Christmas Meadows Fall 2010

Man oh man, it has taken me so long to get around to posting about our annual Christmas Meadows fishing trip.

But the wait is over!

Ummmm

If you were waiting that is.

First things first......lots of pictures......lots of fun.

This year we went with my mom and dad and my brother David and his family (5 girls!).

3 mini-vans

6 adults 

10 children

Good times!

Upon arriving at our favorite day-camping/fishing spot the men took to getting the most important part of our little camp site put together.

Our Alone Cone.....

....Fortress of Solitude....

.....P.P.T.P....

And yes that was the most important part because we had women and children there who do not want to use the bushes!

With that taken care of it was time for the men to come up with a plan of attack for the day and the fishing.

Checking the "Fishing Declaration" vert important!

While the men were busy getting fishing poles rigged and toilets set up the women were busily putting together our little sitting area/dinning area.

There was plenty of food and a couple of tables and lots of chairs but we could have stood to have a few more chairs.

Unfortunately our niece had a sprained ankle so this is where she spent her day. Luckily she had lots of books and cousins and sisters to keep her occupied.

When everyone's poles were rigged they all headed off to try their luck with the fall fishing scene.

MDH said he would spend one on one time with each of our kids helping them catch at least one fish.

First up was Mr. Man and wouldn't you know it he was the first to catch a fish! It was small but exciting to catch and then he was done fishing for the day. He was happy to play with his cousins and explore the stream.

There was the neatest little pool in the river.

You could look down and see the trout swimming in there.

I stood up above and helped to direct me dad so he could get his worm in the perfect spot.

It was the most amazing thing to watch the trout circle his lure and then kind of fight over the worm and then out of no where this fish zoomed up and grabbed the worm.

My dad expertly lifted the fish out of the water almost as quickly as it had hit his hook.

I found it fascinating.

I spy with my little eye two boys and their dad.

Can you?

Still two boys and their dad.

Can you find the hidden boy?

Yes, she's a dirt magnet.

But she's a cute one!

Of course my mom packed the most delicious picnik and we all loved it.

and

Yes, my brother is still 12.....at heart.

Modeling her mom's sunglasses with her cousin.

Doodle's fish story.

He tried for ever with his dad to catch a fish.....finally he wanted to take a break so MDH moved on to help one of the other kids. A little while later Doodle kept trying on his own but just wasn't having any luck.

Finally it was time to head home and Doodle was a little sad he hadn't caught a fish.

So his dad took him to try one last spot.

It took 2 casts and he had his fish.

He was so happy!

And, it was a big one too!

The next day we all got together for a giant fish fry (okay we cooked them in foil on the grill with butter and lemon pepper but fish fry just sounds better).

It was delicious. And it's a fun tradition.

We can't wait to go back