Well, we made it through the canoe trip.  And yes, I ended up paying the $46 that I was complaining about.  Watch out Jimmy, I am after my $46 now.  

Overall, it was a success.  Everyone got along well and we only tipped one time, of course it was my husband's fault.  But I have discovered that the key to tipping is the quick recovery.  You must be able to get back on your feet as fast as humanly possible and scoop up your belongings before they go floating down the river.  My husband and I have not tipped for several years now, so we were a bit out of practice.  But, it is just like riding a bike.  We got stuck under a tree branch and the canoe tipped to our left.  I immediately jumped back up and turned to the canoe, only to find my husband already had the cooler in hand with the lid closed tight.  I grabbed the cooler of vodka and lemonade, (very important) and we pulled the canoe back to shore.  After taking a second to regroup, we dumped the water from the canoe, reloaded, and off we went.  It was really hot at the time, so getting wet was somewhat of a relief.  And I came away with only one bruise and a slight sunburn.  

Leaving the campground, my husband and I found ourselves very excited to see our girls. Before we left, we made reservations to bring them to Huzzah Valley.  The First Annual Burton Family Float Trip will occur at the end of this month.  We rented a 6-man raft, and will camp for three nights.  We could not wait to get home to tell the girls and show them the brochure we picked up.  They are gonna love it!!  I think we are more excited about taking the girls than we were about getting away from them for a few days.  I can't wait to start a new tradition and eventually make this a big family event that we can look forward to every year.  

Watch Out Huzzah, we're coming back!!!  And we're bringing the girls!! 

   

 Well, made it through the busy holiday weekend, with only a minor sunburn and two sleepy girls.  Now we must spend the next few days recovering, as canoe trip weekend is fast approaching.  

Every year, for as many years as my husband and I have been together, and many years before that (separately) we have wrangled a group of friends together and made our way to Huzzah Valley, in Steelville, MO to camp and canoe.  The group of friends is never the same.  This is the time of year I get to meet new friends.  There is always a regular core of friends that show up.  But each year they introduce our tradition to new people, and our circle continues to expand.  Who will we meet this year?  Last year it was the garbage man and his wife (since then I make sure I tip my garbage men at Christmas time!!), and the coke-head and his girlfriend (who are no longer invited).  Every year I announce that I am no longer going to be the organizer of this trip, but every year I end up doing it.  For two reasons, I am sure.  One - that I am a control freak and if I want it done right, I will do it myself.  Reason number two - so I can be sure that those people I decided are not gelling with our group, are not invited again.  I like that power.  You can only go on our canoe trip more than once if I approve you.  I wish I had that power over everything in my life, that would be nice.  

So this week will be spent making lists, packing, calling people, and making final arrangements.  At least I don't have to find someone to take care of my dog this year (we had him put to sleep shortly after Thanksgiving last year).  The kids are going to grandma's.  I am sure my husband will call me a thousand times this week to remind to do this or to do that.  Breathe, relax and take it easy, it will all get done, it aways does.  (Am I convincing him or myself there??)

Anyway, here's to a week that will fly by way to fast, leading up to a weekend that goes by even faster.  Wish me luck!!