Family Camp Solid Rock Bible

Our children just love camp.  This year we decided to go to Solid Rock for their family camp as a vacation.  The cabins were adequate, nothing fancy.  The food -- AMAZING.  Each morning and night we had family devotions with kid appropriate topics.  Most of the time, we just went and did the camp activities as a family.  Rock climbing was the biggest hit. We also learned to play frisbee golf and I loved the late night volleyball game.  However, seeing James up on waterskis was fun as well.  In the early morning James and I got to go for a Soldotna run which was fun.

Nonna (James' mom) came with us and enjoyed carpet ball and archery.  

The biggest hit was the Country Fair which the staff of SRBC put on.  They had free funnel cakes, cotton candy, fun jumping castles, games with prizes, carriage rides, and pony rides.  

We did run into a bit of a snag, I hurt my head bad during a bungee run.  Which is a bit hard to explain, but my father always said I had a knot on my head.  Well, I flew into landed on a knot. So, I am a bit dizzy in the mornings and hope to feel back to normal soon.  

Mountain Bike Mondays

My three kids and I have Mountain Bikes because of a great program called "Mat-Su Kids' Bike n' Hike".  There is a small fee, but you get to use the mt. bike for the entire summer. It has been challenging for Bronwyn but Max and Hannah are doing well.  I love the extra time spent outdoors with my children.

 Mr. Dave Musgrave is amazing with the children.  He is encouraging and is helpful even when they (the children) feel like giving up.  Bronwyn had a fall on the first hill on the first night.  He found out that she is competitive and will try to "race" her to the end.  Thank you Dave for your hard work and love for the sport and kids.

TOBIN!

A SAMPLING OF WHAT WE'LL COVER IN THE PROGRAM:

• Balance and bike handling
• Proper gear shifting
• Descending technique (just say "no" to "endos")
• Ascending technique
• Cornering technique
• Front wheel lift
• Back wheel lift
• The Bunny Hop
• How to do a wheelie
• The Track Stand
• On-trail maintenance
• Food and hydration principles
• Single track practice
• Trail Etiquette for mountain biking

Wasilla High School 20 years

I love to engage with people to hear them deeper than just what is the weather.  So, at my 20th High School Reunion it was hard to just ask the status of people.  The thing I enjoyed the most is to see how normal everyone looked.  It was like we just pushed the fast forward button and there we all were.

If you knew me in Wasilla High School, I didn't hang out with people from my class.  I guess I was "cool" or stupid.  Because seeing all the wonderful people in the class made me wish I'd knew them better.

I did enjoy going kayaking with a friend (Jeanie) on Monday.  We made our friendship after High School in the same way I became friends with Suzanne.  

Celebrate Life!

Birthdays are special because life is special.  God has given us some friends that have 7 of them in one family.  I believe they are extra blessed.  The welcomed little Emmalie.

Something got her to give this cutie face

Yummy

We brought little Willow and she was an instant favorite.  She loved all the attention.  

However, during the candle blowing time, little miss Gabi thought it was ALL FOR HER.  So cute. It actually was Gavin's birthday.  

Summer so far

It has been a blurr of a summer.  I actually got burnt out of the frenzy of activity right at the start.  I was hiking at 6 am, running with a friend, then hiking again at 4 pm.  Somedays I would throw in a tennis match or a bike ride.  Since I was free from my teaching responsibilities and the nice summer weather, I thought I MUST GET OUTSIDE.  However, anything excessive is bad for me.  I was too exhausted to enjoy my husband or children at night. So, after some time of prayer, I began to balance my days.

Monday days: Library (volunteer for an hour while the children read)
Monday nights:  Mountain Bike Riding/class with the children
Tuesday/Thursday: Hike Lazy mountain or anything vertical
Wednesday : knit like crazy (yes, I learned how to knit this summer). Meet with Tamera discipleship
****Running and random adventures with wonderful people sewed in the  rest of the time.

Guess what I made with the help of Uppa? (answer at the bottom of the blog)

Kayaking view in Seward, AK

Summer reading?

Sundays:  Children's church has had a great time with a MISSIONS Emphasis.  I have a great group of volunteers that serve well and love Jesus.  Such a joy to teach worship songs to children (even though I don't have a voice).

Answer from photo above:  Inspired by friends, I made a garden box.  Now I have fresh spinach, radish, and carrots!

Family Camp 2012

We have a family called the body of Christ and the Lord has given us a supreme gift of ours being Lazy Mountain Bible Church.  I have older ladies that correct me when I have gone astray and I also teach the younger women to seek Him.  Once a year, we have family camp. This time it was on Memorial weekend. The sweet spirit of friendship, worship, and togetherness wrapped into a campfire was perfect for my soul.

The amazing bikers

James my faithful packer (when I hate packing)

Juli Millers' cone of goodness (small version)

Capture the Flag!!

Keen Girls

My dear friend Christina and Rusty, Willow and I went hiking.  So fun.

Willow was tired so, she sat on Rusty

Double Birthday party Bella 1 and Cody 8!

 Sweet Music and Worship to our KingRAiny Day Snuggle

So, I learned to knit by TWO amazing teachers Diana and Sheri

We ended school...

The kids were groaning at the end of school as our school ends with review exams and timelines, instead of parties.  We did have the Toga party.  But, the dreaded Year in Review happened.  They all did wonderful and I am excited about their progress.

Now, we are done.  We celebrated after finding out their good test scores with Ice Cream with lots of toppings.  Max who I thought loves math, wrote this sign...

I guess he likes to do it first because it is the most challenging.

Summer schedule for Kids:
1) Read through the Bible time with Mom during weekdays.
2)  Practice honor and being helpful
3) SSR-Silent Sustained Reading 1 hour daily
4) Play outside
5) Mountain Bike lessons on Monday nights
6) Volunteer at the Library, Thrifters Rock, and Animal Shelter


Big events:
Victory Bible Camp (Ranch, Teepee, Alpine)
Valley Performing Arts Theater Camp 2 weeks with a performance at the end
Family Camp at Solid Rock
Sleepovers at Nonna and Uppa

Parents:
Getting to know our neighbors
6am hikes
Mountain Bike Weekend Resurrection Pass Discipleship weekend
Hiking/Rock Climbing Hatchers Pass Discipleship Weekend
Hiking Crow Pass Discipleship Weekend
Mountain Bike, Running, Tandem Bicycling, Roller Blade, Kayaking, Hiking most mountains
Staff Retreat
GARAGE SALE SHOPPING
Work on Spiritual Disciplines
Read many books and knit (Ella only).