Boys Camp 2021 - Switzerland

A few days after we got back home to Germany, Trek & Bladen set out on a week long adventure to Switzerland with the boys ages 12-18 from our church.  This was Bladen's first year of "boys camp" & it was absolutely incredible for him.  Trek had a blast too being with him.

Switzerland is pretty much a living postcard.  No matter where you go, it's gorgeous 24/7.  It almost feels NOT real.

The first day they were there, they did some white water rafting adventures.  Bladen has never been in a raft before & he loved every minute of it.  They paddled about 25 miles down the river.

The 2nd day, Trek took the older kids (14-18) on a Via Ferrata to the peak of the alps.  A Via Ferrata is a hike where you are attached to the rock face with cables & you literally walk across nails nailed into the cliff to climb to the peak.  If you're scared of heights it's terrifying.  It's safe as long as you keep you cables connected to the line, but it's on you to make sure you're connected at all times.  It taught the boys courage, perseverance, faith, & they LOVED it!

Trek is terrified of heights so it was really hard for him to complete, but he did it & he was SO proud of himself for doing it.

The boys also enjoyed a few ropes courses where they did trust falls, obstacle courses, & races together.

And they also did a 22 mile hike to a melted iceburg at the top of the mountain.  It formed a small lake that was clear as glass.  It was a HARD hike, but they all did it together & enjoyed being together.

It was an amazing experience for them both.  I'm SO glad they got to do it together.

Taya & Lorien went to "Girls Camp" the week after Boys Camp, but of course they didn't take a single picture the entire time they were there so I have NO visuals of what they did.  Stinkers.  But I'm actually really proud of them for putting down their phones & "disconnecting" for the week to be with other girls their age.  They had a blast too.  

They camped in little red cabins in central Germany.  They did hikes, crafts, projects, & ate a ton of great food.  They were very glad they were able to still do camp even with all the COVID issues still happening right now.

Next year it sounds like boys camp & girls camp will be at the same campground in Garmisch, Germany so I think my girls are excited to do some rafting, climbing, & ropes courses like the boys did this year.  My kids always look forward to camp!

 

Sorensen Family Photos 2021

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love these family photos.  They are my favorite ever.  Cari's friend who took them is magical & truly knows how to take beautiful pictures.

My mother hasn't been in a picture in years.  Her health battle over the last 9 years has stopped her from being able to live a normal life & this was the first time in what feels like forever that I have seen both my mom & my dad smile, my mom leave the house, & just to see them happy & enjoying themselves.  These pictures are a blessing to me because THIS is how I want to always remember my family.  They bring me great joy.

 

Potter Family Photos 2021

We finally got our family pictures back from the photographer from the Potter Family reunion.  It was SO nice being with the family for those first four days in August.  We had so much fun together.

 

August Happenings

As soon as we stepped foot back on German soil, Lorien was out the door & with her friends again.  The entire family got home from the airport tired, jetlagged, & wanting our beds, but not Lorien.  She hopped in her friend's car, drove an entire hour to barefoot park, & spend the entire day with all her friends playing in mud, water, & had a blast.

We had a lot of adventures in August that will get their own blog post, but one of the random things I've been doing this month is taking watercolor classes.  Here are 2 paintings I did this month.  They're nothing spectacular, but I'm really really proud of my progress & I absolutely LOVE painting.