Spectacular Spur of the Moment

 We are so blessed that we had one last "hoorah" together just before school got back into full swing. Our friends had some free LEGOLand passes that were expiring, so we made a last minute plan to spend an afternoon together. It sure was fun! Spontaneous outings are relaxed and enjoyed, just as they are.

 Above, the kids walking together

Just after a roller coaster

the very last ride of the day...

School is cool

First day back to academics after a summer of sun and fun

Arena

 We've been blessed in abundance with friends that give us passes to enjoy kid stuff

 This arena contained stunt motorists, jesters, martial arts performers, and more...

Beach Baptism Aug '12

 The last of our church's beach baptism and bar-be-que arrived with chilly weather in August.  That didn't slow down any of these boys! What a coincidence that most of them are part of the same weekly boys group, and ran into each other here. Just another chance to play!

Special Visit

On the way home, we enjoyed a few hours with our aunt and uncle. These two introduced Pete and I to    our now favorite camp spot. Each of us enjoyed the love they had to share with us and the attention of their dogs. God blessed us with them.

Our Own Park Rangers

Park Ranger Reed "swears in" each of our boys as Junior Park Rangers.

Packing Up and Packing Out

The kids on our last morning together -- packing up and packing out.  Two of the boys are modeling their hand made "bow and arrow" and arrow sheath

checking to make sure the arrow fits in the sheath

measuring the shoulder strap to correct size

sharing the camp site with Grandpa S, who is prepping, while Pete and the boys read the Action Bible 

A Bear's Turf

With our kids growing and changing, Pete and I had more opportunities to step across rocks atop the river, or walk through the river bed. This reminded me much of our previous days of long hikes. We took a couple hours to "test out" a hike, and it was confirmed that the kids are more of the age of exploring through water, rather than on land hikes.

The Bubbs Creek trail was mainly forest floor (which I love) and dry rocky areas. What brought the boys joy, was stopping to skip rocks, or sitting on a rock to have lunch.

Our older son had no desire to get wet, so me and our younger son, crossed this shallow ankle deep water while they took the orange bridge.

This is our view from where Josh and I were standing. A bear! It showed up a minute or two after they crossed the orange bridge.

Back at the campsite, we walked to the river to find our friends and to cool off.

S'Mores

The kids are "glowing' at the campfire

Somehow, we managed to have S'Mores only one night during our camping week !?!

Packing Up and Packing Out

Josh stays still while Jarrod measures the length of the chest strap for the arrow sheath

Josh and Jarrod added wooden sticks to an arrow head, and then Jarrod created a carrying sheath custom made for Josh

the kids gathered around the "crafting" table 

Pete reading God's Word to the boys before we drive home. We shared a campsite with Grandpa Matt this week.

By the end of the week, our camera batteries are dying out. This is the last group shot taken by a neighboring camper. We are missing from our photo, and looking toward, Janet. 

Cavern Exploring

Once again, our families gathered at Boyden Cavern, and this time, the cool rocks and trinkets at the gift shop were a highlight.

Here are the families the Lord blessed us with this week:

taking the adventure trail through the cave!