Rowan Extravaganza: Toledo Bend

Every year Andy's company has this big extravaganza in Louisiana.  We have only been once due to having babies, general conference or other conflicting issues, but we did have fun the time we did go!  We didn't think we were going to make it this time either due to some work issues Andy was having (oh the irony eh?), but it ended up working out (thanks to a husband who worked well into the wee hours of the morning!) and I am so glad we went!
The company put us up in a cottage since we were considered a very large group (HA!).  They kept giving Andy a hard time about it because we are too big for a hotel room :)  It was very quaint, notice the crib in the kitchen!  Very Disneyland-ish in size.  Everything was very small.  The stairs were super tiny which led to the loft, where the kids slept, that was just barely the height of Kaylee.  Needless to say they thought it was the coolest thing EVER!

 The last time we came to the Extravaganza we thought it would super fun to go canoeing.  And we were successful and had a GREAT time.  So we thought we should make it a tradition.  Well our canoe guy was gone on business, and the other options were closed for the season :(  So we explored the Toledo Bend State Park instead.  It was gorgeous.  The weather was nice and the kids had fun despite the setback, which was a blessing in and of itself!

Sam is such a smiler.  I just love the sincerity in her eyes when she smiles, she genuinely seems so happy.  My heart smiles when I see he smile.

They all had to find walking sticks, and even found one for Sam. 

I LOVE this shot.  Can you say FRAME ME? 

I hope these two stay good friends as they venture on through life.  They have drifted a little in the last year or so, but this moment brought them right back.  Love them. 

Our best effort at a self portrait :)  Not too bad eh? 

There was a sweet lady fishing that my children took particular interest in.  She eventually caught a fish and let the kids touch it and throw it back in the water.  Of course they thought that was the best thing ever! (Well, maybe Kaylee didn't...look at that face!) 

Rowan provided some fun games, from their version of the Amazing Race to crafts.  They had a carnival set up and the kids really enjoyed every aspect of it.  They particularly loved the beanbag toss!  Tyler, Audrie and Kaylee really got into it and played for quite a while.  Even Sam had to take a turn eventually! 

 

 

 The main event took place right off the Toledo Bend Lake beach. They fed us dinner and then started a door prize raffle event.  Remember how I said we were considered a very large group?  Well that payed off in this event.  It did the last time too.  We each got a ticket and won several items including a very large, all terrain, wheeled cooler.  The most random thing ever.  It was HUGE.  Still don't know what to do with it.  The funny thing is the last time we went we won TWO small coolers.  So we are set to have all refrigeration in coolers....if necessary...HA!  The best part (according to my children) was when the raffle ticket number for the final prize was called out.  Andy said, "Hon.  That's you, go take up your ticket!"    I wasn't even paying attention to what the item was.  I was more preoccupied thinking about how in the world we were going to get that massive cooler home.  So I walked up to grab the box he was handing me thinking, "I wonder what this could be."  As I walked to my seat I peaked inside the box and was utterly SHOCKED to find that it was an iPad 2!  I couldn't believe it!  Pretty awesome though. 
All in all a great time and I hope we can continue to go these events as long as Andy works there :)