Preparing for the snow

The Youth Camp Lodge just got a VERY needed, new roof. A construction crew from our Church in town had some down time, so they volunteered to help us put the new roof on before the snow. If you think snow is a ways off, we have already had snow on the mountain tops twice and a year ago today, we were sitting in 10 inches of wet, heavy snow. (we usually have light fluffy snow) So this roof is a huge blessing.

Our Crazy 3 weeks

Every year, starting with August 20th, we celebrate Ethan's Birthday, John's birthday, my birthday and our anniversary, all within a 3 week period. It is lots of fun, but straining on the budget at the same time (I am sure you understand). I just wanted to share some pictures from the last three weeks. John and I got home last night from our weekend away in Denver for our anniversary. It was a lot of fun and sleeping in!

Ethan's Party August 20th

John's Birthday August 25th

My Mom's Birthday August 27th (she was with us in Colorado to celebrate)

My Birthday September 1st

The Hyatt in Denver where we stayed for our anniversary
(Thank you priceline for the $45 room!)

Fall is in the air... offically

Today was Ethan's first day of Soccer. It was a day much anticipated and talked about non-stop for the last week. I have rarely seen Ethan so excited about something (Birthdays, Christmas and visits with family aside). It was shocking to me because my timid little boy was actually looking forward to something he knew nothing about, a coach he didn't know, a situation out of his control AND he would be separated from Mom and Dad. It is not that we haven't pushed him to do things in the past, it is just that it never happened without a fight. Ethan loved it. I loved watching him. the scene was hilarious. If you have never watched 4 and 5 year olds play a game they know nothing about, you are missing out. There are those 5 or 6 who are all over the ball, running the game. Then you have the majority of the team acting as "ball magnets," never touching the ball but drawn to the running crowd. They follow the mass of children the entire game, just happy to be running. Then you have those 4 or 5 kids picking flowers, grass and clover, or singing and dancing. My very favorite were the 2 girls, told to stand in specific places and kick the ball when it came to them. THEY NEVER MOVED! They remained in their designated spots the entire game, determined to obey the coach. Adorable (and obedient). Ethan loved it so much, he and John made up a song for the team about soccer.





Progress on the houses is going well. John is really enjoying the responsibilities of his job. He was meant to build. He is meticulous about his work. I enjoy watching him "do all things heartily as to the Lord."





Wade and Matt Lange have been working with John and moving along on some other projects around camp.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bears Bite

The result of last night's late night visitor

Tonight's Revenge

In place of our welcome mat

We screwed this board in front of our door, so we don't expect any visitors tonight, bear or human.

Ethan attempting to make his own bear board

Just a note to those of you who are worried about the bear's health, we don't intend to hurt it, just keep it out of our house.

Still here!

I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten about my blog. We have just had company for the last 10 days and will still have a house full for another week. Ethan turned 5 this last week and John turned 34 today. Needless to say we have been celebrating a lot. In 2 days my mom, who is visiting right now, has a birthday and I have a birthday in a week!!!! Whew! Just wanted you to know that I fully intend to continue to keep you updated, it may just be another week before I get back to it. Oh yeah... I also planned and put on a wedding on the 14th. I was the florist, decorator and caterer... (sigh).

Ahhh...

Last night was the end of summer camp. We celebrated with a large banquet and a time of sharing. I love to sit and hear stories from the summer and the lives that were changed. But today is quiet, peaceful and void of voices. One thing you get used to during the summer is the hum in the air. Voices of children and over-excited teenagers fill the night and day alike. Laughter, cars, squealing, footsteps on the gravel, army trucks, camp vans, work trucks, guitars and slamming doors, have all ceased (at least for today). Most of the 70+ summer staff are in planes and automobiles headed home. As sad as this day may sound to you, I love this day. I feel for an instant that we ARE in the middle of nowhere (which is the case, but with the uniqueness of living at a youth camp, you forget). It is a sign of seasons changing. There is a hint of fall in the air. I am not sure if I think that because it is quiet or if I actually detect fall. The last 3 nights have produced a light fost on some of the roofs. My favorite thing that Fall brings, though, is a sense of family. In the 12 summer weeks of organized chaos, you will find a couple close relationships out of the 70+ staff members. But fall only brings about 12 seasonal staff. They all become part of our lives and families. It is a sweet time of fellowship. So just for today, before Monday comes and camp springs back to life, I am going to imagine I am smack dab in the middle of fall and put on a cozy sweater. I know I am slightly crazy since it IS only the 11th of August, but I did notice one, lone tree turning yellow in a sea of green on the mountain side today. For some reason that tree put me in the mood I am today. Peaceful, happy and sleepy.

Staff housing

Here are a few pictures of house #1's basement walls. They arrive on an eighteen wheeler in large pre-fabricated panels and are assembled at the job site using a 40 ton crane to lift them into place. You can see the window and door already cut into the walls and as well as the factory-installed insulation. A type of caulk/sealant is used join the panels and then seal the inside and outside seam. It is a very cool process and done in a day. Now cement will be poured inside the basement for a floor and bring it all together. Tuesday the second basement will be built. The last picture shows a seam and the bolts that will connect the logs to the basement.