We are presently camping! Well, I don't know if you would typically call it camping, but that's what we are calling it. :) Our church group has a Heim, otherwise known as a camp or a little retreat center. The couple who faithfully takes care of the place, asked us if we would be willing to stay here and look after things while they went on vacation. (We had done the same thing almost exactly five years ago. You can check out pictures from that time by clicking here. Oh, and that baby boy in those pictures looks a lot like the baby boy we are presently enjoying. And that little 2 year old girl, looking very much like our present little 2 year old Madelynn, is Nina!)
We were a bit hesitant if we wanted to actually do this, but, wanting to help the caretakers out, we said we would. Also, we thought it might be something special for the kids to do during their summer break, as we aren't going on a 'true' vacation. Well, I think that the kids have been enjoying themselves! They are outside pretty much all day long! And, as we eat outside for every meal and are surrounded by woods, we like to say that we are camping. :) We have two little Bungalows which we are staying in. The older five children sleep in one, and the younger two sleep in the other with David and I. It is working out really well.
Even though we've been enjoying the extra time outside in the nature, I think we all are getting ready to go back home (this Thursday)! The kids all say they miss their beds, their rooms, and their toys and friends. I miss my kitchen and everything in it! But, we have made some really good memories from our time here, and I think the kids will remember this experience for a long time!
Here are some photos of some of the things we have been up to.
Practicing our archery skills (not that we have any to begin with)
jumping on trampolines (or sitting)
Who needs a pillow when you have a twin?
lots of snuggles
a sibling photo around the camp's campfire place
playing in the little creek
pushing little ones on the swing (over and over and over and...)
playing in the summer rain with our special blankets
finding baby frogs in our bungalow
"Oh mom, the frog is SO cute!"
Our 7 month old darling baby boy!
helping Papa water the flowers around the camp
(and fighting over the watering can)
climbing into baby brother's bed and playing with him
enjoying a wonderful visit from some friends I made
about 15 years ago during my time in REACH
roasting marshmallows with new friends
catching crayfish in the creek
(see it in the shoe?)
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