FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

Phillip and Ryan doing some youth team building.

The kids had a chance to do a rope swing as a team builder.

Olivia on the rope swing.

After the kids did the rope swing, they let the adults come up and do it as well. It was a race to see if the adults could beat the kids time. However, some of the rules were changed,
unbeknownst to the adults. The kids won!

The group of boys managed to find sticks everywhere they went!

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

Olivia and Carolyn doing some youth team building. They were strapped together with 2 ropes and had to figure out how to get apart. The solution was really to cheat, but they didn't figure that out!

This was the cabin we stayed in....Bogus Basin. It was nice. We had our own bathroom and 2 sets of bunkbeds plus a queen bed. Pretty cozy setup.

The "girls" always had their own table at meals. It was nice they got to hang out so much.

Phillip showing off one of the views from camp.

Miss Emily hiking up the trail towards the main building.

Still more photos from family camp........

FCBC Family Camp June 26-28, 2009 Cascade, ID

This was from the first night campfire. Phillip and his friend David got a stick burning pretty good and Ken captured the sparks flying off when Phillip blew on it! Cool!

Emily LOVED the campfire. She was cold so she took off her sweatshirt to stand closer to the fire. She enjoyed roasting marshmallows, not to eat them, but just to roast them.

Emily enjoying her roasted marshmallows. I think she roasted about a dozen and ate 2.

I guess Phillip likes his a little burnt? :)

Olivia, me and Ashley waiting for the singing to begin around the campfire.

Olivia 5th grader

Here is Olivia around 3 or 4 years old. Hard to believe she is now 11 1/2 and about to finish elementary school and move on to middle school/junior high! On June 3rd, she will graduate from elementary school with a formal ceremony. It will be a proud day as a parent. She has grown into a beautiful young woman who we are very proud of. She has a compassionate heart, a quick wit and a clever mind. Try not to grow up too fast please. We love you Olivia Jane!!

Our beautiful girls growing up so fast! This is one of my new all time favorite photos!

Emilyism

Today for our dinner, I served Emily some applesauce. Up until a few months ago, she seemed to enjoy applesauce and ate every bite. Somehow her palate has changed and she really doesn't like it anymore. She asked me if she could be done with her applesauce and I told her to take some more bites. After a few seconds of silence this is what she says..."Mom, I'm allergic to applesauce". Of course I tell her she certainly is NOT allergic to it and she needs to eat it now. Ashley then puts her two cents in by telling me that actually that was a pretty smart strategy. Thanks for encouraging your sister Ashley!

My baby is almost 5!!

This was her birth announcement photo.

We call her our little ladybug so naturally she had to have a ladybug blanket.

Here she is right after they pulled her out!

Life is so bright, she's gotta wear shades.

In her bed sleeping with the pillow of her siblings handprints.


My littlest one will be 5 on Tuesday. It seems like only yesterday she was our precious babe who we could hold in our arms while she slept. It is bittersweet having her turn 5 and preparing to start school in the fall. I miss the baby stage, but love watching her grow and learn and just be filled with joy about life. She never fails to make us smile and those she comes in contact with say they will never forget her. She is darling and funny and knows how to make you laugh. She is sweet and compassionate and willing to help. She is independent and daring and eager to try. We love her to pieces and can't wait to see what God has in store for her.
Happy Birthday sweet Emily Kathleen!!

Emilyism

Today while serving lunch, I gave Emily a cup of milk to drink. Olivia came and sat down and Emily told her "I've got your cup." I thought I had given Emily Ashley's cup, but I had given her Olivia's. I told Olivia I was sorry, that was not what I had meant to do. She just shrugged her shoulders while Emily proceeded to point out to me that "it was a mistake."