Camp Dwight

Our main vacation this year was in Bend, Oregon at Camp Dwight.  What a blessing this camp was!  This was the first time for our family, the Freemans, and the Wohlds to attend...and I think we're all hooked.  Camp Dwight is hosted by the Johnson Family at their ranch. They have a real heart to be a blessing and encouragement to homeschool families. We enjoyed a ton of fellowship, music, encouraging messages, delicious food, and watching our children partake in all the activities.

Enjoying Aunt Amy's yummy cookies.

Our twins didn't have the easiest time.  Night times were a nightmare...especially since we were in a tent. I thought maybe they were freezing because I was freezing, but I've now realized that every night we have spent away from home is not their best. :) I also think I was starving my poor babies.  They were making the transition from pureed baby food to table food right before this trip.  I went ahead and just fed them baby food because we only had one portable hichair making it hard to self-feed two babies.  Looking back we should have made them take turns in the hichair (even if one would be sad) or better yet, bought another portable chair.  Live and learn. :)

Our big boys loved the zip line.

It was very hot in Bend.  I can't remember the last time I felt so hot!  I even got sunburned....which hasn't happened in a while. :)  Amy and I, with the babies, took off to enjoy some a/c and find a Starbucks while BJ and the boys enjoyed the water.

Jeremy enjoyed the spaghetti. :)

Boy, you have never heard so many great musicians!

This was a big ordeal!  We loaned our old suburban to Amy and Isaac so they could pull a trailer.  Now about the suburban.  BJ bought it because I don't really know.  It has a killer winch on the front that is super cool for boys.  And I think BJ was going to drive it down to Mexico for the church missions trip that ended being cancelled.  So now we have a suburban to sell. :)  Back to the ordeal....when Isaac parked the trailer there was plenty of room to position it correctly.  When he was ready to leave there wasn't as much room. Suffice to say they hooked it up and a little more character was added to the beast. :)

Can't wait for next year!

The Zoo

Back in July we met the Freemans at the zoo. We needed to do a little suburban exchange and thought we might as well make a day of it. :) 

These hats from Uncle Joey and Aunt Alison were so cute....too bad the twins didn't think so. :)

We have always thought Gracie looks like she could have been one of ours. :)

We get a lot of looks when we are out and about together. We sat here to eat lunch and watch the bird show.  BJ said the lady sitting behind us stared at us the whole time.  Sometimes I feel the pressure.  We want to be real, and yet we know we represent the Lord.  I want our family to be a reflection of God's love and the blessing of children.

Amy and I are usually real chatty...with or without caffeine.  With caffeine, however, watch out.  I can picture in my head Isaac's eye roll whenever Amy and I are together and have had coffee. :) So anyway, we are talking in the back while everyone else is fascinated by the monkeys. :)

Jesse, our trusty guide.

The babies were all tuckered out by the end.  And actually, so were the parents. What is it about doing anything outside of the norm that is so exhausting? :)

Bible Bee Bonfire

Jared, Jesse, and Justin were enrolled in the Bible Bee this summer, but really it was a whole family affair!  It was a BIG commitment, much more than I thought it would be, but so worth it.  I imagined the boys working on memory verses like John 3:16 or Philippians 4:15.  Boy was I pleasantly surprised (and a little nervous) when I saw the packet of 25 scripture cards containing 2-7 verse passages each! In addition to the memory work is a Bible study workbook on 2 Timothy. The parents are encouraged to do the senior edition along with their children.  I learned so much about Paul and his letters written to Timothy. The boys didn't learn all the verses, but we were proud of what they accomplished for their first Bible Bee.  Now knowing what to expect, Jared is pumped and ready to make it to Nationals next year. :) 

The family is supposed to gather each week for a "bonfire" to discuss the week's study. We didn't do too many of the family bonfires, but here is one of them in photos. :)  We are in the process of getting our act together. :)

Who wouldn't love to have Judson Lee as a chauffeur?

Another blessing about Bible Bee was the weekly hive meetings.  They were held in McMinnville at the Cooksey's church (our friends we met at the beach last fall.)  Needless to say, the meetings were a highlight of the boys' week.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (card 1)

Our Garden

We really miss having a garden.  Watching my boys fill my garden containers brought back a lot of memories.....times I really miss.  Last year's water trough garden was a flop.  We had bought terrible soil (it was wet when we bought it).  This year's garden was much better, although by the time I am posting this our tomatoes are a mess and should have been staked.  Watch out, next year it will be amazing! :)

A little later on......

And later yet.....

Happy Gardening!

Joshua and Josiah

Joshua Courage

Josiah Christian