September Camping

In mid September, we spent a weekend camping with the Kspekas and Fausts. It was almost like we had no kids as the kids play so well together. But, then they also like to eat and be entertained from time to time. 

Thursday night before we headed out, Derek and I took the boys out to gather pine cones for a craft project.

On Saturday morning, we hiked to a craft activity for the kids. Going under the hi-way and playing on the concrete going up to the bridge. 

 Well what we thought was one craft activity ended up being a craft buffet. The kids had a blast as they were able to make as many things as they wanted and none of them were thrilled to leave. 

Matthew, Caroline and Caleb were the Sesame Street gang for the weekend.

Sunday morning was the return of a wonderful camping breakfast of the unhealthiest variety.

DONUTS

They were enjoyed by all and Bryce loved being able to help making them.

The weather was beautiful and the weekend was relaxing.

Camps

After coming home from Scout Camp we headed into 3 weeks of camp for various kids. Matthew kicked things off with 3 days of Vacation Bible School at St. Luke's. The following week Bryce headed to Covenant Pines Bible Camp for the week and Micah to Vacation Bible School. It was a very quiet week as I only had Matthew for 5 hours each day and strange for Bryce not to be here all week. This week, we wrapped up our big summer camps with Micah attending SkyHawk Football Camp.

Bryce heading to Covenant Pines

 Bryce's cabin crew on the first day of camp.

Crazy child swinging into the lake.

 Micah showing of his newly learned passing, catching and defensive skills.

Teamwork and respect were important topics at Football camp.

Camping at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

We love to go camping, Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends, you can usually find us camping with Nana, PopPop, the Faust's and/or the Kspeka's.  This year everyone went camping for a total of 8 adults and 7 kids - yes the adults still out number the kids but barely.  We are a big group but it is a great time to be able to relax, visit and let the kids play.  As they are getting older and more independent, we adults get more time to sit around the fire.

The kids loved being able to ride their bikes and running around the playground area.

The adults had fun sitting around the table playing Hand and Foot.

Of course, we had to go for a hike.  These are still limited the kids are not that big - yet!

The kids found a great rock wall to climb  up at the water fall.

Derek tried to get a picture of all the kids - he didn't do bad getting 5 out of 7 :)

Matthew found a friend at the playground with a bow and arrow. He is not shy about asking for a turn.

Derek and Bryce went on a hike by themselves.  Bryce found a cool tree to sit on, some beautiful flowers and took a great picture of Derek and Lucy.

It was a great weekend. We are all ready to go again next spring at Sakatah Lake State Park.

Family Camp at Covenant Pines

This summer, we went to Family Camp at Covenant Pines for the first time. It was a wonderful weekend full of a wide variety of activities. The boys had a hard time choosing what they wanted to do the most.

The Red Shark was at the top of every one's list.

Mom and Dad wanted to go for a simple pontoon ride.  We also went canoeing as a family, interesting sums up that experience. No one tipped the canoe but they did do a lot of rocking.

Bryce relaxing on the pontoon.



 We Tye dyed t-shirts with the Sheppard family. It was fun to watch all the adults jump as the kids picked up different colors of dye. The kids were all very excited to see what their creations would look like.

Matthew had fun on the zip line with Arthur.

Gaga Ball was the biggest hit of all the kids at camp. Bryce and Micah played every chance they got.

After getting home and cleaned up, Bryce spent some time reading to Matthew.



Hidden Bluffs - First Half of Vacation

We started our vacation picking up our fixed camper on our way to Hidden Bluffs Resort in southern Minnesota.  Yes, we camped at Hidden Bluffs earlier this summer. On the way home from that trip the axle of our camper broke. Now it is all fixed, so we had to travel south to pick it up. Fortunately, we had no plans to go camping until it was all fixed. As a result, we camped at Hidden Bluffs for 3 nights before coming home to wash clothes and repack before heading to Family Camp at Covenant Pines.

Nana and PopPop joined us for the 4 day 3 night trip to Hidden Bluffs.  It is fun to vacation with grandparents. The boys get to build special memories and we have adults to talk with or in some cases irritate. Derek decided he needed to annoy his mother on more then one occasion. Here he is bringing the fire to her.

The boys loved swimming in the pool and trying to tame the shark.

Hiking is a part of every camping trip.  This time we walked over and through a river.

Sometimes you just need PopPop's shoulder to make things better.

Hiking holing Nana's hand is the best.

Derek decided I needed to have my picture taken too.

Balloon Rockets were a hit while we were at our campsite.





Fred and Ted Go Camping

Who needs to eat when there is a new Fred and Ted book to read?

Not Matthew!  On Sunday morning, as we were packing to go to Hidden Bluffs, Matthew found this book on the kitchen table waiting to be packed. He stopped eating breakfast to read the book. Micah and Bryce were anxious to read it to.  As soon as Matthew was done reading and they were done eating they stood at the kitchen table to read the book.

All three boys read this book through out our week of vacation. Matthew picked different people to read it to all week, some days more than one person.

At the table or on the table, Matthew was happy to read his Fred and Ted books.