The Cutler Crew: Broken Bow, Oklahoma

A couple of weeks before school started we drove up to Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, Oklahoma and rented an adorable cabin with the Sutherlands. It was so fantastic - it was camping for us city folk! hee hee! It had a wrap around porch literally around the entire cabin - there was a hot tub outside on the deck, a grill, air hockey, and two huge trees growing through the porch decking; it was such a relaxing setting - if we were at the cabin, we were on that porch!

This picture below is the drive up to the park - if you haven't been; this is such a beautiful state park. We actually went there about three years ago and were excited to get back! The trees are unbelievable; and there's really lots to do in the area (if you like to be outside)!

Honestly, we had no real agenda while we were there. We mostly wanted to relax and hang out with good friends. I think the kids' favorite part of the trip was playing in the fabulous "front yard" at the cabin.... what a view! They played dinosaurs, hunted for rocks and pine cones and there was even a friendly little beagle that would visit us! Our kids are entertainers, so they loved putting on "shows" for us.

Below are my boys with their God Mother - Susan. This was the night we decided to roast marshmallows! There was actually a fire pit with benches in the front yard - a great spot for marshmallow roasting!

Here's Preston with his first marshmallow of the night... the kids were so excited!

Oh, and here's Erick trying to start the fire... I felt like we were on "Survivor" doing a fire challenge! It was not an easy feat, and we had a lighter! But Erick won the challege and we had fire!

One night after the kids went to bed we decided to play a game of Poker. Luckily we had the Poker expert, Todd, there to teach us! Seriously! We were all in need of some serious schooling! Well, look who ended up winning the pot in a last ditch "all in" hand!

Inside the park there is this great swimming hole area with paddle boats. It's a ton of fun; here we are getting a work-out on the paddle boats! Both of my boys love being outside and were in heaven every moment of the trip.

Here is Evan loving the paddle boat ride!

And I love this sweet picture of Erick and Evan enjoying the swimming hole and Evan especially enjoyed the snow cone Daddy is holding! This swimming hole was so awesome... the water was so refreshing and chilling! Preston could have stayed there all day!

Okay, below is a random picture, but I thought it was so hilarious. On our way into the park there was this accounting company on the side of the road... literally, his name is "Joe Bob Smith, CPA"... ha.... You Might Be A Redneck! Okay, I'm from the South, so I think it's okay for me to poke fun at my kind! I know, what a shocker, right? I've lived in Texas just about my whole life - a true Texan! Crazy - you'd think I'd have an accent or something, right?

Here are the older kids "posing" for their picture... have we trained these kids well, or what?!? When your mommy loves to take pictures and loves to scrapbook, you get used to having a camera in your face! These pictures are so special to me because these kiddos are so close and will be friends for a lifetime. They really are family and I know one day they will get a kick out of these pictures.

And here's the whole gang... had to get a group shot even though there wasn't a soul around to take it! The ice chest was used as a handy tripod!

Truly a rare occasion... me and Susan in front of the camera! Thank you, Susan, for being the most wonderful friend and "Aunt Susan" in the whole world! Love you, Shirley!

Our little punk rocker, Evan! Can I just tell you and brag a little bit about what a good baby Evan is! He is such a trooper and so easy! The trip was about 2 1/2 hours each way and he didn't make a peep both ways! And while we were there, he slept so good and was so content to just "be" and hang out. Since he wasn't quite walking, we couldn't really put him down on the ground to crawl (ouch!), so he hung out on the porch in his highchair and spent lots of time in our arms and in the Baby Bjorn! He could not have made the trip easier, love you Schmoopie!

So this was my favorite view off the highway..... WHAT A VIEW! Can you believe this is Oklahoma?!?

And we remembered a beautiful photo spot from our last time there; a gorgeous winding river with rocks and a waterfall. So pretty.

And last, but certainly not least.... we had to go FISHING! Oh, yes, we have quite the fisherman in Preston and this was a MUST! Here the kids are excited to find the perfect fishing spot!

My two fishermen getting ready to cast out!

Here is Evan very fascinated with the fishing pole! Erick literally had him strapped on the front of him while he fished.... Evan loved it; even if we didn't catch a thing!