First Chance Camp at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp

Last year Bay was able to attend Day Camp at Oil Belt prior to our moving. He really enjoyed it and went back this year for First Chance Camp. This is where all of the 4th graders have the opportunity to attend camp for a shortened week. I was lucky enough to be the Camp Nurse this week as well. That is how I have all of these photos. After all, it is camp and parents don't stay at camp with the kids. We had 67 girls and 63 boys for a grand total of 130 campers. I thought we were pretty successful since we only had 5 go home. While at camp we had 8 baptisms and 1 to be baptized in their home church. Camp Nurse was an exhausting job, but so fulfilling to watch the children as they learned about Christ and what it means to live a christian life. What a blessing to have been there that week.

Bay with his long time friend Grant Wolfe.

Our fearless leader of Red Brush Christian Church, Dusty Elmore, takin' out the kids at dodge ball. By the way, Joe loves this General Lee shirt...yeah, Joe has it too.

All the campers were playing in the activities, but if you look in the background the building with the pattern on it is actually all of the campers hand prints from last year. Bay's is there somewhere, but he couldn't remember so there is no photo with him by his hand print. Maybe we will find it next year.

Chill'n out in the shade during canteen.

Bay with one of his camp buddies from Effingham.

River Heritage Park Fountain at the Marriot

A wonderful new water pad/fountain was build behind the gorgeous Marriot in Florence. It is near the Tennessee River where the Wilson Dam is located. This is a great place to take the boys on hot days. Since we don't have a pool yet, this serves as an easy way for them to get wet and cool off. They really have tons of fun here. There is also a play ground area nearby. At night the fountain is illuminated by colored lights and the spray pattern is set to music. It is quite pretty.

Jackson eagerly awaits the fountain to "dance" and spray him right in the face. Yeah!

Bay just got what he asked for...."Soaked"...as he would say.
Here Jackson running back into the fountain after a quick break.

Grandpa George and his girls

I meant to get this after the Mother's day photos because this was taken that weekend, but I slipped and got it out of order. The wonderful man in the middle of these two beauties is my Dad. On the left is Vayda and the right is Ava. I just thought this was a cute photo that needed to go in.

Bay and Evan at Talladega, AL-Nascar Race Qualifier

Bay had an invitation to travel to Talladega, AL with his friend Evan and watch the qualifying races for Sunday's big race. Evan's dad helped coach the Beaver's ball team with Joe and we've come to know them through Bay. Evan is such a cool kid and has awesome, genuine parents whom we trust so the answer was "yes you may go...just remember manners, safety and safety". I want my boys to experience life and all it has to offer, but it sure makes me nervous. I knew he was in very capable hands with Evan's parents Ashley and Connie so I relaxed and tried to enjoy myself in Nashville.

Bay and Evan at the race track.

Bay came home all pumped about getting to see the cars up close and the little car souvenir he had purchased and brought home as a "memory", as he calls it.

This isn't a photo of the wreck, but the boys were full of stories about the cars that wiped out right in front of them. Bay did mention it was very loud.

Music City Marathon Nashville, TN 2008

Joe ran in the Music City Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee in April. He enjoys the races where there is music being played while the runners make their way to the finish. At this one there was several free concerts the evening following the race. From mile 1 to mile 2 it was CMT Country Music Mile with entertainment on the stage to really get the runners pumped up. I really like Nashville! Jackson and I had to walk through downtown and over to LP Field to meet Joe at the finish line. It has a certain culture that reminds me of St.Louis so, of course I like it. I look forward to returning when we have time to check out the sites and sounds of the "Country Music Capitol". I foresee many, many photos to be taken.

The view of downtown Nashville from LP Field where the Tennessee Titans play. The building on the far right with the two structures on either end, we affectionately call that the "batman building". It's just one of those things that helps to let the boys know where we are on our way to Illinois.

Here Joe just finished the race and has his insulated wrap to help him in his cool down phase. Yeah, he doesn't look real happy, but trust me he was happy to have finished the marathon.

Joe and Jackson outside of LP Field. Bay had went to Talladega with his friend, Evan, for the big Nascar race.
I thought this was too perfect to pass up. Just look behind Joe and see what the wall says...

Happy Mother's Day 2008

It was incredible that all of the grandgirls and daughters of the family were able to make it to the Hoosier Prairie Baptist Church Mother's Day banquet. Mom was really excited to have everyone there. This is the Mother's Day banquet that we pretty much never missed. My Grandma Cammon, Grandma Stella to the little ones, attended this church for many years and we always went with her. It was a tradition to get her an orchid corsage, which she always loved. There was a little rain sprinkle and the air was so clean and peaceful outside of the church...God finds ways to show us his love and comfort us when he knows we miss the ones we love. In the peace of the moment she was there. Both my Granda Boose and Grandma Cammon have passed away, so I look at my photos and think of my treasured memories with each of them. I have many attributes to thank them for, grace and strength being two...another two gifts, of course my parents. What a blessing to have such wonderful women in my life.

Back row: Katie holding Maya, Mom-Debra, Tiffany(my sister), Holly holding Ella and Julie

Front row: Ava-Holly's daughter, Vayda-Tiffany's little girl and Sydney-Holly and Ryan's oldest

What a great photo of beautiful Maya and her gorgeous mom Katie. How cute is she all decked out in her tropical dress with bow to match?!

Ok, this shot is a little blurry, but I think a couple of little one's were running around the photographers legs. Considering that she did a good job. Above is my sister Tiffany, my mom Debra and of course me, Julie.

The end of the Beavers Baseball Season

Well the end of the baseball season was quite exciting. We had a tournament within the league and believe it or not our boys made it to the championship game. Never would have called that! They pulled it together and played really well. Even though we didn't win the championship, our boys played hard until the end. We are so proud of you!

Above the boys are getting the pre-game pep talk from the coaches. You may notice Joe off to the left in the photo.
Bay usually played center field, but had the opportunity to pitch and play first base. He is so calm and relaxed when he pitches...much calmer than I am. He threw lots of strikes and did incredibly well for his first pitching in a game situation. The last game he had the chance to play first base. Again, I was more nervous than he was...thank goodness. He made a couple of excellent plays and really helped the team out. Bay was so excited to get the game ball that night. He is very proud of his hard earned prize.