Spring Break 2015 - No Cabin Fever! Yogi Bear Luray

This spring break we wanted to squeeze in one more year of enjoying Yogi Bear Campgrounds before we started to venture out in the world of Disney and other BIG spring break trips.  Here's the top highlights from our two part trip to the Cabins!  Part 1....

Nestled on a hill were two "skyline cabins" and home to the Manns and the Rings.   The boys would just run in the woods most of the time.

Most of our days were at the campgrounds, but we did take two excursions.  One day we on a beautiful hike in the Shenandoah State Park.  It was 2.8 Miles for the hike.  And we summited!  So proud of these boys!

 

Another excursion was to the Luray Rescue Zoo.  

 

OMG.  Those cheeks!

For those that have asked me about Luray and what the campgrounds are like----here's my top 10 highlights!  (note: we didn't even do everything that was there to do!)

#1 Jumping Pillow.  We'd do one thing, then jumping pillow.  Go do something else.  Then jumping pillow. Not bad for a bunch of old gals!

2.  Putt Putt & Paddle Boats!  

 

 

3.  Fishing for the boys & Corn Holes for the dads

 

4.  Yogi Bear Movie & Coloring Time (note: the Mann boys have never seen a Yogi cartoon and why would they?)

5.  Gem Mining & Easter Egg Hunts.  You know I was so surprised at how much the boys really enjoyed finding the gems and then figuring out which ones they were on this chart.  I don't know, I think we might have some future geologists in the fam!

6.  For lunch, we'd come back and feast! On our amazing golf carts.  These things were so much fun!

 

7.  Then our evenings would wrap up with boys making fire & Smores.  

 

 

8.  But not before one of our families would make a scrumptious dinner.

 9.  And the cozy cabin would quiet down and the boys would be lulled to sleep by the sound of the woods!  It's bedtime & books in bunks!

 

10.  And the parents would bring out the wine and catch up.  Mommy & daddy time! 

 

We'd start again the same plan the next day.....with yummy breakfast!  Daddy made mile-high waffles!

They will remember this forever.  But there's more....now onto part 2 of our trip..next post!
No cabin fever.

....And we all FALL down!

(For those that missed the last post....I am retro-blogging -- going back to the seasons I missed!)

It was a September to remember.  In general, remembrance is a good thing.  It takes you back to learn and puts your heart in the correct place---- overflowing with thankfulness.  We remember being excited and feeling a sense of exhilaration of what was to come.  It's so good to remember the zeal and remember our passion!

My middle child begins a new phase in his life.  He just absolutely LOVED kindergarten.  Oh that face.

Micah wasn't really enjoying 2nd grade at first, but wow something has happened....prayers answered...he loves what he's learning and he's really thriving!

This cutie couple below celebrated their 11th year anniversary.  I could do a whole blog post about this but being married to this man just keeps getting better.  When there's honesty, trustworthiness, safety and freedom - it's the kind of purity in a marriage that the deepest kinds of passion can flow.  Praising God!

In contrast, here's this young couple that didn't know each other at all.  At all, at all.  I cringe a little bit for them when I see them in remembrance, but I wouldn't change their journey for what is to come is so much better than both of them could have imagined.

For Patrick who is a faithful and strong leader, our Shepherd Group family all returned minus one couple and 1/2 partner and we began another very good year.  It's hard to believe that from September to now, so much has happened with the growth of this group and how we are really acting like a family.

I had a several speaking engagements in the fall, but probably the most exciting time was launching our first mom's connection meeting.  In hindsight, I remember a very clear calling and excitement and this was what the Lord was doing - building His church.   This was my 2nd year leading and I built up a new team, new goals, new vision and it was really fun to watch the Lord work.  In every aspect, I feel like we got better and we also doubled in size for our ministry!

Hmmhh....maybe waiting to blog is not a bad idea.  I find myself being GRATEFUL and HUMBLED by the gifts.  Some times we can go on cruise control and through the motions and not stop and realize all we've been given, all we've been through, and how the whole way-----God has been at work (John 5:17) and He just doesn't let up---for our good.  You just want to fall down in thankfulness.

Where in the world did you go??

Aaggh.  We fell off the face of the blog and I'm coming back.  I am!  This is me BACK ON TRACK! Sorry to family out of town and friends who follow us...we are still here, promise!

After our Charleston vacation in late August, we launched what seemed to be the busiest season in a long time....

September 2014...Caelan goes to Kindergarten, Micah to 2nd grade....Our Shepherd group of 20 that Patrick and I lead kicked off in September. The Mom's Connection Servants Team meet for a planning retreat in August and launch a new year in September and it went haywire from there...we had our 11th year anniversary, Caelan's birthday...good stuff!

So, I will retro Ring Fam Adventures from last fall (in big chunks) to make sure I didn't miss anything!  Please don't give up on us.  We love to share our lives with you. 

Charleston Family Vacation - The Review - Part 2 of 2

6.  Battery Park

The famous battery park with the "rainbow row" houses seen in the first picture is an icon for Charleston.  There is so much history here, but the kids - well they enjoyed climbing it....the trees...and dads....and canons!

 

7.  The Charleston Acquarium

This is the entrance to the acquarium where you get a few of the famous S.R. Ravenel bridge (another Charleston icon).  The acquarium was expensive even with coupons, but our kids LOVE to do this in every city. It was neat to see it from Tristan's eyes.

Lots of interactive stuff.

I made a friend.

8.  Waterfront Park

It was about 90 degrees that day so the fountain was a welcome respite.  Ninja Tristan and his brothers couldn't get enough.  There's also the pineapple fountain (another major icon).  

9.  Southern Food and Waterfront Dining and Sunset on the Marsh

There's something very intoxicating about Charleston's palm trees and marshes.  But the food is really different too.  Fried shrimp on grits, fried okra, and chicken and waffles together?  Yum!

Shem Creek has some really nice waterfront restaurants.

10.  Carriage Rides & Charleston Market

I included this as #10 because well....Charleston is known for the carriage rides through town, but we opted to NOT do it.  It was so hot that morning and we know OUR kids, but your kids might really enjoy the tour.  We saw the city market and walked around town.  

There's a sarcasm about Charleston that was funny.

Since #10 was so uneventful, I need to include that the best part of this day was visiting with my dear friend Jennifer and seeing her new family! 

Overall, I would highly recommend staying at the Isle of Palms because the beach was the highlight, but we thought Charleston something for everyone: kid fun, history and food for mom, and destroyers for dad.   Most of our days looked like this!