Indiana Trip, part 3

We finally make it to Indiana! Going to the farm every summer is one of our favorite vacations, and we all look forward to this trip each year! There is LOTS of family there, so it's fun to catch up with everyone that we don't get to see very often. The weekend consists of visiting, eating lots of great food, playing in the barn where the cool hay loft is, playing with the baby goats, wading in the river, swimming at Aunt Wilma's swimming hole and swinging on the big rope to get in, roasting hot dogs on a huge fire, games, hayrides, smores, helping Uncle Danny do his morning chores (you've never seen a bunch of kids so excited to wake up at 6am in the summer!)... and the list goes on! See why we can't wait to go?

Indiana Trip, part 2!

Next stop for us was in Louisville, KY to visit my cousin, David, and his sweet family! I don't get to see them much at all, and have never met his boys, so this was definitely a treat! We just spent time hanging out, visiting, and swimming at their amazing pool with Henry and Hamilton... SO cute!!

Indiana trip!

This year on our way to the farm in Indiana we made some stops along the way. Our first stop was in Mammoth Cave, KY where we took an amazing cave tour! It was a first for Mitchell and Amelia and they thought that it was really cool and not what they had expected! Definitely a side trip worth taking if you are ever passing near there!

July 4th!

July 4th was a great relaxing day for us... going to the pool, grilling out with family, seeing a beautiful sunset right outside our front door, and of course, sparklers!! I loved our lazy day!!

Summer Camp!

This summer was full of summer camps for our whole family! Amelia went with Oconee Co. 5th graders to 4H Camp at Rock Eagle and had a blast! She loved it so much she can't wait for next year! Mitchell attended two camps this summer... the first one being Clemson University's tennis camp. He said that it was hard work, but they also had a lot of fun! We were thrilled that Mitchell got to spend more time at Clemson other than a football weekend... he really got more of a feel of a college campus! The second camp Mitchell attended was Passport Youth Camp with our church. He also had a great time there and it was a good bonding time for our youth who went! After all of our camps, we were glad to be back together for the rest of the summer!

Amelia's Birthday Celebration With Friends!

Amelia invited three friends to go to Stone Mountain Park for the day for her birthday... what fun they had! One of their favorite things was doing the Sky Hike... we also took in the 4D movie, went to the top of Stone Mtn. then hiked down, then had a relaxing picnic on the lawn before the laser show started! Since it was so late when we got done, the girls all slept over at our house... a very fun and full day!! Happy Birthday, Amelia!

Happy Birthday, Amelia!

Amelia's first birthday celebration was with family at home... and of course, Isabella was there (she is practically part of the family!)! We had dinner, red velvet cake, and Amelia got to open presents! Happy 11th!!

Camp Sunshine, part 2

There is a quote that the counselors at CS say to each other throughout the week (in a joking way)... "It's not YOUR journey!". Although this is mostly true, we all really know better... I mean, just look at these pictures! We get to act like a bunch of kids! Working at Camp Sunshine is definitely 100% about the children there, but the counselors are the other reason we return summer after summer. We have formed the most awesome friendships with many people over the years... friendships we would not have had a chance to make had it not been for CS. And this year, something like a third of our staff was former campers.... that is so amazing and wonderful! I cannot describe the joy I feel when I get to work side by side with counselors who I once took care of when they were very sick with cancer... pure reward!!

Camp Sunshine!!

Who would have ever guessed that nestled in the middle of nowhere, in the country, off of Keencheefoonee Rd... I would find one of my happiest places on earth? Camp Twin Lakes is the amazing facility that hosts a variety of special medical camps all summer (with an awesome staff, I might add!)... Camp Sunshine is where Dave and I find true joy, rewards, and happiness for one week each summer. This year marked my 18th and Dave's 16th summer with these amazing children with cancer. We get to love these kids for a whole week, thanks to the generosity of their parents who allow them to be in our complete care. There is chemo given, multiple other medications, IV's hooked up in cabins at night, blood transfusions... ALL done throughout this very normal camp!! We lead them through the day's activities, but THEY teach US the lessons!