Brothers

Summer Fun

Here are some pictures from our first trip this summer to our favorite "splash park". It is perfect for both boys this year and I am sure we will be back many times to try and beat this summer heat.

Lets Go Raptors!!!!

If you know me, you know that this has been a day I have been looking forward to for a long time. After 2 very organized and very productive practices (c'mon, these are 3 and 4 year olds we are talking about), the Raptors played their first game today. Dressed in his oversized shirt, new white baseball pants and socks that stretched the length of his legs, Griffin took the field on the pitchers mound (or pictures mound as he calls it) for his First T-Ball game. I could not have been a more proud dad!


~Dad

Summit Groups, the First Year

At our church, the High school kids are divided into groups by class, called Summit Groups. These groups meet every Wednesday night at a home near the church. 2 couples are chosen to be the leaders and to stay with this group through their 4 years of high school. Last summer we were asked if we would pair up with another couple and lead the incoming Freshmen group. Since we live right behind the church, this made it perfect for us to meet at our house on Wednesday nights. We were excited to take on this challenge. As it go closer to the fall, the other couple that was to be with us were unable to commit anymore, so we asked our good friends, the Drennons, if they would be interested in joining us. I honestly thought this was a long shot, since they were already committed in so many other places. But they surprised us and agreed to be our partners.

We started in the fall when school started and for most of the first semester, our numbers were small and pretty much had the same kids every time. Those that we did have, though, were solid. After Christmas, our numbers began to grown and the kids became more involved. Throughout the year we had several get-togethers, including a game night at the Drennons, a kickball challenge vs the sophomore class (which we won!), a service project/game night with the VCA residents, and an end-of-the-year swimming party at the Vandygriffs. We also went to several sporting events, a band concert, and a choir concert to watch our talented kids do what they do best. We have a talented and unique group of kids and we are really enjoying getting to know them and we look forward to the next few years as we can all grow closer to each other and to our Lord.

Here are some pictures of our year...oh and of course I couldn't resist throwing in some of our kids as well

Morgan and Gabby at the swimming party

Cute Lleyton

Sweet Tucker

Griffin and Kennedy- the best of friends!

Our family

My sweet boys

Matther, Jackson and Ben

The girls

Our group at VCA

Playing Ninja-their favorite pasttime

Game night at VCA

We tagutht he residents how to play their new Wii

Playing Beatles Rock Band at the Drennons

Game night at the Drennons

Family Retreat

Every year our church has a family retreat at the HEB camp in Leakey the last weekend in April (I know, this post is WAY behind). I had to coach at our district track meet, so Nathan took the boys by himself on Friday. I joined them on Saturday afternoon and they looked to have had a good time. The campsite is so pretty and the weather was great. The boys played in the sand, went hiking, played in the water, and rode in the canoes. On Saturday night Griffin performed in the talent show, singing "When we all get to Heaven" with the help of Carter and Abbie Boyd. It was precious. The boys were so good the first night, that Nathan kept both of them in his bunk on Saturday night as well (lucky me!)

Here are some of the pictures of the weekend. I am working on the video of Griffin singing.

Camp Agape

Wow! I am so far behind! This past month has been busy, mostly planning for Camp Agape, which was last week. I am going to do my best to catch up on my posts over the next few days, mostly for my own records, but in case there are a few of you out there still interested :).

Let's start with Camp. This year our theme for Camp Agape was No Matter What. We learned about one of my favorite Bible characters, Joseph. This year's camp was set in a 70's background with lots of color, music, and games. We attempted a field trip to the roller skating rink this year, a first for us. All went well...except when I tried to take the school bus under our church awning. I'll let you figure out what happened. All-in-all the week went well. The campers always have fun and our counselors and junior counselors were wonderful as always.

This was my 6th year to co-direct this camp with Caitlin and it has been a great experience overall of me. I have enjoyed working with Caitlin and seeing our ideas go from just crazy thoughts to actual events that the campers do. I am not sure what role I will be playing in camp in future years but I know I will be involved in some way- it is too special to me and now to my kids.

Pictures to come soon.