What a great time we had in Rhode Island! Our family took four kids from our church and headed for Camp Davis. There we dropped off my husband, Ricky, Ryan and our church kids. I took our four younger kids and stayed with my sister and her three cute kiddos. Sarah and I did take all the kids and visit camp one day and thoroughly enjoyed watching some of the activities and eating lunch with everyone before we took the kids home for nap time.
Here is a sampling of pictures from our week...
Loading up early Monday morning...(Ryan loved being on top of the van!)
Buckling everyone in...
Don't forget Jack!!
We had to leave this cute girl behind as she was too young. She came to tell her siblings good-bye. I would have loved to have taken her. She is a joy. (I love you, Cheri!)
My view from the front seat...They were only too happy to pose when I turned around with my camera. ;)
The Maine state line is in the middle of this bridge. It always causes a lot of excitement whenever we cross it.
"Betty the Bug" This is in Providence and seeing it means we are almost there. Rachel named the bug a few trips ago. You can click on it if you want to see it better.
Hana was feeling a bit apprehensive when the buses were loading to depart for camp.
They were separating the girls and the boys and Hana was the only girl from our group. My ter-Rick-fic man ran over there and told her he would be "one of the girls" which set Hana off in a gale of giggles. I love these two shots. (By the way, I was able to introduce Hana to one of the lovely young ladies from Sarah's church and Hana had made several new friends in no time. She makes friends rather quickly wherever she goes.)
The boys lining up...
Playing around at camp...
Whatever happened to camp???? When I was younger (and, yes, I am VERY well aware how long ago that was!) we did things like volleyball, dodgeball and things of that nature. But now camp lingo includes zip lines, rope courses and cat walks. I like my feet solidly on the ground, thank you!
The zip line was one of the favorite activities for everyone. After a person gets harnassed and double-checked they climb a ladder. When the ladder ends they proceed to climb the rungs that are in the tree until they reach a small platform. Once there, another worker checks them again and gives final instructions before pushing the person off. Each person's reaction seems to start with fear and much prayer on the platform...to disbelief as they are pushed off...to exhilaration and pride that they really did it. They really climbed that high and went down the zip line.
Everyone was safe. I know. I was there. But I am VERY afraid of heights. I found it difficult and even "dizzying" (my own word) to look up to take pictures. I was amazed how many people opted to do this activity.
Here is Dylan on the platform...
Ryan helping Ricky prepare...this was taking place while I got over my immense shock that Ricky was going to do this. Ricky is also VERY afraid of heights. I am constantly amazed how he works through his fears to do something anyways.
I missed seeing Ryan doing the zip line which is too bad. He has NO fear of heights. It would have been fun to watch.
Climbing the tree. This is where Mom starts to cry. Not out of fear mind you, but out of pride. (Well, okay, a little fear, too.)
"I did it!!" (And his Mom's heart can beat at a normal rate once again...)
My brother-in-law/Uncle Paul/Pastor Chapman/Uncle Stinky/Pink Fairy did it, too. Can't let the kids have all the "fun"!
Rick wanted in on the action, too. (Hope that life insurance policy is paid up!) I live very happily with my feet planted firmly on the ground....why can't everyone else??
The ironic thing is....Sarah wanted to do it! Physically she is not able to now, but she loves this kind of stuff! I will let her carry the adventurous spirit for the both of us. (Thanks, Sis!)
Walking away triumphant..
Did I really go all the way up there?!?
This is a wonderful lady from Sarah's church. She went up for Sarah. I guess she had gone before we came and Sarah really wanted to see it. This lady was scared to death, but went up again anyway. (I do not know if I love Sarah that much!)
Mentally preparing...
Praying....
One last look....
And letting out the loudest yell I have heard in a very long time...(The look on her face is priceless! Click on it to get a better look.)
My very busy Joshua...he was everywhere!
Cute Katie. And how fun to hear her talk! She's a smart one!
Stacey declaring that she is 6. (She is only 4, but she was standing on something. Since she was taller she figured she must be older! If this is true, I will never stand on anything again!! LOL)
Jonathan found something even taller so he decalred he was 7! Silly kids! ;)
My very handsome nephew! He is my little Buddy! We make lots of plans when Mommy isn't listening. So fun! I cannot believe he is starting school next week...he is growing up so fast.
Busily building...
Amos getting ready for lunch...
Jonathan (I am telling you this kid has more faces than all my other children combined.)
A hot, tired and sweaty Joshua...he had played hard! He just wants his hot dog and chips. That is perfect camp food, by the way!
The cat walk was a log high up in the trees. Again, everyone was securely harnassed. Many kids said it was scarier than the zip line as you are slowly walking across a high log. They would walk the length of the log, touch the other side, turn around, walk back to the middle of the log and stop. At the signal, they would jump and they would be let down slowly.
Here is Alex...
All done!
Ryan's turn...
I think Ryan's favorite part was getting to flip upside down on the way down. He sure made it look like fun!
AAAAAHHHHH...Frog ice cream. As I recall Sarah and Rachel had purchased ice cream for everyone at home to enjoy. They picked out Rachel's favorite which is mint chocolate chip. Sarah expressed some concern when we went to serve the children that her kids might not like that flavor as they had not had it before.
So I proceeded to tell an "Aunt Jennie story" of frogs and sore throats and how the best cure in all the world for a sore throat is this frog ice cream that we were having that afternoon. Furthermore, I instructed the children that any time in the future they had a sore throat they should request this very special cure. (And for all you "healthy people"-- do not get upset with me. I am the "aunt" and am therefore granted liberties in the fun department. I watched my sister LOVE being an aunt for several years before I got my turn. I need to make up for lost time!)
In case you are wondering, not only did they love the ice cream....there were constant complaints of "sore throats" for the remainder of my visit! (We had more "cure" the next day...)
And if you do not think this "cure" works, check out these happy patients...
I admire my sister for more reasons than I can list here, but just one of those reasons is how she makes being a Mommy so much fun! Sarah cannot spend much time outdoors due to her health, so others help to make sure the children get to do that. But Sarah wants the inside to be fun, too! They have a large main living area and the kids have "indoor-only" bikes. My kids think this is so great! I mean, really...how many Moms allow bike riding in the living room? Mrs. Marlene Evans would be so proud! This is one Mom who has her priorities straight. (Of course it doesn't hurt to have a large space with hardwood floors, either. LOL)
Stacey playing the piano...
Jonathan got A LOT of clothes from Paul that he had outgrown. Here are just two of his many, many favorites. (Thank you, Paul, for sharing your clothes! You were so generous and sharing with all of your toys. I am very proud of you!)
Missy-one of my daughter's favorite reasons to go to Aunt Sarah's house.
The campers made crafts at camp. My husband joined in the fun and made one for me! How fun to pick up the campers and get this from my ter-Rick-fic man! And, yes, I know that the "L" is backwards...but they were making painting molds and he forgot to turn that letter around. But to me, that just adds to the charm. I love that man!! (No comments, Sarah!)
And then, just for fun, I inverted a few pictures. Looks like I have some gravity-defying spidermen! ;)
Thank you to the Chapmans and there wonderful church for a great week! We had a great time!
And thank you, God, that I have a working washing machine again!!!!!!! So glad to get those camp clothes clean!!
Thanks for stopping by,
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