Thursday, May 15, 2008

Church Camping Trip

If I had to describe our church in only one word, it would be FAMILY. Some of the members of the church are literal family of ours by blood or marriage, but many are family by choice. It is such a blessing to me that we moved home and back into the church family that I grew up in before the girls were born. As always, God's timing was perfect because he brought us back here after we knew we were expecting again and before we found out about the triplets. I can only imagine the stress and urgency that would have been involved in getting our house sold, packed, and moved had we only known what was growing inside!!!



Back to the story.... Every year a large group from church gathers at Tugaloo State Park for our annual church camping trip. This tradition didn't start until after Kari, Adam, and I were already grown, so mom and dad never attended... until now. Mom, Kelli, and I took the girls over for dinner on Saturday night, and it's a good thing we've already made our beach trip because after the hours drive home with my four banshees in the car I don't think any of us would have willingly made a longer trip with them to anywhere. Enough of the bad stuff... on to the good stuff. Cousin RyleeAnn (born just 5 days before the girls) and her daddy were among the first to greet us.


When we arrived the girls wanted out to go and find Kay-Kay. They called her and sang her name all the way down the road on the way there, and eventually they found her. We loaded her up with all her little girlies... my four plus RyleeAnn, and sweet, baby cousin EmmaGrace for a quick picture or 20. I am completely sure she didn't mind!!


The girls took a walk down by the lake to check out some geese with Mimi, Sherry, and Cindy.





When they got back it was almost time for supper. I didn't manage to get a photo of everyone who was there, but here are some shots of the crowd standing and lounging around at dinner time.... we're a very relaxed bunch.





While waiting for me to fix their plates both Maggie and Ella got to take a turn holding baby EmmaGrace. This is Maggie's "I'm Too Cool for School" face... notice the tongue hanging out, so cute!!




After supper all the kiddos headed out and found their bikes. Several very generous little ones offered my guys a chance to test out their bikes, helmets, and motorized vehicles. The campground was not safe while Ella was driving, and yet we gave each of the little girls including RyleeAnn a turn riding on the thing with her! The girls wanted me to say a special thank you to Michael who offered up both a bike and his power wheels for their use... he's great boyfriend material already.




We are blessed to be surrounded by such a loving group of people, and what an awesome feeling to be raising our children here among them. Thank you to all the campers for letting us crash the party. We had a great time hanging out at Tugaloo, but next year I suspect that we'll be renting a cottage or bringing our tents to stay.... because it was FUN, and didn't I mention the late night drive home already?!?

11 comments:

Cadi + 4 said...

The girls on the bikes are so cute! Isn't it great when you can just go somewhere and let them run and you don't have to worry too much about them? Looks like everyone enjoyed themselves. Sorry about the return trip. I can only imagine your pain.

Camping would be fun. I was thinking maybe we'd try that next year too.

Cadi

Tanya Siekman said...

Looks like you all had a wonderful time. That is so nice that your church family is so close and you get to do things like that with them.

What great memories for your kiddo's.

Tanya

Brandi said...

It's looks like everyone had a nice relaxing time, and yall are lucky to have such wonderful friends and family to help out all the time. I guess it really does "take a village!"

Denise said...

How awesome! We have an annual camping trip at our church as well but have never gone. After your experience, we might just need to change our minds about that. The girls looks so cute! It looks like everyone had a great time.

Lindsey Oliver said...

I recognize a lot of those folks! Looks like y'all had a great time.

Whitney said...

You guys have been busy! I miss a few days in checking in on you and have lots to catch up on. I am so glad you have fun on the camping trip. Now that the weather is warmer, we need to try to get together again! I have 2 weeks off at the end of June so maybe we can work something out!!

Whitney

~cassie~ said...

There is nothing like having a church family...Looks like you guys had a great trip...

Tabatha said...

I stumbled on your blog by chance and was wondering what area you live in? You don't have to say if you don't want but I live about an hour from Tugaloo and thought that was cool. email: tabatham8@hotmail.com
www.minishfamily.blogspot.com

AUNT BEE said...

I love the pictures. I hate that I missed the bike rides :-(

Jen @ One Moms World said...

This post just made me smile. It is so wonderful and great your church family is so close :)

Julie said...

OMG, this look like so much fun. I was loosing the "lets take the kids on their 1st camping trip" argument until I stumbled upon your beautiful pictures :)