Camp Ozark!

So there is this place in the mountains of Arkansas called Camp Ozark. I went there, once upon a time, (1997 to be exact)

to work there, with my brothers, as a summer camp counselor.

I completely fell in love with the place.

I made the greatest friends,

did so many fun things,

hopefully was used to impact kids lives,

I even met my man there....

So, you can only imagine how excited I was that they were having a 60th Anniversary Reunion last weekend, and we got to go!! We loaded up the kids (along with the rest of the family - Mom & Dad, Jeff & Chandra, Bryan & Eraina, Preston & Katherine came too, (we really missed having Erik & Yuriko there!)), and we had the best time!

They have these very cool new bumper boats that both Larson & Secily were huge fans of

My Dad did the monster pamper pole....yes, that tiny yellow speck is him, standing on a pole 60 feet off the ground, about to jump to catch the bar.....

Larson had a private archery lesson with the one-and-only SuperDave (a highlight of Larson's weekend)

We played tribal comp...well, I didn't actually play, Ryan played tribal comp.

And, of course, what's a weekend at Camp Ozark without some time at the waterfront,

and...the blob!

I couldn't not believe it, but Preston got Larson to blob! I was so proud of him!

We had Western Night, where we did some calf roping...

pig chasing,

and dancing.

We also had Red, White and Blue Day, with a picnic, tug-of-war, egg toss, fireworks...

I wish I had taken more pictures.

It was such a fun weekend. If you ever want to send your kids to a summer camp, this is it. They will have the time of their lives, just like we did!

The Return of the Most Addicting Game on the Internet

Link

Baby's First Tweet

B. Lars packs up the suburban

The most impressive thing i've ever seen is Cirque du Soleil's
Mystere....this is second.

Western Night at the Camp Ozark Reunion

Sweet Jane

Jane turned 4 months old this week.


She is such a sweetie.


She is rolling over, cooing, smiling, and even laughing - mainly for her older brother & sister!


She even is a good sport about letting Secily play with her.....looks like she is ready for the ball.

I may need to break out another bridesmaid dress.

Stormtroopers

...on their day off

Link

Top Misquoted Movie Lines

NY Law

Nothing about texting or blogging.

Airport Urinals

Where do you put your new transformer toy when you've gotta go?
Luckily, the airport authorities have thought of everything.

Swimming Jedi

The teacher doesn't really talk that much. She just busts out the
Jedi mind trick and lightly touches her hand on their head when she
wants them to roll over and take a breath. At one point I think I
heard Secily say "These aren't the droids you're looking for."

Dawg eat Dog World

We also went to.....The North Pole!!

Just outside of Lake Placid NY, there is the North Pole NY- complete with a sweet little amusement park where all the workers dressed as elves, and Christmas music was pumped through the loud speakers. Glenn took the kids & I the day that everyone else went white water rafting. (BO-RING) (just kidding about the boring bit...someone needed to stay and watch the kids, and you know, feed Jane) We had a great day!
The rides were all preschool size so not only were there NO lines all day, but the kids could ride by themselves!
There was a Ferris Wheel: the kids are in the top car...

Christmas tree Ornament ride:

Secily on the ornament ride - again -I guess the no lines, unlimited riding can result in some time to do a little light reading....




Peppermint swings:

A rocket ride (or maybe it was a luge?):

Riding on the reindeer carousel

Cinderella does not ride the horses (or reindeer) to the ball, she rides in the carriage.
Voila.

Secily the Mouse & Grandpa Glenn the reindeer

They even had the 8 reindeer!! Larson with Blitzen:

Larson & Grandpa Glenn on the train

There was also a roller-coaster that Larson loved....we rode it 4 times in a row!
And, the official North Pole...a pole of ice!

Fresh and Frozen?

Lake Placid, NY

Ahhhh....this is what we woke up to for the past week. So peaceful.

We had a great week hanging out with the family.

Jane dotting the Ohio "i" in her Ohio State onsie that Alan & Francine gave to her!

Lesley, Linda, Jane & I at the High Falls Gorge:

Secily & I at the top of the ski jumps that were used in the 1980 Winter Olympics:

Elizabeth, Linda, Secily & I ready to receive our medals....

Jane:

Sparkler fun:

Larson & Secily are so lucky to have uncles & aunts who are so patient, and fun, and willing to play with them....the kids love being with them. The first morning that we were there, Larson woke up came into our room, saw that we were still in bed, and turned to leave. "Larson" I said, "where are you going?" "Upstairs" he replied, "to see my friends." Awh.

The whole reason that we vacationed in Lake Placid was to be there to cheer on Preston as he competed in the Ironman competition. The official cheering squad:

He completed the race (all 140.6 miles of it!). Nice job Preston!!

It was a great week !

Marble in the Mortar

Non Reving

Approved for Carry On