Oh, and it was. Much too cool, almost to the point that they did not want to get in the water!
This past weekend we had our annual adventure to Camp Kulaqua, a.k.a. Church Retreat. The kids were very excited about it, namely because they remembered how much fun it was to ride their bikes all over the area with their friends. Per tradition, we bunked up with the Grodacks and Bergherms at our usual mini-lodge, and met up with our other friends who were staying at the chalets, or, in the case of one family, brought their home up with them! It was a great gathering and wonderful opportunity to catch up with everyone in a relaxed setting.
The weather was fantastic, save for a little lot of rain Friday evening during out trip up and upon arrival. But other than that, nice and cool in the mornings and evenings, with shorts weather in between. We enjoyed fellowshipping with one another and communing with Nature, a friendly reminder that life doesn't always have to be lived in a frantic pace.
Dropped Tux off at Winter Garden Hospital for boarding over the weekend.
$170 for 3 nights, shots, and bath/grooming. It's a dog's life.
Sneaking in a snooze en route to Camp.
The crew meeting up at our usual diner for supper before unloading.
Fortunately we had a cover from the torrential downpour!
Made it!
Duncan muffling the incessant ring of the alarm while we await the ranger to come.
Meanwhile, we joined group activities at the chapel and made jellybean bags, our team using Kohlden.
Mommy making sure his balloon sack was intact.
Jellybean boy!
Up on stage with the rest of the other teams.
Out like a light.
They slept hard Friday night.
The adults catching up and enjoying Jennifer's cookies with some specialty coffee!
Early morning Sabbath, the crew having breakfast.
Maddy pointing out a smushed frog on the road.
Attended Sabbath School, with Maddy promoting it.
Me looking rough! We were camping, after all.
Mommy and Kohl enjoying lunch at the cafeteria.
As were the girls.
Afternoon activities ensued after lunch, including a canoe ride.
Passed the Grodacks heading back,
as well as the Z family.
Mommy took the twins on her canoe.
We passed them and the Touchards on the way back.
On a bike ride with the Clarkes.
We were so glad we brought bikes for the adults this time.
Taking a trail to Indian Camp through the woods.
We happened upon a covered wagon circle!
Visited the Johnson's at their new home…THAT'S THE INSIDE OF THEIR NEW RV!!!
We also got a chance to feed the horses.
Maddy enjoyed giving them carrots.
The kids didn't want to ride their bikes back so leave it to the dads to ride Calleigh and Braelyn's bikes!
At the chalets for the potluck supper.
The gathering of the clans.
Brae & Calleigh had fun hanging out together over the weekend.
Amy doing the welcome and extends blessings on everyone.
Time to dig in!
The girls enjoy the spread.
Birthday celebrants enjoying Miss Jennifer's cupcakes, carrot cake for him and chocolate for her!
Joining the rest of the church for bonfires and s'mores!
Kohl joined in on a night time soccer game.
Capped the evening off with a nice long hayride!
He was plum tuckered out!
Glad we have lights on our bikes!
Sleeping in style!
Found a baby bird on the road with no mama bird in sight!
Both Maddy and
Kohl enjoyed holding it until we found it's mother.
Van all packed, ready to head out.
And back to technology.
Had lunch at t very quaint restaurant in High Springs called The Great Outdoors.
Maddy making sure she finishes her juice and water!
Kohl enjoying his dessert.
As per tradition, finding a patch of wildflowers for a photo session on the way back home.
Found this great spot with an old freight train in the background.
Tangie's shot of me as I take
this shot of the kids!
The busy weekend caught up with me on Monday and I came down hard with a cold bug and it lingers still. Stinks not being at 100%.
Here are the rest of the week's highlights.
Mommy and the twins enjoying the fragrant jasmine.
The girls gluing together Braelyn's Ganymede display poster.
The finished product!
The kids were very tired Monday morning.
All better in the afternoon, excited to pick up Tux from his staycation.
Starting to type out her report.
Her tooth came off!
Helping to read the twins' bedtime story.
Working on their memory.
Enjoying an afternoon treat!
Still working on her report, into the night.
Hooray! We finished a day early!
Thursday was presentation day. You could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air.
Her black light model was a hit!
On display for the next week. Great job Braelyn!!
Meanwhile, Mommy accompanied the twins on their Kindergarten class field trip to the Animal Kingdom.
Excited to get into the park.
Group shot of a few of them at the main gate.
Maddy with her buddies Penny and Riley.
Kohl enjoyed the dinosaur whirl ride.
Waiting for the Nemo show to begin.
Working on their safari badges.
With matching Minnie and Mickey Mouses.
Goofing off with Penny. She's moving to NC this weekend so Maddy was happy to hang out with her.
Oh no! Watch out Maddy!
Um…Buddy, that's really not safe...
Making some fresh guacamole for supper.
Randoms:
A lot of bikes at camp!
Enjoyed seeing turtles on our canoe ride.
Some random local in High Springs.
4 years of wildflowers from our weekend in Kulaqua.
Received this on my phone on Tuesday. Lovely.
José and his classmate Björn. They grow up so fast.
Quote:
At Kulaqua, Maddy noticed the slide on the screen and asked me, "Why does that say protein?"
