Bonclarken

 When first moved here two years ago, we visited a lot of churches... like a lot.  It took us a long time to feel like God wanted us at Clover ARP.  Honestly, I still struggle with some things at the church, but we feel like the issues that we have (as of now) are minor issues... not Kingdom issues.  But, that is perhaps a post for another day.

 I have been in many different denominations in my lifetime, but never ARP.  Apparantly, within the  ARP church, Bonclarken is the thing to do.  Our church, once a year, takes a weekend camping (or hoteling if you dont camp) to Bonclarken.  It is a time of fellowship and fun.  I will be honest and say that I was absolutely wiped out after our first Bonclarken experience.

Here is a run down of what we did at Bonclarken.

Eat.  This was by far the best meal we ate, probably because we did it on our own with a couple other families.

Yum Yum, eat 'em up

Zipline.  Hunter and I did this together so I didnt get any pictures of us going down.  But, Jay and Ashton went together and Ashton loved it.  He then went down Couirtney as well.

Jay and Ashton getting ready to go up

High up there.

Love this.  Ashton threw his arms out once he saw Jay throw his out.

My turn to go up.  Hunter was still getting his harness on.

Rock Climb.  Ashton was quite the rock climber.  He did all 3 levels and was complimented by the instructor guy... so of course now, he thinks he is the best rock climber of all time.  Hunter did not attempt it, more on that later.  And Shepherd attempted it as well.

He really was good.  

Wrestle.  For the most part, we hung out with Jay, Courtney and their girls and Matt and Danielle (who are getting married this fall!!!)  Matt, Jay, and Danielle played with our boys so much.

Bless Matt.  You can tell that he is the youngest of 4 kids and has bunch of nieces and nephews.  Shepherd was quite comfortable with Matt and "fawted" on him. 

Danielle and Matt playing a game with a bunch of the kiddos.

Matt and Jay getting Ash and Shep to kiss each others feet.

Kickball.  No picture of this mostly adult kick ball game, but it was funny and competitive.  Jay graciously picked me first and then I dropped the first ball kicked to me (never claimed to be good with my hands).

Stay up late.

Glow sticks and movie night

One of the few pics of Chad.  During most of the activities, he took Bennett back to the room to take a nap.... he might have taken one too. ;)

Have church.  Sunday morning we had a church service outside and sang a couple songs.

Bike/ Pool.  No pics of the pool,

Bennett lovin the pink 4 wheeler

Hilarious picture of our pastor pulling some of the littles around

Some fun pics of what happens when you 

1) havent ridden a bike in awhile. 

2)  ride an old bike with iffy brakes.  

3) ride a bike that isnt yoiurs.

4)  dont wear a helmet. 

Thankfully, Hunter has healed really fast.  His scab has already basically come all the way off and has been replaced with shiny, pink, baby skin.

Ouch.  He totally wiped out... from his knee, to elbow, to back , a little spot on his belly, and head.  

This is blurry and doesnt do it justice.  But, a couple hours after this was taken, he had a great a goose egg and a deep blue bruise (which you can kind of see forming in this picture).

A CVS trip worth $45 and a $4 Starbucks coffee for me and he is good to go.  

So, what do I think about Bonclarken?  It was fun but exhausting.  We got to know some people better and formed some stronger connections with some friends we already had.  Hopefully, we will get to go next year.  I know the boys, especially Hunter since he missed out on some fun, will want to go back.

And thanks to Uncle Nolan for watching Molls and Mosie.

Week of the 4th- Part 2- Chad's Family

I am behind on blogging... sorry.  We really have been busy this summer.  This week has been a catch up week on housework, yard work, etc.

So, lets back up to the 4th of July weekend.  The boys and I left my parents house on Friday and headed over to Chad's parents.  Chad had just gotten back into the country the day before so he met up with us later that night.

Papa Hub AND Grandma came up with the idea to put a big ol piece of plastic down the big hill in their front yard for a huge slip n slide.  Once the kids got the hang of it (and put a shirt on), they had a blast.  Hunter served as the "sled" for the younger kids the first day and his back paid the price.  Plus, everyone got at least one ant bite.  Hunter got in them good.

Hard to tell from the picture but his whole back had this rash looking thing on it, plus he had ant bites.

The second day, Tommy, Sandee and Chad were there to slide too.

PapaHub getting ready to spray it down for Shep.  

Shep's face says it all as to what he thought about it.  He did a few times the first day and none on the second.  

Charlee getting in on the fun

Sami didnt let being little stop her.  She is fearless.

Ashton going down

Hunter trying to stay on course.

Bennett went down with Hunter as his sled.  Bennett took a huge wipe out while standing at the bottom of the hill.  It is on facebook should you want to see it.  

Moses desperately wanting in on the action.  The second day, I brought him out and he hung out by the creek with me, Bennett, and Shep.

Saturday, the 4th, we had a big cookout at the pool with the family.  It is good to catch up with everyone.  Chad's aunt had knee surgery, his 2nd cousin had back surgery, I had surgery on my arm all in the last few months, so it was good for everyone to there.  

Fun at the pool.

The sliders.

Took awhile to convince him, but he finally did it.

Hunter and his goggles... mercy

Charlee flying down.

Shepherd probably went down this slide close to 50 times.  His little toes were raw

Dinner time... Aunt Joan announcing when Chad's cousin, Johnny and his fiance' are getting married in April!  

The kids table.  

After dinner, Sandee, Charlee, Hunter, Ashton, Shep, and me went into town to see the fireworks.  This blurry  picture below is the one and only picture I have of myself from this entire week.

Proof I was indeed here.

Because Bennett didnt go to the fireworks, PapaHub took him on a trekker ride.  He is in hog heaven

And just because it is sweet.  I think God took these two from the same mold- one in dog form and one in human.  

Again, thanks to PapaHub and Grandma for a fun weekend at your house!  We were all exhausted when we got home!

The Week of the 4th - Part 1- My Fam

The week of the 4th we headed down to spend it with my family for the first part and then went to Chad's family's house.  The boys, dogs, and I got down to my parents while Chad was still in Poland (more on his mission trip later... I have asked him to "guest" blog for me to record his amazing trip.)

We decided to go down a day early because my brother and his family were coming down and the boys had spend a lot of time with them.  The cousins had a blast.  They seriously love eachother and we barely see them.  Between the pool, the sprinklers, and a mini fireworks session (courtesy of Uncle Zach), we had a great visit with them.

First up, a game of sprinkler kickball.  

Rounding the bases.

Hunter is up.

Gettin some coaching from Uncle Zach.  Look at Aunt Anna'a baby bump!!!  New niece or nephew in December!! :)

Shepherd rounding first base.

Moses making the save

And then either going after the water or sniffing Hunter's butt.

And then eating the water... He is slightly ADHD.

He's safe!

Esme getting in on the action.  She had to have her shirt off like the boys.  Bless this little girl with all these brothers and boy cousins.

Brother and sister hounds love the water.

Miss Isla Maria happy to have everyone (but Nolan) home.

Then Fireworks.  This was hysterical to me.  These were little fireworks but the boys LOVED them.

Queenie and Isla enjoying the "firework" show

Shep's excited look... he has done this since he was a little baby.

Oh the suspense.

Bennett loves fire so he was happy to help Uncle Zach

A whole lot of boy

Just a sweet picture of Ashton and Essie.

 Lastly, was the pool.

Beez was cautioius at first 

He clung to Queenie, but she wasnt having it...

But then he decided it he really like it. :) 

Most of the gang

Owen REALLY loves to swim

Ok, never mind.  He is scared senseless.  ha. Fun times!

Happy kid

Ashton is doing so much better in the water.  They all took individual swim lessons this year... more on the later, but suffice it to say, huge success!!!

The next day, we met up with Jodi and her kiddos.  We had lunch and then headed over to her mom's house to swim.  Before we knew it, six hours had past.  Time flies when with this sweet bunch.  Barely remembered to pull out the camera and the pics I did get are not good.

Ashton, Karson, and Hunter

Shep and Connor.

Thursday, we got to meet up with some more friends.  Olivia and her crew met us for lunch.  Again, so blessed with this friendship.  Feel so bad that I totally neglected to take a single picture.  But her boys and my boys pick up their friendship each time as effortlessly as Olivia and I do.  

Queenie and Mantis took the boys and me to see the movie, Inside Out.  The boys had been dying to see it but I was too cheap to take them.  Thanks for taking us!

This is perhaps the worst picture ever but I it cracks me up... merely proof we were there.

And last was the lake.  We love taking the dogs to this lake.  The kids have a blast.  It was overcast the evening we went because normally there are a lot of dogs out here.  I will admit, even with 3 adults, supervising 4 kids (3 who a the time could not swim at all on their own), and 4 dogs it is a bit lot stressful.  There are phone pics so they are not super clear.

Chase.  I dont know where Eddie is, but he was there somewhere.

Even Molly is excited to be here... she is actually running down the hill

Hunter wasted no time jumping in

Puppies jumping off the dock

Mom and dad, thank you so much.  You guys are amazing and have helped us sooo much these last couple months.  We all love you!