Off to a Good Start

Camping 2011

Take a break from life for a few moments and join us on our first two camping trips so far this summer.

First up, camping with the Pond side of the family

Hank(Mike's sister Cheri's dog)

One of the two cutest beagles ever.

Cody(Mike's parent's dog) the other cutest beagle is not pictured, but he was there

"Ok kids, watch uncle Mike show you how to build a fire."

Pyros in the making.

Ah, that's right, just relax.

Jerry (Cheri's husband)

Official goofball and camp cook.

He makes one awesome breakfast!

Does this boat look too small for 3 adult males or is it just me?

Mike showing no mercy on his niece.

"You want to play tether ball do ya? Take that!"

At least she is forgiving.

Bella's first fish with a little help from uncle Mike.

And of course her proud dad, Jerry.

Now, on to the Hoelzel camp trip

We all met down by my brother Scott, in Mississippi

The first order of business was Emma's (Scott's daughter) ballet recital.

This was the only pic that turned out half way decent. Emma is

on the left. It doesn't do her performance justice. She was awesome!

Beautiful Emma, and proud mom and dad (Scott and Nancy)

Here are the brave host and hostess of this crazy family trip.

Scott and Nancy opened up there house for a week for all of us to stay there.

That was a whole lot of Hoelzels under one roof.

Here we have father, grandson and son.

Tom, Alex and Scott

Dad and Penny in New Orleans

New Orleans is interesting to say the least.

This guy had to be roasting. It was at least 90 and very

humid that day.

Me and my sis.

Here is the crazy crew, minus Penny (taking the pic) and

the kids.

What more could you ask for?

Canoeing to your campsite...priceless

There it is.

One of my favorite pics.

Me, my bro, and my sis.

You can't go camping with out making pudgy pies.

This one was EPIC!

Mike making breakfast and Scott supervising.

A little break from canoeing.

Frisbee in the river.

(look at Mike way back in the "what nots"...)

I guess you had to be there to get that one

It looks all nice and peaceful, but there are plans being hatched that

involve ramming into the nearest canoe in an attempt to tip them over.

That's right, nothing is peaceful with the Hoelzel's

Gabe, my nephew from my sister's side.

You wouldn't know it from the picture,

but he was one sick pup with a cold.

Which he gave me. :-(

Post camping/canoeing Rummy 500 card game.

Wait a minute...Alex, is that a beer in your hand?

Isn't that your dad right next to you totally not paying

attention?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Jackie...one cool dog

Going for a little sail on the Gulf.

Taking it all in

Boys will be boys...make that men will be boys.

Mike and Scott having a good old time.

There was one thing missing from this trip.

Everyone kept saying "Chris would be loving this".

We missed you Chris. Maybe next time.




On our way back home we stopped off to see some friends in Memphis

Miller, Stephanie and Kellie at Memphis Pizza Cafe.

Neal was there too, but i didn't get a pic. Sorry Neal.

We stopped in Memphis on our way down as well and went to the same

Memphis Pizza Cafe with some other friends.

Needless to say, it is the best pizza thus far.

So, there you have it. Two family camp trips.

The beginning of a yearly tradition.

We hope.