Degray Lake State Park!!

We made it to Degray Lake State Park by 1:30pm on Wednesday, June 8^th! Wow, can I just say Arkansas is BEAUTIFUL. We are so grateful for the guy who sold us this camper. He told us to go through Arkansas. Seriously a hidden gem! We set up camp pretty quickly yet again. A little different from what we had before but super nice. We were just a small path away from the lake; perfect spot to stick your feet in and throw rocks in the water. Downfall? The bathrooms were a bit far, and I definitely had to hop in the car or on my bike to go there. We just made the kids pee in a bush lol. Not for me though!! =P

When we first checked in, the staff gave us schedule of all tactivites and events going on for the next couple days. This included things from learning to build your own fire, to swimming tours, arts and crafts, hikes, and even lake cruises! So, the first night we went on a sunset cruise on a pontoon boat! We could not have asked for a more beautiful night! They took us around the lake and gave us a little history on the lake.

 Making herself at home of course. Haha we were cracking up at this point. Silly girl!

Thursday was a our BIG BIG Surprise for the kids!!! We surprised them with horseback riding!! They were so excited! An hour ride along the lake, it was perfect! We saw a couple deer and a turtle along the way! The view of the lake was breathtaking! It was early in the morning, so the water was like glass! And for those wondering, none of us were sore!!! Haha!

Thursday afternoon, we went back out on the pontoon boat for a 2 hour “Swim Cruise”. We cruised the lake for a half hour or so and then went into a cove where we swam for a little over an hour. The water temperature was refreshing but I have to say there were a little too many warm spots!! Noah enjoyed jumping off the back steps and Kam had fun just bobbing and spinning in circles. The smiles on their faces lasted the whole time. PERFECTION! Unfortunately (but not), I spent all my time in the water, so not many pictures were taken of the kids swimming. ;)

We got back from the Swim Cruise around 5, so we spent the rest of the night BBQing and playing. Kam was out by 7:15, she was exhausted!! I don’t blame her! It was actually very relaxing to just enjoy the camp area. We have been on the go and always working on something since we started this adventure, so Greg and I really were happy to just play with Noah in the area. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed all the activities as a family at this location but just a relief to just "chill" at the campsite. :)

 SO STRONG! ;)

Leaving Arkansas, I am blown away by not only it's beauty, but how kind everyone was. Everyone says hello and I can't tell you how many times we received compliments about how sweet and beautiful our children were. 

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas!!

We made it to Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas around 7pm on June 6th. Greg and I are really starting to get this whole camping thing down. We were definitely on a roll when it came to "popping" out that camper! It took us a little over an hour to get all set up. BAM BAM BAM, high five, awesomeness. P.S. Greg is only wearing a sweatshirt because of bugs haha. 

The Kids were a nice little help, too! (when we allowed them haha!)

Even though it was late, we made sure we had a little campfire before bed ;)

The next morning the weather was perfect and so peaceful. One of my favorite things about camping is waking up on a “cool” morning and relaxing with a cup of tea! Noah sleeps like a rock in this camper! He just looks so sweet!

                                       

We just got this hammock at a Bass Pro Shop along the way. Definitely HEAVEN! The kids absolutely love it, too. Especially Kam when it comes to rocking her baby.

Later that morning we headed out on a 2-2.5 mile hike to a waterfall called Cedar Falls. Greg had Kam in the backpack and Noah hiked the whole way! I am not going to say this hike was easy, Greg and I were very impressed with Noah! The first part of the hike was climbing down about 200 feet. Lots of rocks and tree roots on the ground. So much fun!

 We got to this awesome bridge going over Cedar Creek. It was a two person bridge only! It was pretty neat and the kids loved.

I think Kam had the most luxurious hike of all, she even fell asleep on the way to the waterfall!

We made it!! And it was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!!!!!!!!! Noah cried a little just before we got there but even he thought it was worth it! He thought it was so worth it, it took us half the time to get back! He was literally running at the end. He was testing his mama and her ability to hike up 200 feet!! Anywho, off track, here’s the beautiful waterfall. We packed a lunch and were able to find a flat rock to sit on and enjoy!

 Well that was that with Petit Jean! The hike really was the highlight of the trip! We did spend some time at the pool where they had a diving board. Noah loved that of course and Kam enjoyed being a little fishy.

Trip to Nashville!

Off to Nashville we went to see our friends/old neighbors from Key West; Rob, Jenny, and Carter who we haven’t seem for over a year!

The day was planned for around 700 miles meaning an 11 hour drive. Driving at 60mph pulling this trailer, it took us 13 hours and 21 minutes! The kids seriously rocked that day, Greg and I could not have been more proud! Proud of us as well for keeping those kiddos happy and entertained.

We were definitely lucky to have been given some wonderful gifts for the car that have kept the kids highly entertained! Thanks friends!! The kids do have their Ipads but no data. Some games will last them on and off. After a few hours in the car, we bring out the DVD player. A little old school, it only lasts 1 movie but has worked out just fine!

We made it through two state lines! Georgia and Tennessee!!

We arrived in beautiful Nashville (White House, TN to be exact!) a little after 11pm. Carter, who is 3, was sleeping when we got there so the next morning was a great surprise for him! It was honestly like nothing had changed. The brightly smiled kids were so happy and went straight to playing without skipping a beat!

 Saturday we spent most of the day at home letting the kids play with toys and do a little swimming. But that night we went to downtown Nashville for dinner at the Hard Rock Café.

I love that area so much. It really brings back memories of Greg and I when we were first dating. He was in the Army, stationed in Fort Campbell, KY. We spent a couple nights down there and it was so much fun! Flashback photo?? Okay FINE! ;)

 

Anywho, I cannot get over how close the kids still are. Carter was definitely intrigued by Noah and wanted to do EVERYTHING Noah did. It was really cute. They all played very well together the whole trip. Thank you Rob and Jenny for a great time!! Here are some goofy photos and videos of our time there:

 

Trip across America has begun!!!

Hello everyone! I can't believe after 3 years I have decided to start up the blog again! I am super excited to document our move across the country!! Can you believe it!? If only I had blogged our time in Key West, because honestly, it has been the most amazing experience yet! The friends we have made almost seems to be impossible to even try to make in our future. I hope I'm wrong because we are always up for a challenge and that means moving to new places and making more friends. The  struggles (as most Of you have seen in the past week via Facebook) have been super tough. I honestly never thought I would meet such wonderful people!! It's been 2 days and I miss my friends already!

So here we are, currently camped at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, FL! This place is beautiful!!!! I love the campsite! It is spacious and very private. My aunt is with us which we are all THRILLED about! I'm not going to come out and say camping is the best and how I could live doing this, but I'm definitely learning the ropes and adjusting to what fits for us. Our marriage and patience are challenged everyday I'll tell you that! But geez I'm so grateful for my husband who is willing to talk it out and work on what is best for us.

Anyways!!! Moving on! We left yesterday around 8am and got to my Aunt's house in Lake Mary, FL around 6:15pm. It was definitely a loooong drive! Having a trailer, it took us 10 hours instead of 8 lol. But we did stop for lunch and a couple potty breaks. I swear our kids can hold their potty as long as they can! Pretty funny. BUT, when we are in a restaurant for an hour, they go at least 2 times! Lol. I'm not complaining! I'd rather not stop in the car a dozen times!

Kamryn, oh our little Kamryn. She has definitely had the hardest time with this move from day 1. Our poor girl was sick with a fever, and what happens with a fever? She throws up. So that was day1!  since day 1, we have seen a change in our poor little Kam. Change is just not her thing and Greg and definitely have realized that. We are trying our best with patience but when she says she wants to go home, it's heartbreaking. We know it will get better though, so we will hang tight while she whips through this roller coaster ride! She's definitely not miserable all the time, I promise. That beautiful smile she has breaks through here and there!

After getting all set up with the camper, we headed down to the Springs. By the time we got there, thunder and lightening was in full effect. But it didn't stop our little cuties from having some fun in the rain! Once it passed, we went up a little further where people put their tubes in the Spring and float down. There weren't too many people, so Kam, Noah, and Greg jumped on in to the 72* water. Brrrr! They all were chilly but they did it!!! Proud of them! I'll do it tomorrow morning lol.

Tonight, the bugs were all about us but nothing worse than Key West! It's been sticky here but not unbearable. Our first dinner consisted of marinated chicken, rice, grilled corn on the cob! So delicious. Noah also roasted marshmallows.

Have I Mentioned Noah is on cloud 9! He was meant to be a camper! Happiest kid on earth!!! Driving has been great with him and now camping. All he wants is to help Greg on anything he needs. It's awesome to watch your son look up his dad in such a beautiful way, life is good.

Well BOO my photos aren't working to what I want! Glad most of you are on fb so you can keep up if you want! We have been all about th GoPro so we can't wait to show you that!!

Well Cheers to more Busick Adventures!! We are stoked!!