Camping with The Family 

At Shady Lake Recreational Area in Arkansas

 We've been camping at Shady Lake since 1984. We've taken all four of our children for many of our camping trips here and it's still a favorite of all the Zieleniewskis. 

This camping trip, we took the new additions of our family. :)

 Abby and her sweet baby. He loves riding in her backpack.

The Zieleniewski Gang

Barry Carson, Baby Graham & Mandy, Nathan Cruse & Abby,

Dad, Anna, Jacob & Kylie Thompson

This isn't the trail but some of us just have to go the hard way.

Abby giving the thumbs up for this GIANT fungus.

 

This was our Grandson's first hiking trip

Yes Graham, these are some funny girls.

Jacob & Kylie

Dad (Nathan) & Mom (Abby) have to take a break

from all the hiking. Mousie looks like she's ready to go. 

 

Yes, we hiked both of these trails!

  

 

Top of Tall Peak Trail

The fire lookout station is looking old these days,

but it's still a great place to take a break after a very long hike.

Hiking back down the trail.

 Our camping trip with all the kids was SO much fun!

I don't know when we'll all be together again for a family vacation, but I'm so thankful we got to do this before Jacob shipped off for his Navy basic training camp. 

It was a special time together. 

I love my family!

I saw this on Charity Navigator's Facebook page. I totally agree with this statement! What a waist of time and money we all use, trying to impress others when we could put that effort into something way more worth while.

Graham & Tired Me

Oh my, this grandma is SO glad my grandson, Graham likes to take naps with me. This has been a really long week!

A little Sunshine in the Winter

Some of my favorite pictures from our trip to Akumal Beach Resort in Mexico.

I'm so ready to go back again. Five more months and I'll get to use my limited Spanish

and snorkel in beautiful Akumal Bay!

 Snorkeling with the turtles

 So many turtles! One day we saw 10 during one swim.

 Dory! I think these were a type of Parrot fish. ??

One the many birds we saw fishing near the water.

Fishing boats in Akumal Bay

Swings at Moon Rise Bar. These were fun.

Mandy & Abby

So many beautiful views and so much beach & blue water! 

Some Christmas Crafts

I saw some interesting uses for wine corks on Pinterest and had to try my hand at a couple of my favorites. I made this wine cork Christmas tree and a letter Z. I love both of my creations. As soon as I find an easier way to cut the corks, I plan to make more neat things.





Baby Graham - December 22, 2011

Our long awaited first grandson has arrived. Graham Nelo Carson, 8lbs 8oz, 

born 12/22/2011 at Presbyterian Hospital in Rockwall Texas.

And the Proud Parents...

Mandy Zieleniewski & Barry Carson

And more Baby Graham...



The sweetest Christmas present ever!

Pierogi making with Anna

Our Christmas tradition of making Pierogi on Christmas Eve didn't happen this year. Mandy was expecting baby Graham and so we were a little distracted with baby happenings. Six days later, Anna finally talked me into at least making one flavor of Pierogi and so our Apple Pierogi happened. :) Yayee! My husband and Anna couldn't be happier. Why? I honestly have no idea why these Polish family members of mine love Pierogi so much, but love them they do.