Camp Kulaqua!

5 Years, 3 Weeks.


Well, another event that we look forward to each year has come and gone:

Our annual Family Church Retreat to Camp Kulaqua in High Springs.

Always a fun time, especially with the people we bunk with and dine with, we had the usual suspects all together once again to fellowship and reconnect with one another, surrounded by God's beautiful nature.

We especially enjoyed the fact that the twins are now on bikes, so we gave them a little bit more independence and freedom to roam about the camp; they always wanted to hang around the big kids and tried to keep up with them.  The only rule was that they stayed with someone at all times.  It was at times unnerving not always having them in your line of sight, but we trusted Braelyn or Calleigh or the other big kids to keep an eye on them.  And most of the time they did. Most of the time.

Anyway, it was another wonderful weekend, chock full of activities and memories made.  I'll get right to the pictures so you'll know what I mean:

Working on their math.  5 + 1 =  ….

A little sass in the van.

Went blueberry picking Thursday afternoon to get fresh berries for Sabbath's breakfast.

Most of the berries went into their mouths.

That's all you got after 2 hours Missy?

Met up with some of the guys for dinner during the first night of the NFL Draft.
Football season is only 4 months away!!

She stayed home Friday because she had a fever the night before, so she helped me pack
and put together the kids' goodie bags for our trip.

They were so excited to head out, but more tired that they fell asleep 15 minutes into the ride.

Tangie spent most of the drive up talking with her team on the phone.

Met up with the crew for supper at our usual Friday evening spot, The Diner at High Springs.

The older girls chatting together.

Kohl taking it all in.

At the fire bowl for Friday night vespers.

I attached some flashlights to their bikes so they could ride in the dark with their friends.

Getting ready for bed.  Don't forget to brush your teeth!  

Meanwhile the adults get ready for a night of talking and catching up.
Duncan was nice enough to bring along his expresso machine for some nice hot beverages.
Great to have a personal barista all weekend!

Tuckered out, he wanted to be a "big boy" and stay on the top bunk.

The moms catch up, while the dads go to bed, including Bruce, staying where he was all night.

We partnered with both Cochrans Sr. and Jr. for breakfast Sabbath morning, making scratch
Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, including a blueberry compote from the ones we picked
on Thursday, hearty beef bacon and veggie patties.

Gathering for prayer.  It was a glorious morning with fantastic weather all weekend.

Braelyn polishing up her waffle.

The girls at church service.

Jonathan, Brady, and Kohl watching Maddy behind their seats.

At the spring after service for a baptism and to see

London's baby dedication.

Hanging out at the playground after lunch.

Are we really at camp?  Jennifer creates an amazing reception at the lodge to celebrate London's dedication. 

The crew milling around and enjoying the treats.

We visited the animals at the zoo…the ones in the cages, not the ones running wildly about. 

Maddy and the Whitaker boys checking out a very energetic monkey.

We took to the water after the zoo!  All 5 of us in a canoe!

Surrounded by natural beauty, this photo of us taken by Dr. Murrell on top of the overpass bridge.

Afterwards I played camp counselor as the kids came back to our lodge for some Bible games.

Of course, with camp, there has to be a snack break.

A very tough looking bike gang.

Gathering back at the chalets for supper, hosted by the Grodack, Johnson, and Biri families.

Finally, a photo of the parents!

Maddy attacking her veggie dog!

Kohl and Brady riding their bikes together.  They had such a blast.

All the families represented by their children.  This group has grown in leaps and bounds!

Participated in a group panel discussion Saturday night.
Actually, it was for game night where we competed with other groups up front.  Lots of fun!

We had s'mores immediately following game night.

Great way to cap off the day!

Breakfast Sunday morning, hosted by the Zbaraschuk and Bergherm families:
French toast casserole and egg/potato crockpot goodness! 

Went to see our friends jump on the blob at the spring before heading home.

Blake catapulting Lindsay on the blob.

We took a different route home and visited several flower meadows for our annual photo.

Just amazing colors!

We attended Gabi's birthday party at the Ottatis when we got home.

The kids getting comfortable jumping off their rock fixture.

Helping Mommy make fresh homemade guacamole for Cinco de Mayo!

Picked up Gabi with us from school and dropped her off with Richard en route to pick up Brae on Monday.

Braelyn organizing one of her many collections of something.

Doing some computer activities at the library.

Shopping for a Mother's Day present for Mommy, the kids got distracted by the laptops and tablets.

Putting together their gift bags for Teacher Appreciation Week.

The twins working on their headstands.  

Just hanging out at the Science Center.

Apparently Maddy loves Dora...   

Harvesting some ripe pear tomatoes from the garden!

Randoms:

Um…nice parking job!

The kids enjoyed watching the blimp that was overhead of our subdivision on Friday.

Already making bets on football.  Broncos fan vs. Pats fan,
 best regular season record gets a free round of golf!

Mode of transportation at Kulaqua.  And Asia.

Our family picture from last year made the weekend program!

Found a random bench in the woods.  Great view.

Worst part of road trips this time of year.  Cursed love bugs!

Amazing sunset on Tuesday evening.  Spectacular.

Interesting individual (protesting?) on the road.    18 more months until the next election!

Saved the best pic for last.  Pride goeth before a fall!
Deflategate report implicates Tom knew about the deflated footballs.  (Sorry Corey!)
Ah well,  some people root for cheaters, some people don't.  We are all different.  ;)

Quote:

• Driving with the twins to Costco on Maitland, I pointed to the city skyline:

          Maddy:  "Hey, let's see if we can see Mommy's work."

          Me:  "Yup, there it is."

          Kohl:  "I see it!"

          Me:  "What city is that called?"

          Kohl:  "New York!"

          Ha!  I wish!

         

Definitely not New York.

Have a great weekend!!