Easter Weekend at Fairfield lake S.P.2009

We hunted, we gathered, we got it all ready , coolers packed and tents ready we are on our way.Fairfield Texas here we come-

                

We hooked up the boat and hit the road. 

We arrived, selected the best and flattest site and began contracting our homes away from home.

The kids tent went up nearly without a hitch. Then on to Mom and Dad's, not so lucky. This was a new tent a enormous mansion of sorts 16 feet x 20 feet of what we thought would be pure heaven. OK not heaven but enough space to do whatever might be required if the weather turned on us. Off we went pulling poles through and went to lift the center section and "oh my goodness" what did we discover but no mental pins to attach the poles to the base of the tent. Who would have thought, I mean I know they say make sure you set your tent up before you haul it 90 miles away to a small town away from any major retailers,  but really who does that. Not the Mighty Macdonald's. OK, so my wonderful husband Seth "MacGyver" Macdonald rigged it up tight and we got all support pieces in place and went to lift the tent up and "rip" yep a large hole at the base of one of the center support sections. But have no fear we have duct tape!! Yes we are always prepared! so we got it done and ready to roll and filled it full of 

all our camping equipment. We got the canopy set up and nearly everything in place except the kitchen sink. Because that is how we roll! So the camp was set and now its time for dinner. Hamburgers & roasted potatoes. Yum Yum! Dinner was delicious wonderfully prepared by your truly and Seth at the grill. Then off for Night fishing and skipping rocks. It was a gorgeous sunset, one for the books I tell you! No fish were caught but the flowers, shells, wood and sunset were amazing. 

After an hour or so, we headed back to camp for smores and let me tell you I am the "QUEEN" of smore making!  Off to bed it was chilly down to 47 deg. through the night and we had to snuggle tight to stay warm. Morning came followed by pancakes! Then we were ready to run into twon to get some shrimp and worms for fishing! We had a plan we were going to catch the biggest red fish and tilapia anyone had ever seen. After getting back we loaded up the boat and off we went. The water was low and the boat ramp looked a little scary but have no fear the Macdonald's always figure it out. Unfortunately Seth did not think he would be getting wet since it was a fishing trip so he wore his working boots and jeans. That was going to be tricky without a dock for my Seth to get in the boat. So what did my wonderful husband do but get down to his "skiveys" (OH MY, yes I know and so did the elderly gentleman looking in awe from the top of the boat ramp), luckily he did not have to go too far in because their was a decent sandbar out to where the boat was.  It was quite the sight and of course i was laughing myself to tears. As Seth said, "what else was I to do?" my thoughts exactly but a lot bolder than I would have been. Have no fear we were on our way. We were so excited as we got out to the middle of the lake and the fish finder was going crazy with all the fish.  So Zach  and Seth quickly got their poles into the water. Keep in mind it was cloudy and windy probably 55 degrees or so. But I would not be deterred I was bound and determined to get some sun, this was my vacation too. So I took off my sweatshirt and jeans and as flat as possible lay sprawled out inside the boat not allowing a single part of my skin to extend beyond the height of the boat because I would freeze. It was hilarious as boaters would come by all bundled up and see two feet slightly up on the seat from inside the boat. By alas we forged on we fished all day, we saw 2 black tail deer, a family of pelicans swoop down and hover over the water in perfect synchronization, numerous birds. It was amazing and peaceful! The sun would come and go, the wind would come and go, but I am certain it never got warmer than 65 degrees. No fear I got plenty of sun through the clouds. It was a wonderful day. Later in the afternoon we headed back to the boat dock. I got out this time and went and pulled the truck back down little did we know getting it out would be ridiculous in comparison to getting it in. We maneuver, yelled and had three kids trying to center the boat and I pulled it forward, it was crooked and horrible. As frustrated as we were we pulled out and waited for the other boats to go and put it back in to center it out.  We finally got it done and headed back to camp for dinner. Grilled chicken and roasted potatoes ended the day and our tummies were full. 

We headed back to the lake for night fishing after the long day and enjoyed more skipping rocks and drowning worms. Still no fish, but at this point we did not care, it was great family time.  We headed back to camp to play games around a blazing fire and more smore's.  We played several games and I realized all this time my kids have grown up and I had missed it. We put together crazy one lined stories about monkeys and pinky fingers. Always creative when your working with a 6,8,10 and 12 year olds. Then we each got to say 5 words and told more stories. It was hilarious we laughed till our sides hurt.  Then off to bed. Only to be rudely awakened by torrential rains and winds around 4 am. The wind blew, lighting cracked, thunder pounded and at times we thought we might be swallowed up. We yelled back and forth from tent to tent to make sure we were alright and everyone stayed dry. Thank goodness for air mattresses. Everything was good until about 2 hrs in and mom and dad's tent started leaking, thank goodness it was time to get up and have easter egg hunt. Unfortunately raccoons got into some of the eggs and the rain took care of the rest. The kids hunted found the eggs and we had a family huddle. Decided it was time to go to town and see if we could find a place for breakfast. We went to Sammy's Diner. Biscuits and Gravy, Omelets, eggs and bacon, yummy everyone eat till their little hearts were content. It was a wonderful Easter Morning! After breakfast we headed back and began breaking down camp. We headed home, laughing and remembering the crazy memories we had just made this wonderful 1st camping weekend of 2009. It was a blast. 

I am so blessed to have 4 beautiful children, a husband who keeps me laughing at every turn. What an adventure!