Over the 4th of July weekend, we joined my sister's family, the Brooks family, and the Tubbs family in Big Bear. We originally weren't going to take this trip due to expenses, but my sister invited us to just stay in her trailer for a couple of days, and share in the activities with them so it would be of minimal cost for us. Well it turns out that on my sister's last camping trip, they suffered a tire blow out, causing some damage to the side of their trailer. So it had been in the shop and was supposed to be finished by the time they went to Big Bear. Well, it wasn't, so Karen and Rich borrowed our trailer! Which made us guests in our own trailer. That's really funny!

Anyways, we headed up after Dave finished work on the 3rd and stayed until early evening Saturday. We had such a great and blessed time. These are some of our favorite people on the planet, and we always have such a wonderful and relaxed time together. Some of the highlights of the trip:

FISHING: The boys had a fantastic time fishing just steps from the campsite. A lot of the kids caught various small fishies, but Vance and Rebekkah Brooks both caught a good sized catfish. We cooked up their fish, and they partook of them together. It was so cute. Vance didn't leave a tad of fish on the bones. I think TJ ended up polishing off Bekka's.

FIREWORKS: On the evening of the 4th, we drove around the lake and found a beach spot to sit and view the fireworks. We weren't really sure if we were going to be able to see them from where we were at, but it proved to be a great spot. We enjoyed the long fireworks show together right there at the edge of the beautiful (creepy and dark) lake!

JETSKIING/PONTOONING: The Brookses brought their large jetski and everyone rented a pontoon, so we spent the day after the 4th going on the boat, jetskiing, and swimming at the beach area. It was beautiful weather, couldn't be more enjoyable.

JUMP-ROPING: The kids all had a ball playing jump rope games. Some of us adults (go Uncle Rich and Mrs. Brooks!) even took part. I guess it just brought me back to a place I haven't been in a really long time. I had a lot of fun (and proved I still have some inkling of coordination in this body of mine-quite a surprise).

EATING: This is always one of my favorite things to do camping. We always try new things and share meals together. It is such a memory-building part of our trip. This time we tried some new desserts in place of the boring old s'more. We did "banana boats", apples and caramel, and peach cobbler in foil packets over the bbq. Amazing. And it had fruit in it. So that means it was healthy. And don't try to tell me any different. Hey folks, that's why I work out. And as the Pioneer Woman would say, "Don't you judge me!"

All in all it was such a great time. I am so thankful for family and friends and the beauty of God's glorious creation.