Christmas in July

They came up for youth dressed like this. They bought gifts for the youth gift exchange when we were in Kenai. 

Stacia made Christmas crack today. 

It must be Christmas in July. 

Stacia has two or three more weeks in the youth group. The 3rd week is her 18th birthday. The day after her birthday is college orientation. Times are changing. 

 Allie continues on in the group as one of the youth leaders. She's been doing this for a year and really enjoying it. 

Cousin Playdate

 I have done more laundry than a human should be ALLOWED to do in one day. We had all our camping laundry, GG's laundry (which I usually do a load daily) and then there is bedding etc. I began laundry EARLY and kept it going all day. I'm not sure I'm making a dent in the pile. LOL 

I thought I could set both girls down with their laptops and we could knock out two FAFSA applications in no time. It was not to be. Allie couldn't get the site to do a thing for her. Stacia needed to go pick up a new phone as it wouldn't take any of our phone numbers for her - because we've done that before with other IDs. I couldn't remember the name of my youngest child when I first set up the FAFSA ID those decades ago. ::snort::  We'll work on it again tomorrow. I've collected all the info and we should all now have current ID's. 

Did you know this is SHARK WEEK? It is. Bre is great about pulling together themes and parties. Today her kids and Arielle and the boys came over for a bit of cousin time in the yard. We painted sharks, did shark tattoos...had shark treats (and goldfish because you know...at least it's fishy) and there was shark goodie bags. We also just played. 

Hello, Trudy. 

Annie

Jojo - Josiah 

I saw a meme that said, "Remind her she's survived enough storms she doesn't have to worry about a few raindrops."  When the kids showed me my tat options, I took a wave and some bubbles and tried to recreate the thought on my wrist. I like it. It will be gone tomorrow. LOL 

I weeded in the greenhouse. I let the weeds grow up with the plant until I could see which green was good and which was a noxious weed. 

The girls are off to youth group. Michael is at the church for a couple of hours - working to edit and upload services we've missed. 

I hear there are chickens in our neighborhood that are being killed...and a bear has been in coops. I'm not happy about this at all. I do like when the bears go back up the mountain for the winter. 

I'll end this post with a photo of Noah on his way to his 6 months well baby check. 

Random Thoughts & Memories from Fish Camp 23

Before I move on from Fish Camp 23 I spent the morning doing a bit of journaling. Our adult children bless us lavishly. We are so thankful to be near them and able to do a bit of life with them.  Here are some random thoughts and memories which didn't make it into the blog posts from camp...either because I didn't have a photo or was too tired to keep documenting. LOL 

Pranking papa. 

• Benny informed me, "Papa is a pro human." As we talked, he went on to say, "He knows pretty much everything or lots of things. He's not Jesus, but he's a lot like Jesus." What sweet words. I'm pretty impressed by Michael's designation as a pro human and one who is a "lot like Jesus." 
  
  
• Our kids bless us lavishly. The girls each took turns cooking the communal dinner. They made sure we had the number of fish we wanted. They pack trailers and mow lawns, watch GG at home...we are blessed beyond our imagining. 
  
  
• If one talks with everyone on the beach, one may end with a picture in the ADN. 
  
  
  
• One morning Michael came out of the back bedroom with my "Let your Light Shine" shirt tucked into his jeans. It was an unforgettable moment of levity. I pointed out he was wearing my shirt. He said this shirt was where he left his clothes the night before. I told him I was SURE it was my shirt. He took a look and promptly agreed. LOL 
  
  
• Evidently some feel twerking at 2 a.m. doesn't violate a 10 - 7 Quiet Hour campground rule, but children laughing in a site at 7:30 a.m. is a horrible offense. Grow up.  And you're far too old to be twerking. Same thoughts with drunk singing and load 80's music at 2:00 a.m. Pretty much I don't want to hear anything at 2 a.m. LOL 
  
  
• Heard from the tent - Charles - "Say Good Morning!" as the sun comes up at 3 a.m. Cory, "No, Charles, Say good night."  ::snort:: 
  
  
• "Good MORNING BeNNy!" "Good MORNING DaNNy!" Charles has the happy morning greeting down. LOL 
  
  
• Danny's protection of my phone is priceless....every phone with a red case must be snatched while calling, "BaCHANS's phone" and given to Bachan. 
  
  
• Beware of a group of 20's who rent an extra site for games...make note to suggest a number for after hour calls be posted...or a camp host easily accessible for calls if an in-person suggestion doesn't alleviate the levity. 
  
  
• Next year we should try REALLY HARD to make it to Nikiski Pool - on a day other than Monday. This summer open swim began at noon.  We can get 2 pieces of pizza for $5 at Charlie's Angel pizza. 
  
  
• Dip Netting is a lot of work. I love how we have settled into a tradition which focus' on not only salmon but strengthening connections and having fun together. I love the friends who have joined us through the years...Willy, various friends of the kids, Danny and Krista...

  

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