Adventure #1

Adventure #1!!! FAMILY CAMPING TRIP!

On the evening of March 5, as Gary and I were relaxing in our family room, the dogs started barking and we heard horns honking and lots of screaming and laughter. As we headed for the front door we could see 4 cars coming in the driveway with heads hanging out windows and arms waving wildly...it was our gang! They were all yelling "Happy Birthday" and "Hi Nene...Hi Grandpa!"....a surprise birthday party for my Honey and me! And that was the beginning of my 60 new adventures in my 60th year!

That evening we were told that plans and reservations had been made for a family camping trip in June, to the Hume Lake campground! The ENTIRE family was going...making it a first for our family of 21...12 adults and 9 grandchildren, ages 5 and younger!!! And on June 20, my 60th birthday, the camping adventure began!

For the first time...ever...our whole gang spent three days and three nights in the beautiful Sierras, swimming, playing, doing crafts, kayaking, eating, making s'mores around the campfire, eating ice cream cones, taking long hikes, playing games, wearing matching blue t-shirts, napping, snacking and just hanging out! It couldn't have been more perfect for Gary and me! There is NOTHING we love more than spending time with our five kids, their wonderful spouses, and our awesome nine grandchildren!

One of the best parts of our trip was opening my birthday cards and finding "60" things that my family appreciates about me, written on cute note cards. Of course, I cried...but I treasure every thought and I'm sure that I will read them many, many times in the coming months.

We so greatly appreciated the work that went into making this happen for us...taking time off from jobs, making arrangements for animals to be fed, hauling tons of 'equipment' for all of the kids, and the willingness to live outside the 'box' for a few days! This was a camping trip that we will NEVER forget and will ALWAYS be blessed by.

A HUGE thank you to our family...
Darrick, Amy, Mary (4 1/2 yrs.) and Rocco (2 1/2 yrs.)...
David, Amy, Micah (4 1/2 yrs.) and Claire (2 yrs.)...
Ross, Colleen, Spencie (2 1/2 yrs.), and Ryder (4 mths.)...
Andrew and Rebecca, Jake (5 1/2 yrs.), Allie (3 1/2 yrs.), and Sadie Rose (1 1/2 yrs.)...
Andrew and Anna...(no kids yet!)...

Dad and I love you all so much...God has blessed us beyond measure and turning 60, with all of you in our lives, is great!!!


Mealtimes were always an adventure with great food and lots of sticky fingers!


Kayaking was a huge hit with young and old...and the 'not-so-old'!


Auntie Amy suggested we take crafts for the kids and they loved them! Here we are making colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets...even Jake and Micah enjoyed making them for their mommies!


Here are the 'girls' by the boat ramp before ice cream one day.


Each day we would hike to the Hume Lake Christian Camp and visit their ice cream shop! The scoops were big and the ice cream delicious! Nene's treat!


I thought it would be fun to wear matching t-shirts one day! Everyone jumped on board, but a few of the shirts were a bit tight on the guys, so some good-natured teasing was heard through-out the day!



We always have to take a "crazy face" picture!


And "Happy Birthday" cupcakes were dessert after dinner the second night.