Family Fun Day

The boys had no school last yesterday, so we took off late Thursday night for Orlando and Disney again. A trip to Ghiradelli's at Downtown Disney netted us a "cookie bits sundae" for a snack. 

We hit EPCOT on Friday morning and had fun bouncing around with some of our favorite rides. The boys were excited to ride Test Track again and spend time playing around afterwards in their design area. 

Parker, Wesley and I tried something new we've never done before in Inventions - the Sum of all Thrills which is a simulator where you design your own roller coaster track and then ride it. The video is Parker's first design that he and I rode together. The little guy hung out with Baba while we were busy and took a little snooze. 

Goofing around in the store with Olaf. 

We ate an early dinner at Garden Grill inside The Land pavilion, where characters Pluto, Chip, Dale and Mickey Mouse visit your table. The food here is always delicious and the boys love that the restaurant rotates and you can see parts of the Land boat ride while you eat. 

After dinner we headed for the Magic Kingdom. We got there with about 2 hours left in the park and rode Big Thunder Mountain, 7 Dwarfs Mine Train and Buzz Lightyear. With just 10 minutes to go before the park closed, Parker decided to try Space Mountain for the very first time, since he had ridden the roller coaster simulator earlier in the day and liked it. It was pretty much a walk-on ride at that time of night. Parker LOVED Space Mountain. He has officially been converted now into a roller coaster junkie. 

Camping with the Big Boys

Parker left the house at 6:30am on Saturday morning with the Burnettes to go on his first Boy Scout campout by himself. Remember this was only his second campout ever. It was an overnight hike campout in Palatka - from Rodman Dam down to Lake Delancy - about 8 miles. He was responsible for bringing all his own food and water in his backpack. He borrowed Daryl's old scout backpack for this trip. There was some concern when he left on Saturday morning because it was pouring down rain, however the rain was gone by the time they arrived at the dam to hike. 

He came home Sunday afternoon - dirty, tired and with sore feet. 

But this is the face of a kid who had a fabulous time while he was away!!!!

Good Grades

The boys got their report cards this past Friday. Happy to report that Wesley received all Es for Academics and even for PE. Parker received one "B" and the rest were "As". We are so glad to see that the boys continue to do so well academically at our neighborhood school. 

Clergy Kids and Family Retreat Weekend

The boys had a four-day weekend last week when it was time for Clergy Kids. We started out with a pre-trip to Disney, staying overnight at the Caribbean Beach Resort. We had dessert at Shutters before heading to our room. The boys love these rooms with the pull-down beds that sleep five and the theming here was super impressive. We were in the Jamaica section of the resort. 

        

Friday morning we ate breakfast at The Wave inside the Contemporary Resort. They had a really nice breakfast buffet - the family favorite was the grits with cheese and applewood bacon. It wasn't busy so we got out in good time and took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom. 

We did some tried and true favorites with Fastpass and tried a new thing - the Enchanted Tiki Room. 

We ended up standing in line for Mine Train and someone fell asleep. Daryl and I wish we could fall asleep in line and let the boys hold us. 

We left and met our friends the Holdens for dinner in Leesburg before checking into the retreat. After some fun and games and worship, we crashed out hard for the night. Saturday was lots of fun, with worship, kids small groups and bounce house time. 

Davis and Mary Elizabeth were best buddies all weekend.

Instead of a Scavenger Hunt we played a giant trivia game with physical challenges in the chapel. This one was "wrap a pastor up like a mummy in toilet paper." Parker was in group 4 and his group won! 

There was a talent show along with fun and games in the fellowship hall after dinner. Someone claimed the panda bear prop from the Photo Booth for himself. 

Saturday night worship including our friend James singing "The Clergy Kid Blues," laser lights during praise time and the graduating senior candlelight ceremony. 

Wesley's elementary class made this crayon cross for our graduating senior Emma. Elyse is a college Clergy Kid who came as a counselor and the other four are moving from middle school to high school before the next retreat. 

Sunday morning worship included performances from Wesley's class (reciting a memory verse) and Parker's class (doing an original skit about being a clergy kid). 

After closing worship we took some pictures inside the chapel of the Holdens and us and then  headed out for a little time on the dock. 

Our Allen-Holden tradition is to walk the Path of Silence and climb the tree for a while before heading out. 

We drove to Davenport and got hotel rooms there and just relaxed for the afternoon. Monday we all spent time at Legoland. Daryl took the big three boys on a quest to conquer all four roller coasters in the park. They had a blast together, while the Holdens and I let the littles enjoy taking their time on some smaller rides just for them. It was a wonderful time of friendship, fellowship and reconnection.