Thursday, August 24, 2017

FAMILY CAMP AT WINDSONG

When the grands were younger--before they all started to fly from their nests--we had "Family Camp" every summer. Because their daddies both were firefighters, on different departments and on different shifts, it took a hunk of time just to figure out a stretch of days that would work. 

The families would come for lunch one day, stay the night and all the next day. It was a short time, but crammed full every minute. 


One or two days before their arrival, grandma and grandpa would haul stock tanks to the side yard, so they'd be in full sun, and fill them. We kept the tanks especially for this activity, so they were clean--at least to start with. As the kids got bigger, we added a second tank.

Each family was responsible for at least one meal.
 Rob and Tami had a BIG skillet.


Silver Dollar City has nothing on us!  This meal consisted of brauts, ham, bacon, chicken, potatoes, onions and vegetables galore!!


Lots of Dad and Boys time--and a good laugh at Dad's white legs and black socks!!  The granddaughters would now be humiliated, but they hardly noticed when they were young!!


We always had a pinata to end the camp!


Grands in birth order!!
RACHEL
Kip and Becky's oldest
Working in an orthopedic clinic and on her own!!


LEAH
Kip and Becky's second
Headed to Montana in less than a week to fulfill her dream!!



KIRSTEN
Rob and Tami's oldest
Now a sophomore in college in the nursing program


SETH
Rob and Tami's second
 Senior at Hesston High School


AMY
Kip and Becky's youngest
Junior in Council Grove High School


DREW
Rob and Tami's youngest
Freshman in Hesston High School 


GOTTA HAVE S'MORES


ALWAYS HARD TO SAY GOODBYE!


These pics don't even begin to show the activity--like the annual water fight with fire extinguishers (three firefighters could use nothing less); kids on hay bales; footprints in cement garden stones; balloon release; hayrack rides; homemade ice cream; hours and hours of just playing, visiting, and loving on one another.  

Redeem the time!

It goes by SO fast!






4 comments:

  1. Awww...how sweet! When I think of moving to Missouri, I dream of a place where this could take place for our family. Wonderful post, Julane...as always! I loved the pictures and seeing the grands in their younger years.

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    1. Thank you, Deb. Those were such fun years, and went by all to quickly. We started when Amy was just a toddler, and Drew a baby. I remember holding Drew so I wouldn't get drenched by the fire extinguishers. They were brutal! But the kids loved seeing their grandpa and dads chasing each other, and each one of the grands was armed with a water pistol--which kept getting larger as the years went on!!

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  2. Julane, you are so full of fun ideas!!

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  3. It takes everyone working together no matter how many ideas I have! I think they hate to hear me say. "I have an idea!"

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