Port Burwell 2013

The long awaited camping trip was drawing nigh and the long term forecast was looking GOOD!!!   Planning and packing and a flurry of emails was what we were facing.  I think my inbox had 39 messages with the subject line: Re: Coming Soon: Family Camping.   Beth first sent out an email asking for our preferences on various subjects.  She ended the email by asking us to use just ONE word to describe our feelings about this trip.  Here is what we came up with:  anticipation, long-awaited, sunshine, beach, blessed, relaxation, and lonesome.  (if you wish to match the word to the person, give it a try . . . I'm betting "beach" is the easiest one;0))

Anyhow . . . I think all words were applicable in one way or another . . .except perhaps "lonesome".  There was always someone around though some were around more than others!

So here is the picture summary of our annual camping trip:

Because this is what it is all about  . . . sitting around and drinking coffee:)

 One morning things got even more heated up and we even played balloon toss . . still remaining seated of course!

 Spencer

 Ken and Spencer

 As you may have noticed . .  . temperatures were a bit cooler than what we are used to in August.  Average daily highs were in the low 20's and of course in the campsite it was always cooler than that yet.

 Mel and Kyle

 Kev celebrated his birthday (#12) at camp once again.

 As Tim informed us all . . .its a June bug and a cicada (on their tent)

 Hunter, Tim and Landon playing with the tractors etc on the campsite.

 Kyra

Spencer and Karter in the sand.

  . . .thanks to Kade. 

 I'm not really sure I can explain this picture.  But I do find it quite interesting!

 On the Saturday we had a (extended) family reunion at the beach. . . . convenient b/c we were already there! As part of the reunion there was a sand building contest.  Here are some of the entries:

This is the winning entry . . .based on Revelation and Pilgrims Progress if I got it right.  This is Christian, escaping the snares of sin and temptation. (I think I got that right?!)

Second place

 Our esteemed judges!

 Because of the cooler weather . . there wasn't really any, "man I've got to go for a swim. I'm so hot!" kind of days . . .but the kids went in anyway. I went in the first day and I'm glad . . b/c after that it wasn't even tempting!

 Richard and Savannah

I love this shot!!

(Tim, Landon, and Hunter)

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We did have one rainy night and one rainy day.  But we're used to that!  

It looks like we're watching a show or playing charades or something . . . really we're just staying dry.

 I also love this picture.  Not sure what was so funny anymore, but I wish you could hear them laughing!

 Landon

 Karter

 Savannnah

 We went to the baseball diamond outside the park one afternoon and had a great time. 

(Thanks to Beth for the pictures!)

 Hunter

 Karter enjoying the playground.

 Saige and Kyra

 And I saved my favourite picture for last . .  .Meika pulling a whole wagon load of cuties!!

I don't have pictures of everything I want to remember, so I'll jot a few memories here too:  the golf string ladder game matches against Martine, bocce ball in the park, TERRIBLE showers (do I really want to remember that?!) campfires, huge bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream after my baseball game, yummy suppers, early morning walks with Karter, early morning coffees made by dad, biking into town for ice cream on Kevin's birthday, kids biking to the beach, massive soccer game in the park vs. Dunnville, volleyball games, Jonathan, Kevin and Kade canoeing from Vienna to Port Burwell, kids late for supper more often than not b/c they were having too much fun . . . and probably tons more!

Thanks everyone for making it out whenever you could and for another good year!  The week flew by as usual, but lots of fun and fellowship and relaxation was had as usual.  

Clovermead

As I said in the last post, the kids decided that their reward for passing their swimming lesson levels, was a trip to Clovermead.. I had told them I would probably take them at some point in the summer and since they asked nearly EVERY day as we drove by on our way to lessons, it was kind of nice to take them and avoid further begging!

I drive by this place all the time, but it was my first time in.  Kevin, Kade and Kylie have all been before and were eager to go back. It had been a few years since the boys had been there and there have been lots of changes.  If you are one of the locals and haven't been to check it out yet, I highly recommend it.  We spent 4 hours there (beautiful weather!) and the kids were not ready to leave . . . with the exception of Karter who was VERY ready to leave.  He got his way . . .to the dismay of the other three.

Karter enjoyed it too. There is lots to do for kids of all ages!

Pedal go karts!  I think this was a favorite for most of the kids.  We made a few stops here.

Another favorite  . . .the bouncy pillow.

And the third favorite . . the zip line.

I got a good chuckle out of this sign. (and lots of other ones posted all over the place!)

The wagon ride.

Karter loves his animals!!

My attempt at a picture of the four of them.

The sign got cut off . . .but above the rooster is says: "Photo Op. Strut Your Stuff"

These pictures only cover the tip of the iceberg. There was tons of other "stations" and activities. I should note (because it amused me) that Kylie was a bit nervous about the bees.  They have hives behind glass to view and of course there is a stray bee here and there . . but hardly anything to be afraid of.  It was funny when we went for a bathroom break and found even more hives behind glass in there . . . needless to say . . . I had to come in with her to protect her.  Of course she was perfectly safe.  

Another fun day  . .  and now when we drive by, they don't have to beg to go. Instead they can reminisce about all their lovely memories.  And that is pleasant to the ears.