Father's Day Campout

Group picture with LeRoy; Mike behind the camera.

At Fawn and Sandra's invitation, Kate and I took our families to join theirs for a weekend. Once the initial "hey, how are ya" greetings were done and the tents were all set up, we gathered in the pavilion and around the fire to eat.  A camp fire has a way of breaking down awkward barriers and once our kids and husbands started chattering together the next two days were spent in hysterical laughter, water fights, swimming, diving, basketball, scooters, shooting, Rhino tours, glow sticks, burning marshmallows, hiking, and the occasional swatting of hissing cicadas.

Taming the three-wheeled scooter was top on the agenda.  That was a tricky ride!  We all learned how to swing our hips in a balanced left-right rhythm to pick up speed and gain clapping and giggles from those watching.

 When our thighs were sufficiently shaky from the scooter workout, we watched while the others played basketball.

As we gathered around the warm fire pit, the conversation led to the diving board at the lake and Mike dared Bret to jump in, fully clothed and in the dark. He even bribed him with $20.  Mike had never met Bret but he soon learned that Bret doesn't walk away from a good challenge, especially with money attached. He did allow Bret to change and then this poor college student immediately got up, grabbed his shorts and we all walked to the lake to witness the insane bravery.

Not to be left out, Mike's son Landon also took the challenge and got $20.

The next day, the lake was the place to hang out.  The older kids went out in a canoe for a while and later they took the younger kids for a smooth, calm glide through the water.

Brooklyn did not want to be left out.  We thought she was mad because she wanted to get into the water so Kate stripped her down to her diaper which calmed her for a minute but as soon as she got in the water she was again mad because Kate wouldn't let her walk clear out into it.  We wondered if she also wanted a canoe ride so Kate started to put the life jacket on her.  As soon as she did, Brooklyn calmed down. And, she got her canoe ride.

Bret was trying to convince Derek and Justin to dive in the lake so I gave a little nudge waving a $10 bill at them.

Derek was not going to let his cast stop him from water play.  Since he was four weeks into his six week wearing of the cast, we didn't stop him.  After a few dives it was so soggy that we walked over to the tool shed and found something to cut it off with.

When he took his cast off we could see a straw marked etched down the back of his hand and across his wrist.  He kept a straw tucked down inside his cast as an emergency fix  for sudden annoying itches.

Not wanting to be outdone, the little boys begged to jump in the lake IF I also gave them $10.  I agreed, not really thinking that they would do it, and with encouragement from the whole camp they looked right past the fear and focused on Bret and LeRoy at the bottom.  I held my breath until they were safely back on shore.

Their only condition was that Erika had to do it also.  Later, she confided in me that she was terrified but didn't want to show that to the boys and she was so impressed with their bravery that she set her own fear aside.  I was so proud of her!  That is a mother quality!  One that I have yet to find when it comes to water.


When they had all had enough of the water they moved on to shooting.

 Fawn took these pictures while I stayed at camp with Brooklyn.  Mike B. laying on the ground teaching his son.  Mike H. standing behind his son, teaching in a very hands on manner.  LeRoy gives his son a gun and tells him to be careful.  I fully believe my boys have angels walking with them.

Later in the afternoon we took a hike up to the water tower on the hill.  When we got back we left our tired hikers at camp while Mike & Kate, Mike & Fawn, and LeRoy & I went on Rhino rides so Mike could show us the entire landscape, water ways, and the incredible work he has put into the campground and surrounding land.  We ended at Mike and Fawn's for a tour of their beautiful new home.

Among all of our activities there was food.  Yummy, delicious, finger-lickin' good food!

The highlight around the fire was Mike's big camp chair.  That thing was huge!  So big that the small ones couldn't get in it by themselves and the adults had to practically jump in.  It did make for a nice snuggle place.  Kate, Mike and Brooklyn proved that.

  Brooklyn's crush on Nathan became very evident as she set up the mini chairs, gathered blankets and escorted Nathan to the chairs.  If he left, she would squeal and pound on the chair until he came back.

I'm not sure who enjoyed the game more, Brooklyn or Nathan.


Crazy Cooks in the Kitchen

Cousins Everywhere

Our new tent was wonderful!  We had extra room not only for sleeping but for backpacks and shoes with room left over.  The best part for Derek was that he could actually stand up in it (thought it doesn't appear that he could from this picture).

We had such a great time that we are all making arrangements to do it again next year.

Group picture with Mike; LeRoy behind the camera.
Adam & Sandra with Tanner, Chance, Dane & Rhyse; Mike & Kate with Korben, Logan, Brooklyn; Bret & Erika; LeRoy & Kimber with Derek, Justin, Nathan, Hyrum; Mike and Fawn with Levi, Morgan, Jaden, Billie, Kyson; Mike & Ruth with Justin, Landon, Lexi, Josh, + 2 boys.