June 7, 2026-State Park Camping during Camp Week

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This morning Robby and I woke up and started moving around because it was supposed to rain around lunch, and we had a few things we wanted to do before the rains came. Today at the visitor's center at Lake Charles, while talking about the lower lake levels, the lady said that they are always calling for rain here, and it never rains. It didn't rain here until 5, and the all day of rain that was predicted just ended up being for about 20 minutes so the rain never messed up our plans.

We walked the dogs this morning on Cedar Trail which left our camping loop and walked around the lake-well, around some of the lake. It is a 645 acre lake which is a good little bit. Our walk ended up being over a mile and a half by the time we made it back to the camper. We achieved our purpose-make the dogs tired.

Bentley hopped up on the couch, and she probably stayed there until we returned hours later. Marley wasn't too keen on going in her kennel, but she did with the promise of a treat. Robby and I then left go to Davidsonville Historic State Park. It was another lake, but it also had a huge town that they were discovering from an archaeological dig-though they weren't digging today, and possibly they haven't done much with some of the park in years.

Our next stop was a Sonic for a bite to eat in Pocahontas. Then we drove around Williams Baptist college in Walnut Ridge-it was not what I was expecting. Also in Walnut Ridge, the have a little park dedicated to the Beatles. The Beatles landed one weekend night in Walnut Ridge to change planes into a smaller plane to go to a ranch in Missouri for the next night. Someone heard the large plane coming in and sent some teenagers to check it out. They knew who they were, and word got out so when the Beatles returned from their trip to get back on their plane, the whole town was there to greet them.

Next up was another Sonic where we bought our supper, followed by our last state park of the day: Powhatan Historic State Park. This was a nice preserved courthouse with a friendly park worker. We walked around the courthouse, and then we walked down to see some of the other preserved buidlings.

From there, we hurried back to the camper since we had been gone a few minutes. We took the dogs and headed on another walk. Our phones said rain was coming, but we trusted the park lady and pressed on. As we were about to take one long trail, a man drove up and cautioned us of the mosquitoes in the woods. That was all the warning we needed.

We kept walking on the main road until we came to a short trail in the woods but not near the lake. We did it, and by the time we made it back to the camper with the dogs, they were ready to come in again. It is odd that they know their way to the camper and start pulling on their leashes once we get close.

Since then, we have just been in the camper, and it's been wonderful. I've finished one book and started another. Robby has worked and worked on drawers and cabinets and moving things around. I'm about to fix our supper, and then we will probably take the dogs on another little walk. 

June 6, 2026-State Park Camping during Camp Week

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This was a fairly busy Saturday morning. The first real happenings were Robby going outside to work. He did admit that he possibly has ADD because he bounces from task to task especially when he is working outside. One of the task that he bounced to today was mowing the yard. 

I was in the kitchen and heard something hit the big kitchen window. I glanced at it and breathed a sigh of relief that whatever the lawnmower threw over there didn't break it. However, I didn't look close enough-right in the bottom corner, there is a hole from a rock. Thankfully, it is in the corner and just dinged one pane. Robby thinks there is something he can buy to put in it to stop it from spreading to save some time before replacing that window.

Next up Anderson and Whitman left for hair cuts. Anderson felt like his was a little short, but it looked good though. Whitman's might not have been short enough, but it also looked nice. When they made it home, I made Whitman take a shower to get the hair off of him. He was adamant that there wasn't any hair on him, but I was even more adamant that he would take a shower still.

My first trip was to drop off Campbell and Graham at church to go down to camp at Ouachita. First though, they wanted to stop at ChickFilA. I stayed long enough at church to check them in, but then I told my two bye and left. I dropped off books from the library and headed home.

I wasn't home long, but Robby arrived with lunch for everyone. We all ate, and then I was back in the van dropping off Whitman and Keaton for camp. Whitman is not crazy about camp, but he walked right in and started talking to a friend. I ran to the store on the way home, and when I made it home, the Wilsons came over for a little bit delivering us treats from their getaway to NWA.

Then Robby and I said bye to Anderson who is holding down the fort this week, and then we were off. We headed to Lake Charles State Park. It was a two and a half hour drive, and we just sailed here. We had no trouble-except both of the dogs wanted to sit in my lap. I have a blanket in my lap because of their sharp nails, but since my legs were crossed, my legs went to sleep!

Lake Charles State Park is in the middle of nowhere, but it is pretty. We have the best campsite-we are right on the lake. We got here, unhooked, and Robby set everything up. Then we walked around our loop and another loop. There are a few trails, which we didn't do tonight because we were hungry, but we may not get to do them tomorrow because it might rain.

We had a baked potato for supper which was really good-or maybe we were really just hungry. We then sat inside. Robby worked while I read and even napped. Now, he has just had his shower, and I'm going to take mine soon. My book has gotten good so maybe I can read some more tonight.

June 5, 2026

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• This was the first morning this week that we didn't have to wake up super early. I still woke up at a decent time and started on my chores. Robby soon ended up on top of the camper working on the roof.
• Campbell was the first one to leave this morning to go to a birthday party, plus she had a few errands to run to get ready for camp. Keaton and I left next because she was eating brunch with some friends. While she was doing that, I got my hair cut and ran around Walmart buying Graham a few things for his dorm room. 
• When I came home, I helped Anderson fill out some paperwork. Then I left for a meeting at church. Anderson also left to check out what he has to do on Monday. We both made it home about the same time. 
• Then the next item on my list was to pack the boys. Campbell and Keaton to not need any help packing, but Graham always wants me to help him put everything in his suitcase. Of course, since he takes about 50 changes of clothes, he definitely needs help. Whitman could probably do decent, but he is still my baby so I probably do too much for him.
• Campbell and Keaton left in the middle of their packing to go and babysit this evening. Robby brought home some supper for everyone. Currently, Robby and I are eating healthy pretzels on the couch while the big boys are playing basketball outside. 

June 4, 2026

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• This was the last day for Camp Geyer this year, and we all survived, and we all even had fun. When my group finished, the janitor man swooped in before we could even finish cleaning and took over. We let him! We had been leaving our room super clean and neat each day though.
• Whitman and I went down to the Family Day while Keaton, Campbell, and Graham spent some time cleaning up the sanctuary. We ate, and then Whit and I left to run to Kroger to pick up his camp snacks. 
• After that, we met Anderson and then Robby at Top Golf. We played quite a few games-then Anderson and Robby tried to hit the ball as far as they could. My Top Golf skills have not improved or become more consistent at all! Though I do think that Whitman can hit the ball further than when we started.
• I have a few things on my summer bucket list-the first thing I completed was finishing my blanket yesterday, but today after golf I went to Barnes and Noble to complete another item on my list. (Going to Barnes and Noble). Even though I have a gift card from there, I still didn't buy anything. I did enjoy looking and have a few ideas of things that I want to buy.
• When I came home, I worked on some paperwork with Anderson and some thank you notes with Graham. Robby brought home supper for everyone, and right now no one has left to go out tonight. I think that the girls are leaving soon though, and possibly the big boys are outside playing basketball now.

June 3, 2026

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• Day 3 of Camp Geyer, and even though we made the same things as we did on Monday, today was a super adventure. The cookies spread way over where we couldn't see names. Plus one cookie burned, which caused us to have to make 4 cookies out of 3. We were able to do it successfully, but it was a bit like Jesus feeding the 5,000. \
• The girls were supposed to babysit after Camp Geyer, but the kiddo was sick so Keaton went shopping with Graham. Campbell urged me to stop at ChickFilA on the way home-she bought her meal and bought Whitman a shake. As we were picking up our food, Graham and Keaton were there picking them up some food as well.
• When we came home, Campbell went to work painting a sign, and I did some chores. When Graham came home, he was home for a bit, but then left again with Anderson to play soccer. While they were gone, Campbell left to meet up with her friends. 
• Robby came home with supper for everyone-Whitman and Keaton were the only ones here so they got first pick. Then boys came home and grabbed supper and quick showers. Then Graham left for volleyball, and Anderson left to watch a basketball game at someone's house. We truly should live in Bryant.
• Keaton has been busy packing for Collide, and Whitman and I played a new game. It was an easy game so it didn't take us too long to learn it and play. Now, I'm on the couch trying to keep my eyes open to read my new book. 

June 2, 2026

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• Camp Geyer day 2-today in my group we made three recipes: grilled cheese bombs, ritz cracker sandwiches, and tea sandwiches. It was fun and even though we melted our butter too soon, everything went super smoothly today.
• It was hat day, and unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Whitman, but he wore a massive hat. Campbell also wore a hat; I'm not really sure if she will stick with Camp Geyer or move back down to Camp Geyer Jr. next year. I see Campbell and Whitman, but I didn't see Graham or Keaton usually during the days. 
• While we were at Camp Geyer, Reagan left for her next week at camp. She is super enjoying it, but I hated that we weren't there to say bye. Robby was around when she left and had filled her car up with gas. 
• After Camp Geyer, we met Anderson at Nonna and Pops' house. They had quesadillas ready and waiting on us. Everyone ate quite a few, and then Campbell left to take Keaton to a camp planning party. Campbell then went on to church to help get things ready for camp. 
• I picked up Keaton this afternoon, and we ran to a few stores on the way home. We did buy her a pineapple, and I decided to buy some bananas. I didn't know that Robby had also bought bananas today! I guess we might just have some banana bread in our future. 
• When we made it home. I made a meatball subs for supper. It seems like we have that alot, but it is a favorite of the boys for sure. After supper, I tried to finish my blanket, but I think that I will have to finish it another day....hopefully tomorrow. 

June 1, 2026

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• Today was the first day of Camp Geyer so we were all up early. I had intended to wake up earlier than I did and walk; Graham also planned to wake up early to run, but neither of us did! We slept for every last minute that we could.
• My cooking class was fine today-we had about 32 kids and made sugar cookies and oatmeal cookies. Surprisingly, the cookies all turned out pretty good. It didn't take us too long at all to set back up for tomorrow.
• When Camp Geyer was over, Campbell ended up going shopping with friends while everyone else came home. Reagan was also on her way home for her 24 hours off. She didn't come home with nearly as much stuff today, but she is enjoying her group-she is was 11th graders and has a good group of co counselors.
• This afternoon, Robby and I took Bentley and Marley to the vet. Marley got a heartworm shot while Bentley got a few other vaccines. I'm glad that Robby was there to help out because I couldn't have done the vet alone.
• When we came home, I worked around the house some-still catching up on laundry plus we had Reagan's laundry. Robby came home and brought Reagan some lunch, and when Campbell was out shopping, I had her pick up a few things for Camp Geyer tomorrow.
• Our big activity today was cleaning the camper and reloading it with all clean things. We even made supper for everyone tonight and sat at the table and ate. The boys played basketball this evening for a long time outside.
• Now, Bentley has already asked to go to bed, and I don't think that we are far behind her.