Florida / Georgia camping trip 2009

Du...Na...Nu...Na...Nu...Na...Na... Nu...Batman!

For the past 5 years we've made a tradition of going camping on Fl/Ga football weekend.
We started off at Oleno... with Alumium foil and rabbit ear antenna to get reception for the game... we've gradually worked our way into a more elaborate redneck event. Now we're at Manatee Springs... with even more family and friends... and the tradition continues!

Mommy's lil' batman!

Oh no... he's revealed... his bat footie came off!

It's Jakie Jake!

I made him his own custom fit black leather suit- Fun Fun Fun
(even though I broke my sewing machine on it!)

We dressed all the kids up like super heroes this year.

Kev and Chris...

"nice look guys"
The mom's and dad's all wore wigs and t-shirts to match!

We took a walk to the playground in our costumes...
I think the dad's were embarrassed.
(Not sure what on earth for)
"Nice mullet Joel"

Megan was part of the "super" family for the day... so her and Evan could match characters.
Super-Boy + Super-Girl

They've grown a lot since Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm.

Meet the smallest Super hero...
Lil' Eric was Spiddy!
(I made his little spiderman costume too)

... My kiddos are pretty super!

Megan loves her little brother!
(I love his little bat ears!)

Silly mommies!

Megan cracked me up when I came out of the camper wearing this wig.
She kept saying...
"what is that? what is that?"
I think she meant... who the heck are you?

Nae Nae was sportin' the blondy look!

Jen was stuck in the 70's!

My Super-Girl!

Daddy is all wrapped up!
Kev's wig had us laughin'

This is Megan trying to fly... she was making the swooshing sound!
(sorry... I can't do the sound effects)

"hmm... I think maybe I could fly up there"

Camp Life

... Jake and Kev snuggling in the camper.

"Hey dad... it's time to get up"

Megan like helping daddy with his morning coffee.
(I think she looks just like Olivia in this picture)

Boy bonding time!

Taking a dip in the springs!

(The moms went in later... for a girly dip... but decided no photos were needed!!!!)

The water felt AWESOME... very refreshing!

Nice catch Evan!

... about 1 second before the Megan's ball hit Evan in the face!

Bull's eye!

Go Gators!

... Nana... gettin' Jacob's toes!

Grandpa Joel was trying to make Eric smile too!

Nice one!
Camping brings out the CRAZY in everyone!
... Is there extra HAPPY in the air?

Morning coffee and breakfast!

... another new camper this year!
I'm sure Chris has a lot more camping trips ahead with his son!

...fresh out of bed look--- yikes!

... taking a walk by the river.
"I love you Kev!"

We took one last walk before packing up to go home...
looking forward to camping again next year!


Now to back it up a few days...
(The night we arrived!)
We're bringin' back the TIE-DIE!

Earlier in the week... Jen and I attempted tie dying with the kids. It really turned into us tie dying... and telling the kids to watch...
"stop"- "don't touch"- "stay out of the die"- "go play over there" etc.
They were supposed to be orange and black for halloween...
but the orange came out yellow... and it looked dirty.
Bummer!
so the next day we tried again and re-dipped the same shirts in blue... and were happy with the improvement!

Got my boy in a "love lock"

Oops... I can't believe we forgot to make lil' Jakes shirt!
It was a crazy afternoon... and in the midst of tie dying... we forgot to make the baby-T.
I don't think he minds!

... Jen had to catch Evan for a picture.
... he was having too much fun digging in the dirt!

Notice: Dark outside!
We set out for the camp ground just after nap time.
(Plenty of time to get there and set up before sunset)

What we didn't plan for is 2 flat tires!
"What a freakin' mess!"
6 miles down the road a lady wasn't paying attention and ran us off the road... 65 miles an hour with a huge camper pulling behind.
Nice!

Me Screaming:
"the camper!"
Kevin:
"Do you think I don't know that?!"

... we kept going... and then noticed smoke from the flat tire burning.
... oops... got a flat!

... oops again... no spare tire!
... we waited
... and waited
and then finally the guy came out to the 4 lane highway and put a new one on.
(after taking an axe to the frame to remove the twisted existing tire)
Kev and I were looking at each other like... is this a customary technique?
... he did mention it was his 2nd day of work! (nice again)

3 kids strapped in the back seat... and 1 hour later... headed on to the camp ground.
... oops again!
10 miles down the road... the newly replaced tire got another flat!

Kevin:
"Are you freakin' kidding me?"

... so on and so on...
we stopped traffic to back down a side road in Cheifland...
and the man proceeded to tell us...
he didn't have anymore tires...

"It's friday after 5:00 you're gonna have to wait till morning and see if my boss might give you a credit for that one..."

Kevin:
"for 10 miles?"
"Oh I'm gettin' a credit!"

Meanwhile...
Jen was taking the kids for their second pee break!
Megan went on the side of the highway earlier...
and Evan was currently watering a tree on a dirt road in town.
(We were marking our trail all the way to camp!)

Sounds like a redneck camping trip to me!