Third Time's A Charm

Camp Number 3 

Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Colorado

Our big boys were gone for 10 days. My littlest boy was sad to see them go.

They stopped for a picnic lunch on the way there.

 Somehow Peaceful Valley Ranch does not look peaceful to me. Especially doing this for 10 days.

 This is Zekers' tent. And he slept alone. In a tent. In the woods. I would be too scared to do that! It rained while they were there; at least there was wood on the floor. 

 That's my boy up there heading out on a hike.

 Playing some Uno on their down time.

 Hammock much?

 I believe this was Troop 9 and the flag ceremony, or something official that they were saluting for anyways.

Here is more official stuff. When you send a boy and a man on a trip, you don't get a whole lot of conversation about what happened. I considered myself lucky to get a few pics.

The Fourth With The Fam

Our July 4th wasn't really exciting, but we spent it with the ones we love the most and you can't beat that.

We stayed here and there are no fireworks allowed in city limits, so this was the extent of our fireworks this year. 

We popped them all on the back porch over the course of a couple days. We pulled the string, watched the confetti come out, and threw the trash on the ground until we were all done. Here you see some simultaneous gun shooting.

We ventured to a community celebration not far away.

We all would love to get a mini pig.

We found some popsicles at the celebration.

Next we hit the pool. Notice Zekers reading his book as he was walking in.

The pool had a few games. One was a water balloon toss. Daisy and Millie, Mommy and Daddy did the 3 legged race. I think the Pops and I might have come in last.

We topped off the day by watching fireworks.

A great 4th with DanFam5.2.

Strike Two

A swing and a miss. 

Strike two! Zekers went to his second camp of the summer with CCBC Middle School Ministry. While this was the face Zeke felt he had to portray,

this was more like how he felt on the inside.

 We got a few pictures that looked like he was having a good time.

 Here is the whole group.

I got a little more info about Glorieta than I did El Tesoro, but once again, I didn't learn a whole lot about what he did. He made it home safely, and he got some good spiritual teaching, so I'm counting it as a win, sort of.

The Lake Is The Life For Me

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The lake is my happy place. We spent a weekend with our home group at Troy and Laura's lake house. It was pure bliss.

First of all, there were about a hundred kids there. And they all got along the whole weekend. #winning

Second of all, there was a boat.

Third of all, there was a tube for the kids.

Fourth of all, there were jet skis that I was 'delegated' to drive kids around on all day. #bonus

Fifth of all, there was a dock to park the boat and jet skis.

The dock was also great for lounging with all our friends.

Sixth of all, there was Berta.

Seventh of all, there was a kayak.

And a paddle board.

Eighth of all, there was a large yard for hammocks and kickball, which the dads were gracious enough to play with all 100 kids.

Ninth of all, and most importantly, there were great friends and good conversation.

There was that one time when Berta got away. The kids all jumped out of the boat to grab her.

Then they harnessed her as the boat drug her back to the dock.

There was also that time when Abe was the only one up early enough to catch the gorgeous sunrise. Luckily he is thoughtful enough to capture it for me to enjoy later in the day after I wake.

I love the lake.