Family Camp

We headed up to Calvin Crest for family camp. It was weird to be there as campers, but we had a great time.

We got to stay in Mountain View, and the kids didn't waste any time starting to explore.

Campfire Sunday evening.

They had a kids program Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings that included crafts, snacks, games, and story time. Mary was very excited about painting a rock on the first day.

During free time Monday we all went out on the lake in a paddle boat together.

Mary and David loved walking around on hikes.

We enjoyed watching some pool olympics. 

Tuesday evening there was a holiday party as part of the "My Favorite Holiday" theme night. They had stations set up with games from all different holidays.

Christmas tree decorating

Mary and David did a Lucky Charms race at the St. Patrick's Day table with Eden, who was one of their leaders in the kids program.

Wednesday was adventure day and we hiked the Gethsemane Trail.

It was beautiful and peaceful, and the kids loved walking in the cold water.

We had a picnic lunch by the waterfall.

Mary and David loved going to the craft condo.

They thought it was great fun to have Fruit by the Foot during snack time at kids club.

Making wind chimes with Nurse Kathy

Thursday evening was the Sherwood Faire. The kids liked playing the various games, but the bubbles were the biggest hit.

We had campfire in Sherwood after the faire and saw the final installment of the Esther skit the staff did every evening.

Mary said a duck stepped in jam and walked across her paper.

Telling a story with art from the week.

Camp ended Friday, but we got to stay one more night because Joshua had a board meeting Saturday. It was nice to have a quiet end to a great week.

Tuesday Happenings

We had a strawberry jam making party on Tuesday. Fresh strawberry jam is so good and reminds me of making jam with Mom, Heather, and Michelle when we were growing up.

 We're starting to get a good harvest from the garden.

Fundraising Brunch

We've been busy preparing for the youth fundraising brunch lately. Our preparations included trying a number of scone recipes to find one we liked, sampling cinnamon rolls, and testing coffee cake. I also made and froze mini quiches and scone dough. Michelle and the kids came over one afternoon last week to help with quiche prep.

 Saturday we baked over 350 mini muffins, a surprisingly large number of which were consumed at breakfast by two hungry children. The brunch was Sunday and everything went great. The youth were a big help, everyone enjoyed the event, and people donated generously toward sending the young people to camp.

Eleven Years

We celebrated our anniversary with ribs and crème brûlée Friday.

Seven Months

Hannah is a girl on the move at seven months! She is scooting around on her tummy and makes rapid forward progress.

She also likes to get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth.

She makes lots of noises and is babbling more.

Hannah often wrinkles up her nose in the cutest way.

She has started eating more solid foods and loves being part of meal times. Her favorite food is cashew butter.

She enjoys spending time on the floor exploring everything around her.

She also likes getting kisses, especially on her cheeks and tummy.

 Hannah is a happy little roly poly and makes us all smile.

Memorial Day Work Weekend

Mary and David were excited to start packing for the work weekend at Calvin Crest.

Photo: Mom

We headed up Friday with Dad, Mom, and Micah, but ran into trouble when the road was closed due to a vehicle fire so we hung out at the park in Oakhurst for awhile before making it up to camp.

Saturday morning the kids wanted to go on a hike before breakfast.

After breakfast, we got to work. I cut Sherwood tunics and worked on a medical inventory.

Joshua and the kids, meanwhile, were helping clear out Sherwood.

Photo: Calvin Crest

Theresa and I got back to the medical inventory after lunch. Late in the afternoon, Cora joined us. We mostly got things inventoried and Sunday morning were able to put them in the infirmary for the summer.

Photo: Micah

Dad and Micah were part of a construction team that was working on renovating the Westview cabins.

 

We returned home after lunch on Sunday. It was fun to be at camp and help get ready for another summer season.

Creek Walk

We enjoyed some time at the creek after dinner at Mom and Dad's house yesterday. It was quiet and peaceful down by the water.

The kids had fun catching tadpoles.

 

Little Rocker

Hannah is enjoying time up on her hands and knees more often.