Last Day at SDC

It rained on us overnight and dropped the temperatures down a little bit.  This weekend really was perfect weather for camping, though.  It was cool enough to enjoy a campfire and to snuggle down in our sleeping bags, but warm enough to enjoy being out during the day. 

We got to SDC early enough for the opening ceremonies.  Each morning veterans are honored, the flag is raised, the pledge is recited, and our national anthem is sung.  We also attended the little wilderness church for worship.  I love that SDC is Christian owned, as that attitude permeates everything through the park.  It is a wonderful, clean family place to enjoy.

Front seats for the tram ride into the park:

This sand sculptor was amazing!

A photo with the official dalmatian from Fire in the Hole:

Johanna (in blue) and Elijah joining in the opening ceremony fun:

There was even a bald eagle present for the opening ceremony (see her head just under the flag).  We saw her in the Birds of Prey show the day before.  It was a neat show with raptors flying right over our heads.  This eagle flew right over Elijah's, Johanna's, and Ami's heads.  It wasn't a foot above them!  At campfire last night Johanna said, "Honestly, I almost cried with joy when the eagle flew over my head!"   Ahh, my little patriot and animal lover!

Chris braved Powder Keg with Michaela and Benjamin.  It goes from 0 to 60 MPH in 2.9 seconds.  Yes, I rode it, too.  Fast for sure!

We are grateful for the privilege of a fun weekend like this with our family.  Memories made and time spent together is priceless!

More From SDC

I hardly took my camera out of the backpack all day today.  It was nice to just enjoy the day and not keep shooting.  The weather started out cool, but we shed our sweatshirts by lunch time.  We split our group several times throughout the day so that we could enjoy some different activities.  Chris is nursing some stitches on his back from the dermatologist, so I got to ride the big rides with the older kids a lot more.  Meanwhile, he did the cave and some of the smaller rides with the younger ones.

Michaela convinced Benjamin to go on the American Plunge with her, promising that he wouldn't get wet.  Can you say, "Sucker!"?

Back at camp we enjoyed having pizza delivered!  Thanks for the gift card E/K, that was a great idea.  We topped the pizza off with a campfire and some more s'mores.  :)

Family Weekend

This is the first fall in several years that we've been able to do a fall camping trip.  We don't have any one playing soccer this season.  Woo hoo!  :)

So, we're enjoying a weekend in Branson with lots of fun at SDC.  Today was beautiful, perfect weather.  The kids were anxious to get back to their favorite rides since we hadn't been down since May.  Here are a few pictures from our day.

The "festival" going on this time features old time craftsmanship.  This is a huge pile of sand!

Chris, Elijah, Michaela, and Benjamin on the front row of Wildfire.  Woooo!

Trapped!

One of Benjamin's latest obsessions has been squirrel trapping.  He built a few different models on his own, improving one after another.  Then he and Chris spent some time last weekend building a more heavy duty one.  It worked! 

The first victim we believe was actually a raccoon.  When Benjamin checked the trap one morning, the ground under the trap had been totally torn up.  There was a small hole that had been dug under one side, we believe so that the coon could get some leverage and then push the trap up .

This afternoon the trap sported the second victim, Mr. Squirrel.  He was frantically trying to get out and provided quite a show.  It's catch and release, so Benjamin soon sent him on his way back to freedom. 

One of the original traps in the foreground:

I am man.  See me hunt!

I don't have a good picture of the trap when it's set.  It's basically tilted up on one end.  A stick is placed inside with peanut butter or shortening on it, then when the stick gets bumped or moved, the trap falls.  

Babysitting

No, our kids sure aren't babies anymore, but what else do you call it?  Supervision?  Anyway, we are so blessed to have a responsible teen that will cover for Chris and I when we go on our weekly lunch dates, when we go on other dates, or if I need to run errands alone.  Michaela is awesome and we appreciate her willingness and maturity so much.  Thanks, Pumpkin!

We don't expect Michaela to entertain while we're away, but I came back to this the other day (you may click to enlarge the picture):

Apparently she is teaching algebra while we're away.  Ha!

Heritage Festival

We enjoy attending our local Heritage Festival each year.  It's fun to see some old-time arts and crafts.  There are such things as blacksmith demonstrations, weaving, coonskin caps, music, etc.  One of our favorites is fresh kettle corn!

Yes, that's our third "son", Scott, who has been with us about six weeks now.  Our guest room has been a busy place for the last three months solid!

We're glad the rain held off for just a bit this afternoon so that we could get out and enjoy the festival.....along with funnel cakes, chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick, fudge...... :)

First Bonfire of the Season

This week we've had some great fall-like weather and tonight seemed like a perfect night for a bonfire.  We had some nice family time hanging out around the fire.  Hotdogs, s'mores and hot chocolate were yummy! 

 Goofy girl!  She's pretty good at crossing her eyes....gives me shivers!

Benjamin's Turn

It was Benjamin's big day yesterday to get his braces on!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

What is that, you say?  You don't see any difference?  Neither do we!  That's because Benjamin got Invisalign.  :)  They are the coolest thing ever.  They are just clear "braces" that fit over the teeth like a retainer.  They cost the same as traditional braces, take less time overall, and you can eat without them and brush without them on like normal.  We can't even tell that they affect his speech at all.  Pretty amazing.  It's all computer generated and he gets new trays every two weeks (we don't have to go for visits that often, though).  Benjamin was pretty excited to get them and I'm sure he'll do great with them. 

Now if only poor Michaela could get the metal off her teeth, we would all be super happy for her!

Our China Doll

I have to post an Ami funny from the other day.  As temperatures have cooled down, I pulled out a bin of fall/winter clothes to dig through.  Ami loves trying on clothing and she even found a pair of winter snow boots that will be great for the snow days ahead.  With the boots on, she turned to me and asked, "Mommy, who made these?"

Without thinking much I said, "Oh, probably some factory worker in China."

In all seriousness she replied, "No, I didn't come with these."

Ami is very aware and mature in her understanding of her adoption, but it sure struck me as funny that she felt that she came to us with certain "accessories", snow boots not included. 

Oh, how we love this China Doll of ours.  She makes me smile every single day, makes my heart beat faster to hold and hug her, and finds me speechless to imagine our family without her.  Surely more questions and grappling with her background is yet to come, but this already confident, personality-filled, spunky little girl is sure to come through shining bright!

Mr. and Mrs. Clark!

I am much delayed in posting this wonderful news......

Yes, that would be my brother and his wife, Amy!  We are so happy for them.  They had a private ceremony in their city a couple of weeks ago and then headed out to honeymoon in a nice warm place.  We enjoyed getting to know Amy a bit while our family was all together this summer at Tahoe.  She sure was brave to come meet us all at once, so we're pretty sure that she loves Jeremy a lot to do that.  :) 

We're thrilled to have another aunt.  The morning that we heard the news, Chris told Benjamin that he now had an Aunt Amy.  He replied, "We already called her Aunt Amy!"  Yes, the kids love her too, and knowing that Jeremy and Amy were engaged this summer when we met, they just welcomed her right in as Aunt Amy. 

Congratulations Jeremy and Amy!  We love you both and can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

P.S.  We think their pick of a wedding date is pretty special as it's our referral date for Ami, the day five years ago that we received a phone call that little Long Li Dan was waiting for us in China.  A day to celebrate indeed!

Our Riders

This weekend Chris and Michaela rode in the MS150 again.  They have been training for the last four months to ride for a cure.  They each raised several hundred dollars for Multiple Sclerosis research.  We are very proud of their efforts!  Also, thank you to those that gave towards this great cause. 

Last year they took the shorter of three routes each day, which is 40 miles each day.  This year they opted for the middle route of 75 miles on the first day, then the shorter route on the second day.  They were both pretty tired yesterday, but were feeling better today after the easier ride.

 The welcoming gang!  There are always several volunteers at the finish line to welcome in the riders with bells, whistles, horns, clapping, and lots of whoops and hollers. 

 Chris and Michaela crossing the finish line after their first 75 miles.

 Yes, someone didn't quite get enough sunscreen on.  Ouch!

 Crossing the finish line on day two after a total of 115 miles!  Woo hoo!

The riders each get thank you medals for their efforts.  We're proud of you Chris and Michaela!