Port Burwell 2015

We had a really great year this year at Port Burwell!  We didn't have real hot weather, but we had a bunch of really nice days - starting out cloudy, but ending up quite beautiful. We had one afternoon of rain from about 3-6:30ish and it did come down good and hard and it was a bit miserable and wet for a bit, but other than that it was dry and that is such a huge factor when camping.  I personally felt like I nailed camping this year. I had a bit of meal prep done at home before we came, I packed a little lighter and smarter, and b/c we only had the one rain, I was able to stay fairly neat and organized and you know  . . . .  that makes camping quite a joy!!

We did make it out to the beach most days. There were a few when we were still at camp at 2ish and we were humming and hawing about whether it would be warm enough and worth it to still head out to the beach or if we should just stay at camp and do activities. But we went every day and though there were some dark skies, it usually ended up being really nice!!

Spencer and Karter

There was a Canine Presentation in the park the one day and it was quite interesting  (though a bit long for the kids) It was neat for the kids to see examples of "different" jobs out there. Kevin thought this might be something he would like to do -- except for with the police rather than a conservation officer.

These two get along super well and were found hanging out often!

Spikeball was the game of the year. Kev got it for his birthday and it was a hit with young and old, laides and gents and boys and girls!  We even had a little tournament organized so that was really fun.

Opa playing with the boys in the park.

Kylie enjoying (or not) breakfast. She was eating Shredded Wheat which she told me was "nasty". The greeen beans were super yummy though. It kind of struck me as funny.

I guess this is as good a spot as ever to talk about the poison ivy.  Over half the kids broke out in poison ivy halfway through the camping trip. It put a bit of a damper on it for some of them. Some of them got it pretty bad and so that was kind of sad for them. Kevin and Kylie both had it pretty good and Kade had only a tiny bit which he very willfully did not itch and hence disappeared quite quickly. Kevin and Kylie couldn't resist the itch quite as well and it took about 2 weeks for it to be mostly gone.  I think they will be a little more careful next year!

Out for a ride!

Mom and Dad with 18 out of 22 of their grandchildren. The oldest four were no where to be found . . .

Beach fun.

Saige, Ella, Kyra and Savannah

(Three of these girls graduated from their training wheels this week!)

Jackson and Konnor

I  have never seen Port Burwell water look as nice as it did this year.  The sand/beach is another story  . . .but the water was actually quite beautiful for Lake Erie!

These were the kind of clouds that made deciding to go to the beach or not a bit of a challenge!

Karter and Savannah

I called these girls the box bike kids. They started this trend where they tied boxes (cereal or whatever!) onto the front of their bikes.  The trend caught on really fast - with all the cousins anyway- and by lunch time I think most of the bikes had some box or another on them!!

They had little pinecone pets that they carried around in them . . amongst other things.

Kylie, Summer, and Anna

Karter learned to ride his bike just before camp and he flew around there a bit maniacally. We kept wondering which day would be the big wipe out.  It did come on the second last day and he got a good scape, a good bump, and a good cut from his spill.  I think I'll spare you the bloody picture that I took :)

Singing with Oma.

Coffee around the fire - cozy times - Meika and Kade.

Kyra and Savannah

Marshall

Kylie and Summer practicing their dives . . .

Wave jumping

Spikeball on the beach

Landon

Kade

Because of the "au naturel" beach, there is lots of sticks and stuff with which to build forts and stuff.

Tim and Karter

 It is so beautiful so see Ella here and playing and having a great time. It was a year ago that she had her accident and was in hospital for so long. Things have gone so well and she is doing amazing1 Praise God.

Tim, Hunter, Savannah, Kyra, Karter, and Ella

Savannah and Karter in their tubs.

Konnor's monthly beach picture:)

Karter - this was the afternoon of the bike spill.

Marsall, Blake, and Spencer.

Konnor

Thanks wonderful family for another great year. It really was a good year and the kids had just so much fun. The kids all really played so well this year which made it nice and relaxing for us adults too. Thanks to the family man too for reminding us what it is all about so often:).  Family is a gift and  we are thankful to God for blessing us with  ours.