Castaway Club 5

Here are some photos from the last two weeks of our summer assignment at Castaway!  I took a semi-hiatus from the phone, computer, tv, etc - hence the lack of blogging!  This post is really long, but should wrap up most of the last two weeks we spent in paradise.

On special days, we shared treats at the Seabreeze down by the beach!

Logan and Kylie had so much fun with the innertubes!

The last night of Week 3 was a special dinner, so we gussied up a little bit (just for fun!).  This was the best family photo we could pull off.  

Logan was such a cool dude that night!

Benny was beautiful, as always!

After dinner, the kids loved to play on the stage in the dining hall.  Logan was a little shy at the microphone, but that's okay with us.  Of course, Bennett had to try, too.

Fun with frisbee!  Logan and Kylie playing on the lawn.  Logan has a seriously good frisbee arm after all the practice this month!

My new favorite photo of Bennett.  What a sweetie.

Logan hamming it up on a tree stump.  After watching all the games, songs, and characters at Club, everything became a "stage" for Logan.  He loved to make-believe and play "crazy games".

On the evening of the long table, we ate a casual dinner off paper tablecloths.  Logan discovered ketchup.  :)

One day we had the chance to take a boatride.  Bennett was not a fan of his lifejacket.  Luckily, he fell asleep and napped all the through the boatride.  

On the lake!

Digging a hole on the beach and filling it with water became a favorite pasttime.  

Bennett loves to splash!

Bennett crawling on the lawn with the Windjammer (dining hall) in the background.  Bennett did take his first official steps while at camp, but still preferred to crawl.

The boys playing on the tubes after field games one morning.

Club

All the kids at Club during the last week!  What fun for these kiddos!

Both Logan and Bennett loved going to Club.  They loved singing, dancing and watching the games.  Flash and Dash were Logan's favorite characters and we role play them several times a day!  Good memories being made!

Castaway Club 4

We've been having such a blast: the weather has been AMAZING, our friendships are growing, and we're serving the Lord in many special ways...what could be better!  The boys have really been loving camp.  Its been a great experience for us all.  I have really enjoyed focusing on the boys, taking breaks from cleaning, running errands, cooking meals...what a gift to spend each day playing and napping with the kids.  I've also enjoyed the break from the computer!  However, I do have some photos to share...enjoy!

 Logan can be such a ham!  This is along the path to our staff house - he loves to climb on the big rocks.

Bennett and Payton (she is just 3 months older than B and teaching him all sorts of tricks!) hanging out in the Bumbleride on camp!

Playing ball on the lawn after dinner.  Nick and Logan needed a rest.

Logan and Kylie (5 yrs) playing dress up!

 Logan and Bennett playing in our suite one morning before breakfast.

Practicing walking with Daddy!  Bennett took his first independent steps this week!  Woohoo!

Enjoying lunch on the lawn.  We have outdoor lunch a couple times each week.  Logan says, "Lunch on that grass?!  Oh, that's my favorite!"

Logan's sailing adventure with John.  The big boys (John and Logan) have tried to have a special "adventure" everyday and its been such wonderful time for them.

Bennett and I have had adventures of our own...only a few involve eating sand.  Haha.

What a wonderful time!

Castaway Club 3: Carnival Night!

One of our favorite evenings is Carnival Night.  Its a late night, but we've allowed Logan to be a part of the event each week.  Sometimes, if Bennett is well rested, he and I stay out for the fun, too.  Its a surprise for the campers after they come out of Club to see an entire carnival set up.  Its pretty magical to all of us...imagine for a young boy like Logan.  Amazing.  Here are some photos from the Carnivals we've been to this month....

Logan and John with the carnival sign, sitting on the tractor..."thumbs up", if you can't quite see it on the photo.

Pretend driving...another "thumbs up".

Carnival in action!  There are games for the kids to play, they collect "money" which allows them to buy tickets to dunk their leader in the dunk tank, give them a pie in the face, or squirt them with shaving cream.

We often come out to the carnival a little early so Logan can play a few games as the Summer Staff are setting up, before all the kids come out.  Here's Logan playing some golf with our good friend, Kate.

Logan taking some hockey shots with John.

Enjoying a late night snack: some popcorn with Dad!

The whole family at the carnival!

Last week this was the view as we headed home...camp is such a special place and nights like this just can't be topped:

Castaway Club 2: Papa and Nana Visit!

We were so lucky to get visitors June 14-17.  My parents came to spend time with us and it was a welcome distraction.  The first 10 days of our assignment were rainy, busy, and getting into the new routine was a little tough.  So, by June 14, the fun of having Papa and Nana at camp was just what we needed!  It was great!  We had some great weather, so we got to enjoy the outdoors, the beach, and all of camp.  It was a wonderful time!

Bennett LOVES the water.  He keeps trying to just crawl right into the lake - head first.  Yikes!  Gotta keep a close eye on that boy.

Logan playing on the beach with our friend, Nick (18 months).

All of us enjoying the beach - John's schedule has calmed down a little since the first two weeks and he now gets to spend more time with us during the day.

Logan always loves to a tube ride - especially with Nana.

Bennett liked the tube better on land than when I took him in the water.  He wasn't too crazy about floating around.  He still isn't quite walking - although he has started to take some steps (only two or three at a time) independently.

Logan and John got to take a canoe out in the lake.  Logan was thrilled and could have spend the whole day.  He didn't even get nervous about the big waves from the ski boats.

Helping Bennett learn to walk!

Bennett with Papa and Nana.

There were some fun things going on the days Papa and Nana were at camp.  They got to see lots of the craziness we experience all month.  Logan loved showing them around and introducing him to all our new friends.  Logan and Bennett both have quite a following of fans.  Its been wonderful to see them both open up and engage, create new friendships, and build relationships with so many people of all ages.  

Playing with Papa on the private dock and on the playground!

Exploring

Fun with Nana...she is silly (fits right in!)

Papa's Boy

My boys with P & N.

The whole family.

Crazy Logan.  Wonder where he gets that?!

Logan before Club - just jammin'.  He's such a cool dude.  I was lucky to experience a lot of Club and late night activities while my parents were here.  We often took baths and did pjs right after dinner, then all went to Club together to sing and watch the games.  Then my parents would take the kids back to the room for bed while I got to stay out with John - just like the old days!  It was a blast and I was really grateful!

Logan in Club with P & N.  Thanks so much for the great visit!  It was a huge help to me, a great time to look forward to, and so wonderful for the boys!  We love you!