Overpackers Anonymous

Well, after browsing the pictures on the camp website, one thing became glaringly obvious to me. I have overpacked for my kids again. Here they are in some pictures from day 2 at camp in the same clothes that they wore up there. I hope that they are having a great time! The weather has been great for them. If they can manage to escape rain later in the week, this might be the best weather of the summer to be there.

The house is definitely like a different planet without them here. I don't think the animals know how to act with the quiet and calm atmosphere. They were definitely glad to see me get home from work today!

Tommy with the Wrangler crew!

Tyler (from the back)

Camping fun

Our kids posted today on Asbury's site

The Wayfarers

Does anyone see Tyler in there?

Zachary enjoying circle time

Zachary with his group

Jordan having fun

Asbury Hills, here we come!

The house is finally quiet!!! After much shopping, packing, loading, and unloading, the boys are finally settled in at Asbury Hills camp for the week, and their dad is off at Networkers in California. I am just not going to know what to do with myself this week!

Jamie left at lunchtime on Saturday, and the boys and I were off to Kohls and Wal Mart to pick up some last minute things for camp and also some back to school stuff. I had to take full advantage of my 15% off coupon, after all!

Today, we just went to to 9:00 service at church, then off to the gas station to fill up and wash the car, and then to Larry's Giant Subs to eat before loading up back at home. We met at Freida's house at 12 and were off to Asbury Hills! Tommy rode with Corey, and Joyce rode with me and Tyler along with her two boys, Zachary and Jordan. In my car, the boys had a great time all playing their Nintendos against each other in the back seat, and Tommy and Corey had a good time in the other vehicle watching "Anchorman". I am sure that Randal and Freida will not soon forget the serenade of "Afternoon Delight" that they got along the way.

The weather was surprisingly comfortable, and the cabins were all close, so it wasn't so bad dropping them off. We had to make a couple of trips to the office to sign some forms for horseback riding, and we had one little hiccup with Tyler's cabin, but we were still out of there by about 3:45. I have already emailed them, and I am anxiously awaiting some pictures to be uploaded to the camp website!

Oh, the love between Mother and son . . .

Tyler was not in the mood, either

Finally at camp!

Tyler kicking back while Jordan plays Nintendo

Tyler checking the dvd out with Zachary

Tommy and Corey watching a dvd

Freida and Randal putting up with Mom paparazzi

Tommy and Corey at their cabin

Tyler waiting to find his cabin

Tyler with his counselor, Preston

Joyce is glad the boys are settled!

Visit with Papa J and Mama Rhette

Tonight we went to Barnwell for food and family time with Papa J and Mama Rhette along with Mama Rhette's many sisters. The boys did not know that you could actually cook fried chicken at home, so they really enjoyed that experience! Aunt Wendy had lots of fun catching everyone at their best on her camera phone and posting the pictures on her blog. Check out Don and Wendy's blog to see the fun had by all!

Last Day at the Beach

Today was probably our last day on the beach :( It was supposed to be really hot, but there was a nice breeze, so it wasn't really that bad. The sisters were down on the beach early, and I went down about an hour later. The boys didn't go down until 5 when they could take Casey back. While they were there, Tommy ran into a few girls that he met last year, and Cara came over to the house for dinner. It has been a wonderful week - we will have a busy day packing, loading, cleaning, and unloading tomorrow.

The sisters getting ready to head to the beach

Casey lounging on the comfy couch

Casey basking in the sun on the deck

Mimi joining in a game of horseshoes on the beach

Mimi got a ringer!


Tommy and Cara on the beach

Mass Exodus

On Thursday, we saw most of our friends and family departing with one new arrival. Stephen and Melissa left first at about 11, then Cyndi and Liam at 12 followed by Brad, Beth and Yates and finally Nadene, Nancy and Erin. Later that evening Aunt Deborah and Aunt Iva Jane arrived for a visit. Casey really enjoyed the water as you can see, and is getting braver and braver!

Erin saying goodbye to "Miss Kim"

Erin saying goodbye to Bobo

Tyler catching a wave with Casey

Casey's ears flapping in the wind as she gallops in the waves

Casey bringing Dad some seaweed

The guys with Casey

Mimi enjoying the mahem

Sisters - Deborah, Sherrille, and Iva Jane

Happy 4th of July!

We had quite a full day for the 4th of July. We started out on the beach at about 11:30. Cyndi and Liam arrived at about 2:30, then Beth, Brad and Yates arrived later in the afternoon. It was a great day at the beach - the weather was perfect. We had a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs when we all got cleaned up, then we went down to the beach to watch the fireworks. Stephen and Tommy also gave us our own show. It was a really great day!

Tommy relaxing on Stephen's float

Erin and Yates playing with the tractors

Nana Nancy sitting in the shade

Erin strikes a pose

Castles in the Sand

Tommy and Liam catching a wave

Liam running along the shore

Me, Nadene, and Beth

Cyndi and Tommy

Liam and Tyler

Brad the Master Barbecuer

Erin in her July 4th outfit

Fireworks on the beach

Stephen looks nervous!

Me, Melissa, and Cyndi

Nadene and Me

Jamie and Me

Nadene and Nancy