Little Ocmulgee State Park

This past weekend we took the first of what we hope will be many trips to GA State Parks. And, best of all, we did it in our new pop-up camper! Along with Grammy, we traveled to Little Ocmulgee State Park in Helena, GA, near McRae. The entire weekend was a blast! We arrived at dusk on Friday evening, got the camper set up and familiarized ourselves with the camp ground area…playground nearby and bathhouse up the hill. On Saturday we went to the Trading Post, met some native snakes, turtles and frogs, walked out onto the boardwalk over the lake, played on the playgrounds, found the Splash Pad and the Nature Trail. Then we had lunch and a little rest time before heading to the Splash Pad for some water fun! Brian took a 2.6 mile hike on the Oak Ridge Nature Trail then we all joined up at the pool. We grilled hotdogs for supper, visited with the Jackson family (our campground neighbors who ironically enough were from Macon!), watched for shooting stars and just enjoyed the outdoors and being together. On Sunday morning we ALL went on the 2.6 mile hike. Towards the end Brice got tired and begged to be held. He also grabbed a cactus, which didn’t help his attitude. We never saw a (much hoped for) alligator but we still had fun. Straight from the hike we went to the lodge where we all thoroughly enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch…fried chicken, pot roast, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fried okra, corn, rolls, salad and desserts of all kinds. It was wonderful to have such a great meal cap off our terrific weekend! After the big meal we went back to the camper to rest then we started packing up to head home. As we made our way back to Macon we began flipping through the State Park guide to plan our next get-a-way. And, for the record, here is everyone’s favorite thing…Brian: sitting outside the camper at night enjoying the outdoors, Grammy: the hike, Sam: the Splash Pad, Brice: “be dark” (which is most ironic because all he could talked about before the trip was being scared of the camper because it’s dark), and I most enjoyed watching my boys experience camping for the first time and their freedom to roam the great outdoors. This was awesome and I'd highly recommend at least giving it a try!


Our campsite.


Breakfast outside!

Splash Pad

Brice darted around like a water bug the entire time. He was beside himself with excitement!

Ready to hike!

The Spanish Moss was unbelievable!

We tried but didn't see a Gopher Tortoise...

Looking for an alligator.

Everyone looks pretty happy considering this is at the end of the 2.6 mile hike!

Saying good-bye!

Good times at the lake...

Little water-bug.


Ready to ride!


Sam showing us the moonwalk.


Digging for treasures.


Eating lunch by the lake.


Sam & Brice, Nicholas & Nathan...2nd cousins who had a blast together and never a cross word!

Brian hot-doggin' on the jet ski.

On your mark - get set - GO!

2-year check up

Our Brice-man had a great 2-year check up. Dr. Slade announced that he's perfect, which we all knew, and despite Brian's inquiry...NO, he's not possessed! ;-)

It helps to have pretty nurses!


Brice stood on the scale for the first time. He's 33.5 inches tall and weighs 26.5 pounds.


He took his shots like a man and immediately asked for a sucker! He did just as well for his finger prick.


Then later that evening he played a little nude baseball. Just a "day in the life"...

You had to see these too!

A VERY special thanks to Kevin & Pammie Jimmar and the G-Ryders motorcycle club for making Brice's 2nd birthday such a hit!





Now THIS is a happy boy!

Giggles after "accidentally" revving the engine!

Brice's day!

Sunday was BRICE'S DAY! Ever since we picked them up from school on Thursday, following our Vegas trip, Brice has been asking to go on a boat ride. So we loaded up the cooler and all the gear and headed to the "monkey river" (it's actually Ocmulgee River). The river was VERY low so the trip was short; but Brice was happy! Then we came home to get ready for his "hap bir-cake party". I think the pictures speak for themselves.





Brice sang the entire "hap bir-cake" song with everyone.

A Harley shirt from Aunt Emme and Uncle Dave.

The pure thrill and excitement at seeing the motorcycle "gang" coming down the street for the party. They were a little late so most everyone had left but these cousins sure were happy! Brice ran into the yard screaming, "Bice's party, Bice's party!"

Brice taking Avery for a "ride".

Sam having a serious conversation about filling up the gas tank.

Independence Day in Moreland, GA

Sam playing kickball


Taking a break from the slip-n-slide


Brice was determined to get on Sam's bike, with helmet, even though he couldn't go anywhere!


Emma's American flag

My baby

It did my heart good to know that even though Brian and I were in Vegas on Brice's actual birthday, July 1, my mom had a little "party" for him at their house and invited Grammy too. Sam and G-mama made cupcakes the night before and took them to school for all the classmates - just like I would've done had I been here. Well, except for the fact that I would've taken store-bought!

Vegas baby...

We went to see the Cirque de Soleil show, KA', and it was amazing! This guy was one of the characters that greeted us.


With our friends and fellow Rainbow owners from Birmingham, Kelly & Michelle Anderson.


Our view from the 41st floor of Caesar's Palace...wow!


Our room...awesome!

We spent a few days in Las Vegas for the Dwyer Group/Rainbow International annual Reunion. Fortunately for us, this time what happened in Vegas did NOT stay in Vegas. I'll just say that I'm excited about my husband's new found love of Craps and proud of the techniques he picked up in Sin City!