LLYC reunion

I was so fortunate to have been able to attend summer camp at Laity Lodge Youth Camp from the time I was about 8 or 9, until I was a counselor back in 1991. I have so many amazing memories and grew up there in many ways, both emotionally and spiritually. This weekend we headed back to camp for a camper/staff reunion. I saw so many familiar faces. Mostly, I just loved being there, singing my favorite camp songs, and spending time with the family. The property is just simply gorgeous. The camp is nestled down in a canyon along the Frio river with no phone service!!! The weather was absolutely perfect, and we had our first cold snap of the year (finally)! Our great friends, the Skaggs, were also there and the kids loved getting to play with their buddies.

I was definitely sad to leave, but the kids were wiped out! Aubrey had a really rough time on Saturday night settling down for bed and pitched a serious fit, complete with hitting, biting, and all the potty words she could think to say! Whew. I'm so glad these types of fits are few and far between now, but they are no less painful. I know she was simply exhausted and with a birthday coming up this week, it seems like she is going through some growing pains. Hopefully she'll be back to herself soon. Despite all of that, I feel renewed for the week ahead. I love camp!

Round up!

Brian and Amy

The kids put on quite a show while we waited for round-up to get going. Henry busted out with some serious dance moves.

S'mores! There is still a burn ban so we had to roast them over a grill. The kids didn't mind one bit.

On Saturday, we started off with pumpkin carving, made some tie dyed shirts, played for hours in a big sand pit, went to the adult retreat center for a queso bar, took a tour of the new family camp location (it is AMAZING!!!!) and then ended the day with another round-up and a rodeo dance.

Jane Ann and Samuel working hard.

Sabra and her girls

It was no surprise that the kids lost interest pretty quickly and the dads were left to carve the pumpkins. The tools were less than optimal and it took some serous elbow grease!

I took a few photos around the property. This is the new ranch house where we eat. It is luxurious compared to what was there when I was a camper.

The dinner bell. If your cabin was late to a meal, you ended up in the river with your clothes on.

And finally, I thought I should include a photo of me as a camper in the early 80's! My oh my.

Hill Carnival

Aubrey's elementary school has a neighborhood carnival every year to raise money for the school. I can't believe we have never gone before! The kids had a blast. My parents happened to be in town, so they got to enjoy the fun too. Aubrey was most excited about winning a cake at the cake walk and climbing the rock wall. That girl has some amazing upper body strength. The first thing she HAD to do was show us her playground skills. She has been obsessed with the monkey bars since the first week of school and has found numerous way to challenge herself on them. She has had at least six blisters on her hands, but I think the skin has finally toughened up!

This was impressive. She shimmied her way up these bars!

I feel sure she could have made it to the top of the rock wall, but the side they had her on was missing hand holds about half way up and there was no way for her to get any higher. Bummer.

Soccer Star

Aubrey is playing soccer in the neighborhood league for the first time this year, and daddy is the coach. It's been an adventure! Not sure if she is more excited by Brian coaching, the uniform, or scoring goals, but at least she enjoys running around and being part of a team! She isn't the most aggressive player, but she is learning and she has some speed when she wants to turn it on. We don't keep score, but she does :). GO RED STORM!

She shoots, she scores!!!

Minnesota

We had another great trip to Minnesota this summer and it's sad that I'm just know getting around to posting the photos. We flew out of Dallas, so we decided to go up a little early that day and spend a few hours with my friend Holly from college. I loved getting to see her and her family. The kids had a ball playing and it was a nice way to break up the day. Thanks Holly!

The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. I felt like I hardly saw them! There is quite an age range (3yrs-15yrs) but they all got along so well. I'm sure it was work for the older ones, but my kids felt so cool and loved every minute of it. We managed to squeeze in a trip to Lego Land, which was also a huge hit.

Henry was no fool. It's much easier to just drop the ball on the hole.

As most of you know, Brian's mom suffers from frontotemporal dementia. She now lives in a home specially designed to care for patients with memory loss. We had some really good visits with her this last trip and were able to bring her home for a few hours on several days for visits with the whole family. I'm so glad I brought my camera this trip. We even got a few smiles!