell phone service).
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Almost home! Here's Bailey with his camping buddy, Mickey.

We learned a lot of lessons from this camping adventure. The next time, we'll have to take his potty, unless he learns how to go to the bathroom outside. I'll spare you potty stories, but we did have a funny incident. We were very happy with Sulphur Springs Camp. They don't have "No Gathering Firewood" signs like the state parks do. They have "No Cutting Firewood" signs... much better.

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Another lesson (especially when a little boy had been asking to go camping for the past month), is don't give up. If all of the parks are closed and no camping site are available, it's not the end of the world. Sure we had to drive a distance but we finally got to go camping. We didn't let a little bit of water get in our way! We hope to go camping a lot more in the future.

Fun Day with Daddy

Travis didn't have the camera with him, but he and Bailey had a really fun day. They went to several shoes stores to try on running shoes. Bailey tried on running shoes too... men's sizes.

Bailey got to see a train up close as it passed a few feet away from where Travis was standing with Bailey on his shoulders. That was probably the highlight of Bailey's day.

They even tested out mattresses at a matress store. My back is telling me that purchasing one this year is a high priority!

Then they ate at Subway and Bailey was so hungry, he ate a 6" sub all by himself! Oink oink!

Since they were near the Trinity Trail in downtown Fort Worth, they went for a run and watched a helicopter land and take off, saw ducks and turtles in the river and watched kids sliding down a big hill.

What a day!

Singing

Travis beat me to the video camera. You'll see me running out of Bailey's room. I was going to get the camera. Bailey was sing Da Da Da to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, ABC's. He is turning into quite a singer.

I love those big eyes!

Distance Runner, Camping... Strike 2

Bailey ran almost non-stop for about 30 minutes today around his Musini. He stopped a couple of times long enough for me to see that he was really sweaty and to get a drink. We estimate he ran about a mile. I'm not sure why he decided to go on a run, but he had a good time.

Just in case you are wondering what the heck he is doing at the beginning, the Musini got stuck on a note and Bailey was trying to match pitches.

We were going to go camping this weekend, but the park once again said the trails were closed because they were still to wet. Hmmmm. We may just have to go to another park. Travis wants to write an article about the Woosification of America.

Drum Solo

Before this video was taken, Bailey had three cymbals (aka pot lids) and the tambourine held up around him. Since both Travis and I had our hands full, we weren't able to get a video. This is the drumming that following. Bailey is quite a musician.

Fun Day Inside

We had a lot of fun in the house today since it was wet outside.

I was cleaning in the kitchen and peaked around the corner to find the cushions off the couch and a little boy running back and forth.

Later Bailey did back rolls on our homemade "cheese."

He ended his day with a bath complete with Mickey ears.

Future Baseball Star?

Ice Cream!

I have a couple more back posts that I need to do, but these are too cute to wait! I love his ice cream mustache and beard!

Avery's Party, Camping... Strike 1

Bailey loved Avery's party at a gymnastics place. We prepared for it by watching lots of gymnastics videos on the internet. He calls it "nastics." Travis went with him on the zip line and trampolines. We both when through the big inflatable fish. Bailey did front rolls and tried to do a handstand on the floor. Overall, I think Travis has just about as much fun as Bailey.

Here's Bailey inside the big inflatable fish. He looks so old here.

While all of the other kids were watching Avery open presents, Bailey was crashing the other party. He was the youngest one there and still has a really hard time sitting still. Here is Bailey, with Travis's hand, pulling him into the big fish.

He he he!!! No words needed here.

We attempted to go camping after the party, but were told at the park that they would soon be closing the trails because the dirt would stain our boots. Later they added that we might mess up the trail. I can buy the latter response more than the first.

Vaccine Info

We don't watch much TV, so I don't have personal experience with the H1N1 propaganda on TV, but I hear it is running rampant. I also hear that children are bringing home vaccine info to parents and that vaccines will be given in schools. It is important that you do your own research, both the positives and the negatives including what is actually in the vaccines, and make your own decisions.

For vaccines in general you are probably thinking "They are required for school." Waivers are available in most states.

Dr. Admits Vaccine is More Dangerous than H1N1





Do Flu Shots Work - Ask a Vaccine Manufacturer


Link to site with lots of info so you can make a decision for yourself

This link isn't on the above website: Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting - goverment website.

Studies have shown that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to catching the flu. I am taking 2000 mg of vitamin D-3 and 1 tsp of Elderberry juice daily to ward off any flu. Increasing the elderberry juice, vitamin C and possibly some collodial silver will help to overcome the flu. I had some sort of flu a couple of weeks ago and it was gone in about 24 hrs with natural treatment.

As a side note, I have proof from a recent doctor's appointment that infections that we are told can ONLY be gotten rid of with antibiotics can be solved with colloidal silver. Just be careful with the stuff.

Potty Milestone

Bailey had a very good run at going #2 in the potty. After 13 days, he did have an accident today, but that is OK! We are VERY PROUD of him! He is improving when it comes to #1, but he still has a ways to go. He sometimes tells us when he has to go and asks to use the urinal when out and about with Daddy (probably because we don't have one at home... fun factor).

GOOD JOB BAILEY!

P.S. Keep an eye out for some back posting. I'm playing catch up again!

Rolling Pin Wheelbarrow

Bailey loves being a wheelbarrow. Here's a new twist on it.