Thursday, September 30, 2010

21 Days of Fun

The CLH photography crew posts pictures each evening of the campers at their activities. These are a few of the moments they captured of our kiddo. We were so grateful to have these as we only received one letter from K until the day before we picked him up. If we didn't have these pictures, we would have been devastated.

I don't have any idea how our parents managed to make it 3 weeks without knowing much.





Getting off the bus at CLH


Skit on the first night of campfire


Rattlesnake Up Cabin on the first day





Adventures in Blobbing


















K's cabin at roughly the midway point
















Frog Day




Dance Night...who are these girls and why is his hair so sweaty? Yikes!




Surviving the Mile Swim





Basketball








Rattlesnakes in the Craft Room

The Frio

While K was at camp, we took our 2nd annual trip to the Frio. Once again we had 3 houses full of family and friends. It was great fun! The only regret we have is that the time can't be longer. It's so good to spend relaxing time with relatives we don't see often enough...it gives our children a chance to know each other and a chance to know our aunts and uncles in a way that wouldn't be possible without this trip.



William



My Trash Man






Boys Enjoying the Water




Hollis



Taylor, J, and Garrison



Carter










Dad's Scary Mustache





Our Awesome Babysitters


Look Mom, Rocks!

CLH Bus

We can't believe K was old enough to go to CLH as a camper this year. As we began preparations, one of the things we had to discuss was whether or not he would ride the bus or we would take him to Mer and Pop. Dad never thought there was anything to discuss...he would go with Mer and Pop. Mom also thought there was no discussion to be had...he would ride the bus like all of the other children.

Score 1 for Mom. He rode the bus, but I'm not sure who had the hardest time...K or Mom. In the end, it was a good experience. It sure was hard to watch that bus pull away with my baby on it. If I didn't know firsthand all of the fun that would follow the bus ride, I don't think I could have actually allowed him to go. Score 1 for K!

Aunt Brooke, Uncle Simon, and all of the kiddos came with us to see K off at the bus in Austin. Uncle Ben had given us some tips from back in the day. He told K to bring a bag of candy to share with the other kids on the bus. It would help him make friends before he even arrived at camp. Attawaytogo, Uncle Ben! Right away K made friends with Sean and Madison. The candy was a nice icebreaker.


1st year



K looking a little worried in the very first seat of the bus. We decided this was not a good plan. J advised him to move to the back with the fellows we just met outside of the bus.


K sharing candy with Madison.


Sean telling his mom goodbye.


This picture helped me survive the first 3 days after K left. He was truly happy in this moment, so I had to be happy, too.



So Longhorn!

Swimming Firsts

This summer was a summer of swimming "firsts." Here they are:

  • K joined the summer swim team.


  • K learned to dive.


  • J graduated from Nitro I. Woo hoo!


  • J learned to love swimming.


  • Mighty took swimming lessons.


  • Mighty can put his face in and swim under water.


  • Carter learned to love swimming and is quite good at it.


  • Hollis wants to swim with no adult help.


  • Hollis jumps in with no warning...keeping us all on our toes!

  • All of the boys learned to jump off of dad's shoulders into the water.


















Welcome Cooper Wilhelmi

The same day we returned from the Hyatt, we welcomed Cooper into our lives. He was an 8 week old Goldendoodle. Since this time, he has stolen our hearts in a big way. He is still a puppy and can cause lots of problems around the house, but he is so cute that he can get away with just about anything.





Hyatt Lost Pines

One of our vacations this summer was to the Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop. Because it was kind of close to home, we weren't sure if it would really seem like a vacation. Boy were we wrong! It was relaxing and fun in so many ways. The guys had a blast. Gran made a comment after we had been there for only about an hour that she hadn't seen Mighty smile so much since he was a baby.

The water park kept us busy for hours on end. We played on the playscape, played soccer one afternoon, and had lots of family time. K even got to ride horses with his dad. He was excited but apprehensive at first. Then his face turned to pure joy. His horse was named Wee Wee. He still giggles anytime he talks about Wee Wee. Boys and their potty jokes...you've gotta love it!