Campfire! Weekend

Where do I start in telling everyone about the fun weekend we had celebrating my parent's 45th wedding anniversary? We headed up Friday evening after picking up Anna from school and stopped on the way for supper. It was nice to arrive at the camp in the light to check out our surroundings and get our cabin set up. Each family had their own cabin that could sleep 16, so plenty of room for all the families. We were thoroughly impressed with the facilities as the last time Colin and I were there it was just a field ready to be developed. It is fully equipped to host family groups as it hosts large groups of children there all summer. It was so nice to have the whole place to ourselves! There was plenty of room for all 23 kids to play and the 13 adults to socialize. I had the honour of organizing the whole weekend and because of everyone's willingness to help out, the weekend went off without a glitch. We had every meal preplanned, with some food brought prepared and some prepared on the premises. We ate very well and had a big dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Dad and Mom's actual anniversary. After the dinner we had a small program with all the families/individuals contributing in some way. The highlight of the evening was a multimedia presentation that Brian and Tonya put together with photos from way back to current day. What fun it was to reminisce about the good old days! On Sunday we enjoyed a nice day of fellowship at Owen Sound Can. Ref. Church and returned to Campfire! late afternoon to clean up and say our "good byes". It was a very physically and emotionally draining weekend but we have all said that we won't forget this for the rest of our lives. My parents were completely overwhelmed as they didn't have to bring anything or lift a finger the whole weekend. They could just concentrate on enjoying their children and grandchildren and savouring all the special moments they enjoyed with us. We thank the LORD for allowing our family to do this together and for keeping us in His gracious care thus far.
(If I may put a bug in the ear of the M. family - this would be a great idea for a certain time at the end of August :) It would solve some accommodation issues and bring the whole family together. Would there be anything like this in Vernon? It's not everyday that everyone in the M. family can be all together.)

Now for the pictures:

The main building with dining hall, lounge area, games room, shower and washroom facilities, counselor bedrooms, administration office... Photo taken through the posts of the outdoor chapel.

Our family performing a song for Grandpa and Grandma, well actually only Anna doing most of the singing.

The outdoor chapel.

My nephew Greg and brother Bernard shivering as they both went in the swimming pond. Greg biked in full speed and Bernard jumped in after him. Crazy boys!

Bernard secretly threatening to shove Diane in the pond. All the adults were 'miffed' at her as she had taken them on a morning hike that got everyone's feet soaked except her own. All in good fun, they teased her for a long time after.

Our dinner Saturday night with everyone eagerly waiting for the family 'movie' to play on the screen.

The official cake cutting pose. Notice the nice lounge area with wood burning fireplace in the background. It was a cool and wet weekend so it was nice to cozy up to the fireplace to get warm (and dry :).

The whole family - the oldest grandchild being Greg (16 yrs.) and the youngest being Silas (6 mos.). Oh, and one on the way...Brian and Tonya will be D.V. adding to that number in the fall of this year.

The cabins. Ours was on the far right and named "Birch".

Inside the cabin getting our bunks set up.

The dining hall set up ready for breakfast.

Wayne looking very professional flipping pancakes in the restaurant quality kitchen they have.