Let's meet at the Lodge

We were so lucky to have the chance to sneak away for the weekend down to The Lodge.  The boys count down the days until we pack up the car to head down.  It is such a beautiful place where the kids can enjoy the company of their cousins and have a blast being outdoors.  I have to admit I might be as excited or more to get there too because I love getting the chance to see my cousins also.  We arrived Friday evening and quickly unloaded the car and headed out back.  Uncle John had brought a load of wood down and Peyton put on his work gloves and boots and got to work.

Landon and Avery play on the play structure.

This is such a great picture.  The kids and adults love jumping on the four wheelers and taking them out on the 100 acres to explore the trails.

Saturday morning began with an adventure...James and Kelli had snagged some great inflatable floating rafts, boats, and canoes.  The plan was to get most of the adults down to the river and then bring the kids down as they inflated the rafts.

Kelli is loaded up making one of the many trips down to the river.

Once we arrived to the river, we quickly realized that some of the rafts had holes in them but we were committed to getting everyone in a floating device down the river.  The boys were blowing rafts up with foot pumps, generators, and leaf blowers.  Below is just a snap shot of the madness before it even began...

To keep the kids busy while we blew it all up, they took turns riding the little raft around the river gently down with the current.  

Just as we got everything blown up a rain storm came through.  Yep, we were all down on the river bank ready to jump in the boats and it starts down pouring on us.  We all quickly cuddled together and covered our heads.  

It was a cold rain too.  Check out Peyton in the left corner covering his head with a piece of cardboard.  

Here is our family selfie as we cover our heads with the boat. 

We all loaded into the boats

Carter and I floated down on this raft.  Since we didn't have a paddle I used my flip flops to get us down the river

This tiny canoe had its first voyage with Chad and James

The view down the river was beautiful.

As we paddled down the river we passed a campground and many people came to the riverbank to gawk at the crazy people in the river...that would be us.

Uncle Edd switched with me and glided down the river while he quenched his thirst

At the end of the trip, Uncle John came and picked us all up and drove us back to The Lodge.

Here is the crazy crew back from our maiden river voyage

A trip to The Lodge wouldn't be complete with out the "EXTREME HAYRIDE".

We all climbed aboard and set off!

What happens when the trees get in the way? Brian uses the hedge trimmers to cut as we drive by

Bob turns into a teenage boy when it comes to riding the four wheelers with the boys.  They argue over who gets to go with Bob. 

Not only is the scenery amazing, but the time we get to spend with our family is priceless.  We are so lucky and thankful to be able to visit The Lodge.