camp barton

I remember camping as a kid . . .setting up the sleeping tent, making sure the tarp was properly aligned so that we wouldn't be sleeping in water.  The dining tent was next and no matter how many times it had previously been put together it never was an easy task.  Certain containers held various camping equipment, whether for food, starting a fire, etc.  We had camping down to a science.  I remember a lot about setting up but the most important part was family time around the fire, throwing a baseball around, hiking through nature and just sharing a good laugh.

Similarities took place this place weekend.  Camp food - we decided to make a number of things over the fire - popcorn, hot dog crescents, smores, pie on a stick, pie iron pizzas and orange blueberry muffins.  Yes, that is a muffin made inside an orange . . . why not try it?

A hike to Frontenac Falls (AMAZING), kayaking to Taughannock State Park and up a stream.  But the little things added up more . .  watching the boys help take the kayaks down, chopping wood, being goofy and spending time together.

Then a walk down memory lane for Damian as we hiked around Camp Babcock Hovey (a scout camp where he went to camp and was a counselor).  And to top it off we saw white deer on the drive back.

 

skipping stones

 view from our cabin

 kayakers getting ready

suspension bridge to cross to get to the falls

 when rocks are wet, one can fall into the falls

 Frontenac Falls

 favorite past time - chopping wood

 Camp Babcock Hovey

scout camp

The long path through the trees back to the dining hall, the pool basking in the sun, flags being raised on the flag pole, scavenger hunts in the woods, crafts and leisure time.  As soon as I entered Camp Cutler (Scout camp) I felt like I was traveling back in time to when I went to Scout camp.

Over the weekend Ambrose and Damian went to Camp Cutler for Scout Camp.  I brought Blaise for a few hours on Saturday to get a 'taste' of what Scout camp is like for next year when he is a Tiger Cub.  

We tried fudge made in a bag, put mulch down for a service project in part of camp, went on a hike and my favorite part ARCHERY!  I may not have hit the bulls eye but it was fun to see the arrow go flying through the air and yes, I did hit the target.

The boys had a great time out in nature.  You know boys being boys.

And to finish the weekend we went bowling with our good friends the Parkers.

mothers day

The Lilac Festival at Highland Park was a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day.  We walked all over the park taking in sights and smells.  The fresh aroma of pine, the beauty of a single magnolia, festival food smell as we grabbed a bite to eat, the last lick of the ice cream dish, the coarse hair of a horse, the sweet smell of a freshly bloomed lilac (achoo says mommy) and the texture of grass on the face as the boys somersault down the hill.  

Amazing weather, wonderful company . . . the best gift on Mother's Day!

cousin time in michigan

The first weekend of May found us in Michigan with the Jorgensens' to celebrate Tobias's First Communion.  It reminded me of the maturity it takes to understand the miracle of the Eucharist and all the preparation that Ambrose did for his the previous year.  One minute the cousins are playing, laughing and running around together then dress them up and they look like little men (sometimes even act like it too, wink, wink).

At the party afterwards we relaxed into easy conversation with numerous friends that were there to support Tobias in this life-changing day.  What a wonderful way to spend a weekend!

While in Michigan, Greg took Damian and I around Detroit.  I learned that Detroit is the second largest city in land mass (first is Jacksonville).  Driving down streets you would see nice houses right next door to one like this:

Numerous buildings are abandoned, vandalized, graffiti'd and run down . . . 

The stadiums look amazing compared to other parts of the city.  Hopefully Detroit can emerge from bankruptcy and develop a plan to turn around the city.