Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving Weekend at Camanche

We made our annual trek to Lake Camanche to celebrate Thanksgiving. Mom planned some fun crafts for the girls to provide decoration for our Thanksgiving feast.


First craft...turkeys made from Popsicle sticks and Styrofoam balls. Here, mom sprayed the Styrofoam balls with brown spray paint. This turned in to the turkey's head.

While Grandma spray painted, the girls participated in one of their Camanche favorites. They love pretending they are the Statue of Liberty on the posts.
Another turkey craft completed. This one was a bit easier because they just had to glue the feathers to the turkey. Allison's is the top turkey. Love the crooked feathers. Adds so much personality to her turkey!


The girls had to paint the Popsicle sticks. Mom found some great water-less paint pens. Perfect for RV crafts!
The large sticks were a bit difficult to push into the Styrofoam, so Grandma did that part.
Aunt Bonnie read 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving while Grandma assembled the turkeys.
Ta-da! The finished product! Cute turkeys!
That first night at Camanche was FREEZING! We even let Creek sleep in the trailer and not the Suburban because it was so cold. I went to use the water in the morning and none came out. Allison and I went outside to investigate and found Creeks water bucket was frozen solid on the top!
Crazy cold!
We stayed inside until it warmed up a bit. It was Grandpa's turn to read 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.
Later in the afternoon the girls made their own mini pudding pies. They love shaking the pudding until it is ready and set.
Next we attempted to make butter. Allison started shaking her baby food jar filled with whipped cream and a pinch of salt.
Emma was double-fisted with her jars of soon-to-be-Thanksgiving-butter.
Mom was shaking...
and Aunt Bonnie too! The sad thing was that none of our jars really made the butter? Still don't know quite why it did because I've done this activity before and it worked great!
Emma bundled up to take Gunny and Sam for a brisk walk before our feast.
Turkey comes out of the fryer. Jeff loves frying turkey!
The girls form the dough into rolls. I've been asked lots of times what we do for Thanksgiving while camping and I always say we have the same meal that we would have at home with all the fixings!
Green beans...
...turkey carved...
...mashed potatoes mashed...
...stuffing cooked...
Raspberry Pomegranate Jello set...
...yams baked...
...rolls baked...
...the feast is served!
It was a delicious meal we all shared together.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Snuggle time after dinner with my girls.

On day 3 Creek was enjoying the sunshine.
Allison loved when Papa turned her upside down! She played while Emma learned to ride her bike without training wheels!
First, I hold Emma steady on her bike...
...give a small little push and away she goes...for a short distance.
Papa gives it a try assisting Em.
Holding steady on the grass!
Time to take it to the pavement!
A little wobbly at first.
Where are you going Emma?! She is truly a CRAZY driver! She's all over the road!



Allison stays far out of harms way as she walks Gunny around while waiting for Emma to ride her bike.
Finally...away she goes! So excited my 7-year-old can ride her bike without training wheels!!
She was so proud of herself, that she rode all the way down to the beach to tell Daddy about her new accomplishment.
Heading back from the beach. She looks like a Giant on the bike!
The old pro is now so excited to go for a bike ride with Grandma!
A beautiful Camanche sunset.
Family photos are always a must at sunset.






An end to a long day for the dogs!
Jeff captured a beautiful sunset while fishing. It was another great trip. Love spending it with family.