July Dinners

It's just about the best eatin' in Indiana in July. 

My co-worker gave me some basil from her garden which inspired a caprese salad.  I needed some garden fresh tomatoes so Camden and Kevin stopped at a home stand where Camden saw some sweet corn and wanted it.  Mmmmm.  Dinner is taking shape.  Kevin already had venison out for burgers and wanted to use up the end of a package of sweet peppers before they went bad.  Add some onions and a grill basket for a delicious topping.

Hendricks Co. 4-H Fair

Sunday night we headed to Danville for the fair.  We've gone one or two other times and this is the nicest fairgrounds I have ever seen.  This was opening night, so no rides were open; however, an online kids magazine sponsored a free inflatable and game area. 

All the concessions and barns were open so we went through that area and enjoyed seeing the horses, eating a pineapple whip & elephant ear, and making our way to the kiddie pedal tractor pull.

Camden wanted to do it, so we waited and waited and waited through 2 younger age groups with lots of competitors.  I thought for sure she would give up, but they were giving bags of candy to each participant, so she wanted to stay and try it.  I'm not sure why because the bag of candy sits in the kitchen untouched almost a week later.  She loves the idea of candy, but doesn't really eat it very much.

Anyway, for her group (56-70lbs), they had 5 weights on it.  She did really well.  She made it to within a foot or maybe two of a complete pull.  Only 2 kids actually made a full pull. 

Things With Wings

Crawfordsville Parks and Rec does a week-long day camp called, "Things With Wings."  The kids are dropped off at the park in town at 8:30am and then ride a bus to Camp Rotary (about 10 minutes outside the city) for a day of field journaling, experiments, crafts, inventions, sports, exploring, and lots of fun.  They are picked up at 3:30pm back at the park.  There is also an overnight/sleep over on Wednesday (tonight) so they can explore the nighttime adventures of bugs and birds.

Camden's backpack was loaded with all her gear and she was ready for another camp.  She is old hat at this now and doesn't even blink!

Checking out the creek while waiting for everyone to arrive....

Celebration of Life Party

We have a friend who was severely burned in an industrial accident 17 years ago.  Every year, around the time of his accident, the family invites everyone to come out to their home for a big party.  The purpose of this party is to celebrate the fact that David survived despite the fact that doctors gave him a 125% chance of dying, to tell their friends and family “Thank You” for encouraging, praying for, and supporting them through the tough times, and to thank God for all He has done in their lives.

We have really only gotten to know them in the last few years and this was the first party we have been able to attend.  We went to their Fall gathering and know they know how to host a get-together.

Every year has a theme and this year it was "That's Amoré".  The food was, obviously, all Italian.  And yummy!  Their setup/backyard makes it extra amazing.

They kept the pool closed for the first hour to give everyone time to eat and mingle.  There were over 100 people celebrating!  Camden was so excited to enjoy the water (complete with fountain, hot tub, etc.).

We all topped off the evening by making Italian Soda's at the soda bar.

Every year they use this party as a way to support the burn-survivor community.  They also have written a book this past year and have a blog (http://www.bowersministry.com/) about the accident, their experience and life since. 

Camp Pick-up

Saturday morning finally arrived and Kevin and I headed to Twin Lakes to pick up Camden.

We arrived as the kids were assembling at the flag pole then getting breakfast.  We parked the car at her cabin and walked to the breakfast area to join everyone for a cinnamon roll and a closing program.

She spotted us coming...

We stood near her cabin's table.

We had about 20 minutes before the program so Camden gave us a quick tour of the grounds near this area.  One large building held the indoor chapel (below) and then connected to another building which was the dining hall.

Just outside of that was a walking bridge and the canoe/paddle boat/fishing area.

She was loving being the "expert" and giving us a guided tour of her week of fun.

Back toward the outdoor eating area was the prayer chapel.  We entered through the garden path and then down to the bleachers.  She told us we had to be quiet and respectful in this area.

We headed back for the program where songs were sung and an overview of the week was given.  A few kids gave brief testimonies of what they had learned.

We headed to her cabin, picked up her packed items, and talked briefly with her counselor about how the week went.  We were getting in the car and she decided she wanted to give a tour of "challenge mountain" and the "prayer walk".  She took her dad and they were gone for a while.  I guess she took him deep into the challenge and they both got quite a workout for the day.

She said she didn't miss us at all and can't wait to come back next year.  I believe her that she had a fantastic week and even matured a little.  However, I did hear her say, as she climbed into bed on Saturday night, "Aahhh, it's good to be home."

One More Day...

Looks like a trust walk.

Eyes closed, but happy!

More Twin Lakes

Kevin and I disagree that it is Camden in the water pictures from yesterday.  He says it's definitely NOT.  I'm still on the fence.  There is another girl that looks a little like her and it might be her...regardless, it gives the idea of some of the stuff they are doing.

Storms have been through the area yesterday and a bit today.  They have done a lot of indoor activities.  Still looks like fun...

Indoor group activities like Red Light, Green Light.  Camden has her stuffed kitten playing too (she's holding it up in the second picture)...hope that hasn't been a problem.

No pictures of Camden, but some other activities they are doing.

Game Room:

 

Camp Store/Snack Bar (I'm sure Camden is plowing through her spending money here):

Zip Line:

Swimming at the Lake/The Blob:

Glimpses from Camp

So thankful that Twin Lakes has a nice Facebook page where they post TONS of daily pictures.  It's a little like "Where's Waldo" as I search for Camden in them.  Good thing I know what clothes she packed; it's proven to be very helpful.  Side note:  also glad I packed TONS of extra clothes because she has worn at least two different outfits each day.

 

Looks like a massive game of tag of some sort was going on.  Her face is red so know she played and just needed a breather (I actually saw a picture of her leaving the game with one of the counselors...little hot box was overheating I imagine).

Her counselors said when we dropped her off that their group was going paddleboating and canoeing that afternoon.  She is in the water (polka dot bathing suit)

This is her group (below).  Pretty sure she is now in the yellow life jacket closest to the canoe.

Chapel time.  That is the camp director, Jon, leading the group.  Camden is in the middle of the crowd in a neon green tank (near the counselor in the red shirt/black backpack straps).

 

All pictures lead me to conclude that there is tons going on and she is actively involved.  Hope the storms hold off today and/or just make for some fun adventures.

TMNT Cookies

The apartment is in order (somewhat) and we had an evening and dinner at home, so we decided to break out the cookies that Camden "convinced" Gramma Pat to buy.  They certainly are adorable, easy, and actually acceptable to eat.

I got everything set up and Camden did the work of separating and putting them on the pan.

I need to have her do more of the baking so she can start learning some basics beyond toast and ready-to-bake cookies.  Can't wait until she is home from camp....I kinda miss her a little.