Lake of the Ozarks

This weekend, our family spent a night out at the Lake of the Ozarks with some of our dearest friends, the Canatseys. It is, of course, January, but we were given a clear, 40+ degree weekend, and it was great. Beautiful and great.

I am somewhat new to the outdoors. Definitely in the dead of winter, or at any time when the weather dips below 60 degrees. I packed crafts, puzzles and games, thinking we'd be indoors the whole time. Mike thought I was crazy...I like to call it prepared for when the children are ripping up the floor boards and running through the house with knives.

It was a bit chilly, but we bundled the kids to play outside, go on very young-kid-friendly hikes and even brave a pontoon ride. Lots of fun, particularly for the kids, who are starting to forget what grass and fresh air feel like. If swear, if it doesn't have the stale smell of winter and the faint hit of some sort of virus/flu/disease, it's almost unrecognizable at this point in the year.

In case you're wondering, this is what it takes for a family of 6 to leave town for less than 36 hours. Keep in mind, neither Mike nor myself showered on our quick getaway. I didn't even change my jeans. So WE are not the problem (but I won't point fingers).

4 changes of childrens clothes, including socks (and we all know my HATRED for childrens socks)

2 changes of adult clothing (it seems I overpacked on this one)

4 sets of footie pajamas for the young 'uns

4 childrens comforters

10 stuffed animals

1 puzzle

1 Monopoly jr.

Pencil case full of pens/colored pencils

Construction paper

Plain white paper

Glue sticks

Scissors

Googly eyes

Pom-poms

12-pack of diet coke

1 Gallon whole milk

1 pound turkey meat

1 loaf potato bread

1 dozen eggs

2 bottles of chardonnay

1 very large bottle of Captain Morgans

Uncrustables peanut butter sandwiches

Pop-tarts

Oatmeal Bars

Cookies

Licorice

Kettle Korn

Frozen Pizza

Texas toast

Rice Krispie treats

Antibiotics

Diapers

Libby's feeding tube and formula

Matchbox cars

Toothbrush and toiletries (to keep myself one step ahead of disgusting)

Camera

Book

8 childrens movies

iPod