Cub Day Camp at Camp Mack

This is the first year, that our Cub Scout Troop participated in a BSA cup camp.  It was a day camp, but it lasted all week.  It went from 8-5, so that's pretty intense for 8-11 year olds.

 

The camp was pretty good and there was a myriad of activities.  Our troop loved it, my boys were a little more mehhh about it.  I still am not exactly sure why, but I think it was just overwhelming in it's intensity.  It didn't help that the week was in the mid 90's with tons of humidity and they were outside all day.

 

But they got great archery and shooting skills, they owned the other boys in Gaga ball, they bonded as a pack and explored nature and space all while boating and swimming too.  Overall, I think it was a good experience.

Vacation, Vacation, Vacation

I just can't get enough.  For my birthday, Sue had us to her beach house in Manasquan, NJ.  It is wonderful, amazing, peaceful, perfect.  This is one of my favorite things every year.  For the first time ever, Travis was able to go with us.  Also in the apartment were Ang and Michele and their daughters.  I love these people and this time together!

We play lots of games; this year Dog Monopoly, Trivia Crack and Sushi Go were big hits.
And we spend lots of time on the beach boogey boarding, digging, building, laying out, talking, doing photo shoots and pretending to be mermaids. He, he, he!

This year for the first time, we went to the next town over, Point Pleasant, to go to the Boardwalk.  It was a fun thing to do because we had never done it.  We rode rides, ate the biggest pizza ever, lots of fries and ice cream.  We all cuddled up to Santa, because of course it was Christmas in July. 

Last Travis was able to help Pete do a few things when he got there later in the week, and it wouldn't be a vacation if Sue and I weren't in bed cuddling together.  Until next year...I'll just have to have great memories.

 

Swim Season

 

So after two or three years of saying no to summer swim, this year I conceded.  Many have asked me why I said no and basically it is because I run myself ragged all year long, summers are sacred, lazy days.  But this year I knew the summer would be crazy instead of relaxing anyway and so let the kids choose for themselves.  Two opted to swim and it was Isabella and Issac.

Isabella swam during the daily training, but was only able to attend 2 maybe 3 meets or invitationals because she was gone so much this summer with Girls' Camp, Youth Conference, family vacations, etc...It was a good experience and she liked it, but doesn't think she will return next year. 

Issac took to it like the fish he is.  Able to attend most all of the practices and meets, he was able to really improve and became quite good.  His best friend also swims and so all the long hours of meets were one big party with food and friends for him. 

I learned that invitationals are like nothing I have ever seen in any other sport.  Swim meets are long, invitationals longer and so many bring their tents, set up camp and turn huge fields into villages.  Think one whole Saturday into the evening.  Staging the races with the kids is like trying to herd kittens, but really cool to see the system and organizations.

Both the kids did freestyle, back and then relays.  Issac hopes to get better at the more technical strokes of breast and butterfly to become good enough to swim some of those next year.  Overall it was fun to participate in and watch, but our summer was definitely more busy as a result.  But that didn't deter Kody who has determined that next summer he will join the team too.

 

Make America Great

Politics aside despite my post title, I love America.  I'm a patriot and a succor for fireworks.  This year the 4th of July boasted the worst weather in the past 7 years.  It poured rain and so I was glad that we had celebrated the day before at Longs Park like usual.  They always do an amazing show (concert, fireworks, etc..)  So after church at around 3:30 pm I went to reserve seats for our ever increasing group of friends, since two groups invited us we merged together.

Well when I got there, there was another acquaintance saving seats for her church friends too in the Lancaster ward.  We created a row of members of our church.  Shortly thereafter we noticed some members from York.  They were seated behind us until we became two great big lines of spectators.  There were a total of just shy of 200 of us in the alley and assorted members in other areas of the park.

Then on the day of, we had the Elders and went to the Henrichsen's pool to swim and eat until their neighbors did fireworks.  Swimming in the rain was fun for Travis and the kids, but I played inside.  The show was shortened but it was good to be with friends to celebrate!

We're Halfway to Christmas...and Then Some

In June and the beginning of July we:

finished baseball season

rescued many newborn animals

celebrated our favorite dad

had wisdom teeth removed

witnessed many gorgeous sunsets

attended girls' camp

 

and Cub Camp

One More Down...One To Go

So Issac graduated from elementary school to the middle school.  I only have Kody left and this is his last year.  The days are going to fast.  This year I'll have an elementary, 2- middle, and 1-high school children.  I love these kids - they are my heaven.