9/24/10: Church Camping

 

We baked a Lemonade Cake for the Church Campout.  The mixer is LOUD!

Last weekend was our annual church campout. Our church reserves a group campsite and everyone is invited to rent a rustic cabin outfitted with plastic mattress, squeaky metal bed frames, gaping metal screens (holy?) and educational wasp nests built into the walls.

The kids did really well for the most part with everything, even the large storm that blew through on Saturday night.

It really is a lot (A LOT) of work to go camping with kids this age. Neither one of them is afraid (enough) of fire, wandering away or sharp sticks. Lucky for us, our small congregation isn't afraid to pitch in and give a hand when it is needed. And boy, was it needed. John and I are both exhausted from all the running, chasing and other fun - and we had a TON of help.

Just about everyone is willing to pitch in a hand by entertaining kids, chasing them away from any place that is unsafe or including them in their games.

We arrived Friday evening in time to play for a short while before going to bed.

Saturday morning we went apple picking at the orchard nearby. The tractor ride was fun for everyone until we had to get off and you know, actually pick apples.

William and his friend get ready to ride the tractor trailer out to the apple trees.

William is a huge fan of the fresh apple cider.

 

 

Apple cider mustache, tractor riding boy

William was thrilled to be up front with the big kids

William played some soccer by himself and some with the other kids.

William enjoyed a fresh s'more...mmmmm!  I'm not sure how I missed out on this yummy treat (I was putting Amelia to bed).  By the time I got out to the campfire, a huge downpour sent most people scurrying off to bed.

Saturday evening we had church outside followed by a giant meal with everyone together.

Sunday morning we packed our damp selves (5+ inches of rain overnight with all windows in the cabin left open overnight) back up to go home again.

Sunday afternoon, I worked to conquer Mt Laundry while John enjoyed his first professional baseball game in St Louis thanks to some church friends. I stayed home while the kids napped and did the laundry, made chili, and took a nap.