Arkansas Trip Part 2

The 2nd and final recap to our Arkansas recap was a trip back to the Bates family original homestead near Lake Quachita.

My grandfather purchased this land way before the lake was ever built, and actually helped in developing the lake.

After he reached a certain age he was ready to pass it on.

He left it to my Mother and her 5-siblings.

No one was interested in living 30-minutes outside 'town' in the country except my Uncle Gary.

So, he bought everyone out and developed the land into a beautiful homeplace where my younger cousin now lives.

They have added a screened in trampoline to the backyard and it was Shelby's first time to experience one.

She LOVED jumping around with her cousins!

 Just check it out!

 I was so excited for Shelby to meet her cousins Scout, Jayden and baby Jax.

Baby Jax is only a few months younger than Shelby and already has a baby brother on the way!

 After playing outside and inside Jayden's room filled with toys, we headed up to the lake for lunch with a bunch of other family.

15 adults in all and 5 kids!

 After lunch we hit the kiddie pool, the main pool, then Lake Quachita!!!

 What a GREAT family day with all my cousins and their children.

 We stopped at an island on the lake and swam around.

Lake Quachita is National Forest land and no one is allowed to build on it.

 A great way to end a wonderful family trip!

 I'm almost considering making this an annual trip for Shelby and I.

An awesome way for her to get to know her cousins!

Arkansas Trip Part 1

WE'RE BACK!!

Shelby and I got back last night from a 4 day visit back to my homeland of Arkansas.

As I mentioned the other day, all of my extended family still lives in Hot Springs, which happens to be a resort town surrounded by beautiful lakes.

I'm happy to report Shelby did good on both flights, but was better on the way home, and even took a snooze!

I'm going to document the trip is 2 separate posts.

The first 2 nights we stayed with Aunt Betty and Uncle Jimmy.

Shelby was anxious to help fill the bird feeder.

After breakfast I talked my parents and my Aunt into going down to the Gulpha Gorge.

This is a park that I grew up going to and I have so many great memories there.

I wanted to take Shelby down there and take a few pictures and have her experience the rushing creek and all the beauty that surrounds the place.

The Gorge has a great campground.

If we lived closer we would totally camp here.

Right near the water, scenic and close to Downtown where there are multiple attractions.

After, we headed home for a nap then cousin Eden made it in from Texas.

Her and Shelby are a year and half apart in age, and I graduated with her Dad(my cousin).

They had a great time together playing dolls.

Later that evening, there was a big family meal and boatloads of cousins and Aunts and Uncles made it over.

Shelby got to see her Aunt Jane again and enjoy he delish strawberry cake.

She also got to play with her cousin Lucky Drew who is only 2 months younger than her.

They were a hoot together!

My Mom and her 3 remaining siblings.

The next day it was all about the pool from the minute everyone woke up.

My cousin Blair and his family made it over.

You can see Bo in the back.

We all lunched poolside.

It was a great day!

Which included Shelby's first time to slide into the pool.

If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen that a few months ago that I was asking for prayers for my cousin Blair.

He was in the hospital for 3-months with complications from pneumonia.

So glad he's alive and getting better everyday!

Friday night Shelby and I packed up and went to spend the night with my cousin Kendra and her children.

She recently divorced and just a couple of weeks ago moved into her new house.

Shelby was loving cousin Bentley's new bed!

As were all the rest of the cousins.

These are the children of the cousins I grew up with.

So fun!

Me and my best girl cousins.

We are all one year apart in age, with me being the oldest.

Great first few days!

Tomorrow, details on our day on Lake Quachita with another set of cousins!!