Family Photo

Church Today

On a recommendation from a friend and mostly becuase of the fantastic weather this weekend, we decided to go camping one last time before rainy cool weather. We had family church next to the lake this morning. I won't lie. The kids were exhausted after staying awake in the tent way too late, Mommy and Daddy didn't sleep well which probably made our tempers a little shorter than usual, all three boys were struggling to listen and obey which meant that our intentions of having family church seemed out of the question.

Elijah had gotten in major trouble; I admittedly almost totally lost it with him. Micah was nearly asleep eating lunch, and Isaiah was crying over every little thing, but our window of opportunity surfaced during picnic lunch, and Eric seized the moment. He told the story of Jesus calling the fishermen to him (since we'd been fishing), teaching them to fish anew and giving them a new purpose in life, to be fishers of men. Eric asked the boys, "How can we become fishers of men?" The obvious answer came out first, "Tell people about Jesus." We said yes, but what else? Elijah said, "Show them." We asked, "How can we show people Jesus?" What followed was a great little conversation where each boy (maybe with the exception of a VERY tired Micah) thought of ways that they could SHOW the love of Jesus. We talked about showing love at school, at home, with our family and to others. When we talked about prayer requests, Elijah requested that we pray for a kid at his school that he says is a bully. I don't think it's any coincidence that after talking about showing love to people, the person Elijah requests to pray for is a bully. Kids get it! We didn't even talk about loving your enemies.

We all connected today- better than we have in weeks. Even though I was more angry at Elijah today for a few moments than I can remember being maybe ever... the reconciliation was sweet and because of it, our relationship is better. Before bed tonight, he hugged me tight. Really tight. It was a hug that said, "I know you were mad at me today. I'm sorry and I understand and I'm so glad that you forgive me and I'll do better." I hugged him back- tightly, and I know we are in a good place.

Anyway, Cave Run Lake is beautiful and the place we camped was great too.. secluded little campsites and helpful, kind staff members-highly recommend it. The place is called Zilpo Recreation Area in Daniel Boone National Forest.

Friends

Preheat the day to a perfect 78 degrees.

Combine 5 families for one evening

Add burgers, hashbrown casserole and fruit salad

Mix 7 happy children on a trampoline with

3 completely kissable babies.

Simmer in the sweet evening for 3 hours and add

the soft red rays of the setting sun.

Fold in layer upon layer of beautiful conversation late into the night,

Sprinkle stars on top and enjoy

the masterpiece

that is relationship.

Our Kenyan Friend

Father Paul had his last dinner with us Tuesday night. He brought some gifts from Kenya for all of us. His generosity and love for us has been a huge blessing. The skirt and beads I'm wearing were from him, Eric got a beaded belt and the boys all got keychains. Paul and his family are loving, generous people. We're glad to know him.

The Beauty of Woman

My husband gave me a gift yesterday- a day of spiritual retreat. It is a practice we've wanted to instill regularly for a long time. We'll take turns, him one month, me the next. So on my day (I only took a morning this month), I went to the Arboretum and spent some time listening and reading. I learned what a sycamore tree looks like, that sassafrass trees have random mitten shaped leaves, and I watched flowers literally turn their budded heads to face the warm sun from under the shade of a tree.

I really didn't know what to expect from this day, so I decided to expect nothing. In the car on the way out, I simply prayed, "Jesus, I just want to hang out with you today. What do you want to do? No agendas. No burning questions for you to answer for me. Just me and you, chillin with the trees and shrubs." He seemed fine with that.

So we walked for a while, around the paths, my Savior and I. I listened. I held my thoughts captive and wondered what my friend, my Lord might want to make of our time together.

I read some CS Lewis and ran across this section on beauty that blew me away. I can't do it justice, but I'll quote one short part. He writes:

"To desire the desiring of her own beauty is the vanity of Lillith, but to desire the enjoying of her own beauty is the obedience of Eve, and to both, it is in the lover that the beloved tastes her own delightfulness." Almost immediately an image of a calm, cool pool of water, completely still, surrounded by trees, came to mind along with the message, "This is you." This is the beauty that is me. It is Him in me- this calm stillness. This is His purpose for me. I am at my best when I am bringing peace. All of the hopes and dreams and joys of my life are connected to this still water in some way. I love to bring peace-

Peace to a college dorm full of girls struggling to find themselves

Peace to a Kenyan man far from home in the form of a meal

Peace to an insecure middle school child

Peace to a tired new mom or dad

Peace to my children after a long day at school

Peace to a missionary in Haiti who runs marathons to feed children

Peace to two little orphaned girls someday

Peace to friends and family who want a place to call home for a while

Peace to a Korean mom who wants to learn English

Peace to a new neighbor or to complete strangers.

I'm not flashy or wild. I'm not the surf crashing on a shore or a majestic Hawaiin waterfall. When I'm at my best, living into who I'm created to be, I'm that still pool that invites you to come, dip your toes, sit a while and feel the presence of my friend Jesus with me.

Brotherly Love

On Friday nights the boys look forward to switching beds. Its a tradition. They never forget. Last night Micah slept in the spare room, Elijah in Micah's bed and Isaiah in Elijah's bed. Isaiah was having a hard time staying in bed. After several warnings, I moved Isaiah back to his own bed. As I was leaving the room, Isaiah wimpering in the background, Elijah whispered to me, "Mommy, I'm really sad for Isaiah. I think I might cry." I said, "I know, I'm sad for him too, but he knew what would happen if he kept getting out of bed. He can try again next week." Elijah tearfully chokes out, "Next Friday is really kind of far away. Can I let Isaiah have my bed tomorrow night and I'll sleep in his?" Such a sympathetic little guy.

Preschool- Isaiah

Isaiah's first day was terrific as expected. He fell asleep on the bus on the way home. A friend from my school looked after my class so that I could come home and put the baby of the family on the bus with Eric. The highlights of school, according to Isaiah, are that he gets to eat pizza and chicken nuggets for lunch every day (2 days of school so far). He also loves the "Quiet Place" station in his classroom. It is a little tent with a sleeping bag and stuffed animals inside.

Gift

Me to Isaiah at bedtime tonight: "Good night sweet-pea."

Pause from Zay and a grin as he replies: "Good night mac and cheese."

He keeps a smile on our faces with his quick witty responses and reactions. I was reminded today from a sermon I listened to that every ounce of joy, grace, and love we experience is a gift. So, thank you Lord for the gift of Isaiah tonight.

He's holding up his favorite PJs in the picture- blue checked boxers.

Micah's First Day

No problem! Kindergarten is a walk in the park for this middle child. He shrugs it all off with ease. Even after 20 questions about what it was like, what he did, who he sat with, what he learned etc., almost every answer was something similar to, "Good. Just stuff." I haven't downloaded pictures yet so we'll post one with Isaiah's first day pics next week. Micah was excited to sit with our neighbor friend on his bus, and he didn't seem to have any bad experiences, so I guess that's a good first week.

Elijah's First Day

Elijah is officially a second grader. He had a great first day. He came home excited about compost, pumpkin seeds and Mr. Madill. We are all thanking the Lord for a science lesson on the first day (his favorite subject), a teacher that made him laugh, a friend (thanks Shawn) who sat with him on the bus, no homework, and no difficulties that we're aware of. Thank you friends and family for your prayers for him. He seemed calm and confident- miraculous indeed.

Micah's first day is tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.

My first day with students was today and it went well. I wish I could share details but alas confidentiality is an issue. I'll just share that I have 2 very easy classes, 1 moderately difficult class and 1 class that will require all of my patience and more toughness than I've been accustomed to showing over the past 2 years.

Off to day two tomorrow!

At the Heartbeat

I don't have any affiliation with this church, but Jeremiah posted this promo on his blog, and I had to respond. It makes my heart pitter pat. It brings a lump to my throat and makes me want to stand up and cheer, YES! They nailed it. This is at the heart of what I want in a church, in my church, in THE church. So many of us want this. Then the more rational me takes over. What are the implications? What sacred cows get tipped? Should we be concerned?

I want to say, Heck No! Go. do. be! But I do want to be prepared to avoid a pendulum swing that can, and often does swing off course in the opposite direction when momumental change takes place. And many people think we are on the cusp of monumental church change in our generation. So what prevents people (us) from being the church 7 days a week traditionally, and what does it look like when this "ideation" goes bad or good for that matter? I don't know. But its worth finding out.

Elijah's Prayer tonight

God thank you for daytime and dark

Thank you for old days and new days

Thank you for rainy days and sunny days

Thank you for birds that fly

Thank you for animals that I can pet

Thank you for stars and the moon

Thank you for my brothers

Thank you for the Bible

Amen.

A Prayer for Boys

My prayer for my boys today:

I thank my God every time I remember you, even when you're driving me crazy.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy (Lord help me) because of your partnership with the gospel from the first day until now. Your partnership with the gospel currently results from your connection to your family, but I pray that someday it will become your own.

I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. He will carry on the good work in you, not me.

I have you in my heart.

All of you share in God's grace with me. Thank you Lord!

And this is my prayer:

that your love may abound more and more

in knowledge and depth of insight,

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be

pure

and blameless for the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-

to the glory and praise of God.

On Stage

Our park has an unused loading dock next to the playground that the boys have claimed for a stage. Micah wanted to help be the "camera guy" instead of being in the band this time. Every rocker writes a song for his mom right?

Bike rides and play today

Elijah playing with John Wesley.
Feet in the fountain on campus.
Life size statue of John Wesley. Can you believe how short he was?
Relaxing by the fountain after our bike ride.

Rx for Mommy-crazies= Solitude

I read a little bit of Richard Foster's chapter on solitude the other day without any huge 'ah ha' moments. Then today, I was a little on edge for my own reasons, and it was my day to be home with the boys. Overall, we had a great day- played outside lots, didn't watch TV or play computer, no fights, no time-outs, but I was just grouchy most of the day. We were in the van on the way home from Lex and I finally had to say, "OK, Mommy will not be answering any more questions until we get home."

The previous 45 minutes had sounded something like:
E: "Mommy, when can I get my motorcycle driver's license."
Me: I don't know. When you're not living at home anymore.
E: But when am I allowed to...
I: (interrupting him) Um, Mommy?!? Where are we going?
E: Hey, Isaiah interrupted me.
Me: Yes, Isaiah, you interrupted. Elijah go ahead and finish.
E: Um, yeah so, I forget, but Mommy?...
Me: Yeah, ...
I: Mommy? Can we go to McDonalds
Me: No we're not going to McDonalds
E: Hey, Isaiah interrupted me again. You guys keep ignoring me.
M: Hey Mommy!
Me: Yes.
M: That was Toys R Us. Can we get a Nintendo DS?
Me: No
M: When can we get a DS? How much does it cost?
E: Mommy? How much money will you and Daddy give me to buy my first car?
Me: What?
I: Can I buy that car right there?
Me: (Silence- ignoring them)
I: (louder) Mommy! That red one right there beside us... look now... you're going to miss it... (crying now!!!) Mommy, you missed it. It was the car I really want!

So yeah, replay that for 45 mintues and I'd had enough. Our day continued much the same- we played on the trampoline, Eric got home, we ate dinner, and he took the boys outside to play for the last 45 mintues of the day. I did dishes and swept the floor... and I felt it- the beauty of solitude. The 45 minutes I spent cleaning the kitchen and sweeping the floor were my best moments all day. I prayed, hummed a tune, had a complete thought or two without interruption, I savored the laughter of children outside, I smelled dish soap, washed fresh garden veggies and marveled at the perfection of a red ripe tomato.

Foster writes, "These tiny snatches of time are often lost to us. What a pity! They can and should be redeemed. They are times for inner quiet, for reorienting our lives like a compass needle. They are little moments that help us to be genuinely present where we are." Capturing little moments of 'silence' helps us to be genuinely present. I can not imagine the crazy person I would be if these pockets of time didn't avail themselves regularly- with the help of Eric of course who knows better than anyone that without a few minutes to myself, you'll get nothing but sarcasm out of me. :)

Knock Knock Joke- Zay Zay

Knock Knock. from Erin Crisp on Vimeo.

Phoebe's Song

Phoebe's Song from Erin Crisp on Vimeo.

Elijah made up this song for Phoebe Saturday. She smiled and laughed and laughed the whole time he was singing to her. There were several more verses during the live performance.

School's not cool

We have made a new friend, Paul, from Kenya. He eats with us frequently and shares many stories of his country and home. He has already become such a blessing to our family- enlarging our hearts and opening our eyes to a world beyond our own trivial worries.

Last night he was sharing about school in Kenya. Students have to pay for uniforms, books and school fees to attend school. It is a great privilege to attend school. Children cry if they have to stay home from school for any reason and walk many miles sometimes to get an education.

I shared that overall, the perspective of US school children is disappointingly different. Most don't want to go to school. Teenagers work hard to skip school and many drop out as soon as they are old enough in favor of going their own way.

He was not surprised, just shook his head and said wisely, as he often seems to do, "They do not understand that 'I am because we are, and we are because I am. (from Desmund Tutu I think he said)'" He went on to explain that in Kenya, children know and understand that their entire existence is dependant on the "we" and the fate of the "we" is dependant on the responsibility (or lack thereof) of the individual. So if I am successful in school, I can help my whole family and whole community. If I squander my chances, I may indirectly or directly cause the death of my family members, friends and community because I become a burden to them, a mouth to feed that can not contribute as effectively as one who pursues his opportunities- whatever they may be- farming, education, etc.

So, short of exposing our children to the travesites of poverty and death, how do our children learn a sense of "we." How do they come to the important realization that their actions, even as young adolescents, will have far reaching effects for their children, their husbands and wives and even their grandchildren? From teaching this age for a few years, I would assert that they have little to NO understanding of cause and effect that transcends their own lives. Psychologists say this is a normal phase of their development- that adolescents are trapped in a "me" world that is healthy and normal until they move onto the next phase of their development. But is that entirely true? It may help us understand them but should we let them languish there? What can we do to broaden their perspectives? And in so doing broaden our own as adults.

I am because we are, and we are because I am.

Ahhh the digital age :)

Being a Teacher

"This is the fundamental message of the teacher:
You can change your life. Wherever you’ve been, whatever you’ve done, the teacher invites you to build on all that you are, and to begin again. There is always something more to do, more to learn and know, more to experience and accomplish. You must change your life, and if you will, you can change your world.

This sense of opportunity and renewal—for individuals, for whole communities and societies—is at the heart of all teaching; it constitutes the ineffable magic drawing us back to the classroom and into the school again and again. Education, no matter where or when it takes place, enables people to become more powerfully and self-consciously alive; it embraces as principle and overarching purpose the aspiration of people to become more fully human; it impels us toward further knowledge, enlightenment, and human community, toward liberation. Education, at its best, is an enterprise that helps human beings reach the full measure of their humanity."

-William Ayers

So how and when is education at its best? And is reaching the full measure of our humanity really the ultimate goal?

CSA

Community supported agriculture. We are enjoying farm fresh produce, organically grown, every week this growing season (20 weeks in KY). At the commencement of the season, we agree to purchase a share in the farm's crops, whether it be a good year or bad year for produce, we pay for our share. Together with 8 other Wilmore families, we take turns traveling to the farmer's market each week to pick up everyone's boxes of produce. We meet at one location in Wilmore to pick up our boxes and give empty boxes to the pick up person for the following week. It all works very nicely, and the best part is eating the fresh produce every week.

A few things we've all noticed:

1. Fresh vegetables, straight from the farm, taste better. Even Tom and Isaiah think so.

2. We eat more vegetables because we know we're getting more in a few days so we have to eat what we have to make room.

3. I get to try recipes using ingredients that I would not normally buy, so we all get to be a bit more adventurous. Some of our adventures? Kohlrabi, kale, rainbow carrots and beets (not pickled).

4. It feels good to help a local farm, knowing that our money is being used in wise ways and not being used to put a small local farm somewhere out of business.

5. Two families share our box each week and I've still had enough left over to freeze 3 small bags of kale and give away a gallon size bag of lettuce greens.

So, I'd highly recommend the experience. I found our CSA in a Green Living newsletter at our local library. Do some looking and you might find one in your neighborhood.

Sick Mamma and New Car

I haven't felt great for a few days now and it all came to a fevered pitch last night. Hives, chills, fever, then sweating, achy all over, not my preferred reason for being awake at 3am. So, I stayed home from work today and listened to Eric wrangle the boys all day. I took a nap or two, watched lots of TLC and Michael Jackson memorial coverage. Now, I'm feeling much better and think I'll try to return to life tomorrow. I've been fever free with no drugs for a few hours now, so I think everyone is safe.

In other news, a few weeks ago we bought the car in the above photo. Since my new teaching job will require a bit of a commute, we knew we'd need something for me to drive back and forth every day so Eric could keep the van for boy use. Lots of research later, we bought a used (08) Nissan Versa. Welcome to the family little car. :)

Jumping in the Rain

After a whole day of inside play, the last hour of the day before bed last night they couldn't stand it any longer. First they rode bikes in the rain, then they ended up on the trampoline in the rain, slipping and sliding instead of jumping. Isaiah was completely giddy. He kept yelling, "Mommy! We're jumping in the rain!"

Waiting for the Parade

Wow has waiting become a lot easier for these active guys. We played 20 questions with animals, taking turns picking an animal for half an hour before the parade started.

Micah Sings and the 4th

Micah has recently rediscovered the CD player and kids praise and worship CDs. Yesterday and today he has been singing at the top of his voice along with the CD player. We love it! Ironic that we own 3 MP3 players and for one reason or another none of them works right now, but the old portable CD player of mine from high school is still going strong.

The Wilmore 4th of July parade was perfectly Wilmoresque as always. It will probably be our last Wilmore 4th. A little sad. The weather this week has been perfect- cool enough to leave the windows open, air conditioning off and to play outside for hours. I have 4th pictures that I'll post soon.

One of the things I love about Wilmore- after the parade, the whole town gathers into the sides of the streets and sidewalks, following the few cars at the tail of the parade and walking to the campground at the center of town. It's like something straight out of Mayberry where we wave to friends, saunter along beside cars, tractors and horses to the grounds where they sell hotdogs and drinks for a dollar or something like that.

We skipped out on the pavilion hotdogs this year, went home, had friends over and made our own. Good times in our bubble. We'll cherish it for one more year.

The weight of human life

"We can't accept that a plane is banned from Europe but still allowed to fly in Africa. It's the proof that our world isn't fair and that human beings don't weigh the same depending on which side of the Mediterranean they are," said Gilles Poux, mayor of the Paris suburb of La Courneuve, where Comorans gathered for prayers.

A plane crash in the Seychelles islands- Comoros- off the coast of Mozambique (kind of that area) claims many lives- no number yet since a survivor has been found and they're hoping for others. Many of the travelers were French citizens and the plane they boarded in Paris or Marseille was approved and safe. They then switched airplanes in an African country and boarded an airplace that did not have EU approval. This is the plane that crashed into the sea while landing and although officials say it was not due to mechanics, apparently the above mayor in Paris doesn't think this is true.

The values placed on human life reach far beyond race and ethnicity issues of North America. On virtually every corner of our planet we'll find the existance of unfair practices involving particular people groups. Obviously this is not the way we were intended to live with each other. Obviously God values each of these lives equally. We are all his children and He desires good things for all of us. It is difficult to even imagine a world where all lives weigh the same in the eyes of man. Just one more reason to anicipate the Kingdom that is "not yet."

Elijah was playing with Shawn- a very nice neighbor boy, about 9- on the trampoline today. I overheard their conversation. I'm not sure how it started, but here's where I picked up.
Elijah: Forest fires are weather.
Shawn: Forest fires are not weather. Rain, wind, snow, things that come from the sky are weather. Fires come from people.
Elijah: It can come from lightening and lightening comes from the sky.
Shawn: But that doesn't make it weather. Weather is different than a forest fire.
Elijah: If a forest fire comes from lightening and then the wind blows it and makes it spread, then it has to be weather. It didn't come from anywhere else. And fire can give new plants room to grow.
Shawn: You don't know.
Elijah: You don't know either. ...pause... Hey, you want to play that wrestling game?
Shawn: Sure.

No question. Elijah loves his science. So anyone know? Do forest fires count as weather? Some how I doubt it, but I thought he had a good argument.

First Day for the new ATS pres.

New fiscal year at ATS. New school president started today.

Dr. Tim Tennent and his wife Julie become the 8th family of leadership for Asbury Theological Seminary. We are excited, encouraged and anticipating the future of ATS under Dr. Tennent's leadership. In his sermon this morning, he spoke on the parable of the sower- the one where the man sows his seed all over the place. Some grows, some doesn't for various different reasons. We tend to focus on the soils- which kind of soil am I? etc. We forget that the parable's focus is the sower. God is the sower and he sows extravagantly- almost wastefully from our perspective of efficiency. God's grace and love is extravagant and from our evaluation, probably even wasteful. Dr. Tennent states, "We (ATS) want to be known as a place of extravagant sowing. Thanks be to God, the extravagant sower."

Good Word Dr. Tennent.

Quote of the Day

Eric: "How do stay at home mom's keep their minds from turning to mush?"

Bring Hope in Suffering

(picture has nothing to do with the quote... just a cute pic of our tent loving boys)

Where there is pain

Let there be grace

Where there is suffering

Bring serenity

For those afraid

Help them be brave

Where there is misery

Bring expectancy

And surely we can change

Surely we can change, Something

David Crowder

Working on the fall reader has had me thinking a lot about the pain and suffering others experience and how I isolate myself from even empathizing with them 99% of the time. I want to change that somehow. Still praying about what it looks like completely, but I've got some thoughts in mind. More to come. Also, I'm going to try and post something every day for a while. We'll see how that goes. :) Praying tonight that I can learn not to fear suffering- in myself or in others.

Finally a new post

Coloring has become Isaiah's favorite activity lately. We've run out of space to display his work. Its contagious too. All 3 of them color for at least half an hour every day. That's post-trampoline sweaty head he has.

Zay and Lij are pretending to sleep with Micah at Josh and Rachel's house. Doesn't Micah look thrilled?

Our friend Dave is reading a comic book to the boys. Since he's sailed all over the place and they were reading about pirates, he could explain all kinds of cool things like what "keel hauling" is.

------------------------------------------------

OK, so I know its been forever, but we've been in transition so to speak- in lots of ways. Here are the hightlights.

- Eric and I went to Florida for a week alone (no kiddos) and had the best time renewing our friendship and realizing again all of the reasons we not only love each other, but we really like each other. That has nothing to do with the changes about to take place, but it was a much needed break after a nose-to-the-grindstone year. The boys had a great time with nana and papa too.

- I was hired for an 8th grade teaching position this fall at a middle school in Lexington. I've spent a week in training and I think I'm really going to like the school. It does mean leaving my spouse and family job which I have loved dearly, but my job change was necessary for the overall peace of our family in the coming year.

- All 3 boys are going to school this fall- something they're all excited and/or nervous about, but this change does allow my return to full-time work without too much remorse. My school schedule is very similar to theirs and Eric's, so we'll all get nice long breaks off together.

- We bought a little car so that I can commute to work and Eric will still have the van for the boys. His schedule works out so that we'll only need babysitting about 5 hours a week. He can be home with them before and after school most days.

So, that's where we're at. We entertained lots of other scenarios, but we're finally committed to this plan for the year. The summer has been great so far. Long days at home with the kids- swimming at the Y, playing on the trampoline, riding bikes, enjoying fresh veggies from the Community Supported Ag farm cooperative. It's been good. I should be able to post more often again now. More pictures coming soon too.

End of Semester Camping

Trying to start a fire again. It got rained out. Again.

Thanks for the tent Mom! We loved it!

We decided to go camping to celebrate the end of spring semester. We've had the spot reserved for a while at Natural Bridge State Park- beautiful! But unfortunately, it did rain most of the time we were there. Eric and I set up the tent in a pouring storm while the boys cheered for us from the back of the van- the back door open- Micah cheering "Seek Shelter!"

With the tent up, the rain stopped briefly enough to unload the van. The boys made beds and played in the tent while I made oatmeal and PB&J sandwiches for everyone for dinner- not the original plan but it worked. We tried for a fire that night, but everything was just too wet, so at 10:30 or so, we put the boys to bed.

Sleeping in? No. Normal 7:00-30 wake up time and the sun was out so we went for a hike after breakfast. The trail was right by our tent and it was short, so we hiked to a cave. Elijah was comfortable, confident and in his element. Micah chatted the whole time about everything he saw, where it came from, where it was going and why it was. Isaiah is more comfortable at a party with an audience than in the woods on a hike. He noticed every spider web and bug, and was quick to warn us all to steer clear.

The sun you see in the pictures was during one 3 hour window of time. The other 40 hours, it was either raining, wet or cold. Somehow though, the boys still had fun. They read comic books to each other, made up silly games and played outside. We played together as a family- games, stories, food cooked outside, and going to sleep together. Eric and I were patient with the kids, but definitely annoyed by the weather and lack of campfire. Elijah asked to roast marshmallows at least 54 times (which we finally were able to do) and no one had dry shoes by Sunday morning.

Ah the memories! Hopefully more sun next time.

Pictures