Laity Lodge Family Camp 2015

What another amazing time at LLFC. This year we planned ahead and reserved our spots during Spring Break which means we got to stay an extra day which was so fun. We had always wished we could spend a little more time there. It is about a 3 hour drive so an extra day made that a little easier as well.

The same core 5 families went this year - Truss, French, Zimel, Schooler and Risinger. We were trying to think how many years we had been going - at least 5 - and I think it was our 6th because we have been going one year without anyone else.

Headwaters within LLFC is just so nice. . . the food is good. . . the fellowship is good. . . the time away from all electronics is wonderful. I love that your cell phone does not work in the canyon. It is such a relief. We decided to leave Matthew with Mimi and Grandpa this year but will probably bring him next year - he will be ready!

We have already signed up for next Spring Break! Alivia is going to sleep away camp this year to LLYC and is so excited.

The girls

We did archery and riflery with the older kiddos

The Truss Family

The French Family

The Zimel Family

The Schooler Family

The Risingers!

Girls showing off their skills

The guys!

All the girls

John loved having the freedom to be able to ride his bike all over the camp on their paved trails

Cute girls - Becca brought her BFF Michayla

John's First Break

John broke his arm not soon after we got our new playset in the backyard. No one saw it but from what I can tell he was on the monkey bars and fell off them - most likely on an outstretched arm. When I came home from work it had just happened and I could tell by the look on his face that it was broken. We took him into the Pedi Ortho the next day and yep, a buckle fracture of his right arm. He handled it like a champ and seemed almost excited to get the cast on! And the sucker that he received afterwards was a definite hit as well. I have a feeling this will not be his last cast. :-(

Classic Buckle Fracture 

Loving the cast. . . at first

SIX WEEKS LATER - it was dirtier and more tiresome. But he still handled it like a champ

Note to self - PAY EXTRA for the waterproof cast. I have no idea why I did not do this. It was so stressful on Matt during bath time to try and keep this thing dry.

Last few moments of the cast - he was so nervous about the saw that was going to cut it off

Nervous. .  . 

The cast removing machine

SO gross!!!

Now a splint - not sure how much he is actually going to wear it.

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He was so relieved when it was all over - he fell asleep as soon as we got into the car

Random Pics to end 2014

John in Carrizo

Sitting on the Knox's porch with my boys

Watching the Christmas lights show at Mozart's Coffee

Light show at Mozart's

Risinger, Kinslow and Mezger kids on a hike on Christmas Eve - we needed to get some energy out!

John and his friend Tyler - Tyler's dad is one of the pastor's at our church and had a lot going on Christmas Eve so we brought him home with us after the service for dinner

Santa arrived at 11303 Madrid Drive!

Santa brought Daddy some BOOTS!

Santa brought John a John Deere tractor

Our Christmas card from this year (front side) 

One of my favorite gifts this year was this sweet note from Alivia with a homemade ornament - so sweet

Getting donuts on a Saturday morning - LOVE this new track suit of Matthew's. He looks so cute in it.

The boys at RVG with Mimi and Grandpa

Walking to the Domain for dinner at CPK

The boys headed to Bertram for one last deer hunt of the season 

Favorite Christmas gifts this year - SKATES for all!

Our hardwood floors will never be the same. :-)

Sister has taken a true love for reading - I thought this was a sweet moment

Alivia and her friend Truett from school - Truett was adopted from the Ukraine about 5 months ago

Thalia Ledie and John were fast friends - John even asked if he could have a baby sister later that night! 

In Waco at an old fashioned pizza joint before we hit the Waco Zoo - really fun day

Matching boots with my girl

Mimi and Matthew - when our family goes on adventures sometime we leave Matthew behind with Mimi and Grandpa which they all seem to enjoy a lot

Love this shot

My boy is never happier than when he is out in the woods hunting with his Granpda. Here they are in Carrizo one wintry Saturday. They had shot a hog earlier in the day. I am so grateful that Granpa will take Will (and John!) to go hunting with him.

Alivia is NINE! Will is SEVEN!

BY ALIVIA

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Aqua

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Noodles and sauce and pizza

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Kirsten Saves the Day (American Girl book)

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: A vet

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: roller skates

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Rainbow Loom

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: Opening my present on Christmas with the roller skates in it

Q: What is your favorite thing about Third Grade?

A: Having friends at school

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: The Odd Squad

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Lainey, Anna, Josie, Avery and Paige

BY WILL

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Black

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Pizza

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Berenstain Bears

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: A fisherman guide

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: my pocket knife

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: go hunting with Grandpa

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: going hunting at Carrizo with Grandpa

Q: What is your favorite thing about First Grade?

A: That I get to sit at a desk

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: The Odd Squad

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Avery and Paige

Alivia's 9th Birthday

Alivia wanted a skating party for her birthday. Avery had just had one a few weeks before and she got roller skates for Christmas and roller blades for her birthday. It was a really fun day full of friends and lots of skating. It is crazy to go back to the roller skating rink that I grew up going to. Playland has not changed very much.