Father Daughter Campout

We've done Legacy Adventure Camp with the twins and Cole and this time it was Brynn's turn.  She was SO EXCITED to spend two days with daddy.  It is such a neat thing.  They go up on Saturday morning, grab some breakfast on the run, and meet up with the group in Payson.  This time they went to Tonto Creek.
There was a nice quaint little group.  With the boys the groups have been about double, maybe 40 kids and adults together.  This time there was maybe 20 dads and daughters.  They make a craft, shoot bows and arrows (which just happened to be pink), hiking, fire starting and so much more fun.

They slept in Justin's truck rather than a tent, since the weather was getting a little bit chilly up there.  She would have preferred the tent!  They had a wonderful time and made some special memories.

In the evenings the dads gather up to talk and share, and be encouraged.  They also have a time of sharing in which the dads speak to their daughters.  It really is special.

They get a t-shirt, water bottle, group picture, craft, and all the food is provided.  It's really such a stellar experience (so they say of course).  It's also very affordable. You can see more about Legacy Adventure Camp here.

Father Son Campout with Cole

Cole went with Justin to Legacy Adventure Camp.  It was his turn.  They had a great time throwing hatchets, shooting arrows, starting fires, hiking by the lake, geo caching, and making notebooks.  One on One time with Cole is always so good. He thrives on it.  It is challenging I'm sure to be the oldest of 6 kids.  This quick time away is refreshing for them all.  

It is a fun tradition we've started and the kids love it.  Next up is Brynn then the twins again.  They run enough camps each year for everyone to get a turn to go with Daddy!

Justin said Cole cried when it was Justin's turn to share with him in front of the group.  My tenderhearted, tough exterior boy! Sure love him.

Random Bits of Crazy Fun

Since my last post before Cole's school post was about our trip to Utah, which was in July and it is now November there is much to catch up on concerning the happenings at the Martin house.

It's been a full year of adventures, travels, sports, and growing up.

Flagstaff County Fair

We headed up north to Flagstaff end of August first of September for the county fair.  My parents camp their each year, at the campground right next door to the fair. My mom is so generous, she buys the kids an all day wrist band to ride the rides.  The weather was great, slightly overcast, and the kids had a blast. 

Morton's and Martin's at Stoneman Lake
This one is fun. Chris and Justin took the kids, ALLL the kids, up north to Stoneman lake for a day.  The plan was to hike around, shoot stuff, eat hot dogs and pound down some S'mores.

As I understand it, as the kids were hiking They decided to hit a fallen tree with their swords. Out of it came rushing a bunch of bees.  Brody got the worst of it, he was stung many times.  By the time they got back to camp his face began to swell.  One eye...then the other.  The guys were worried.

They packed the crew into the van and took off for Flagstaff.  When they got to the Urgent care, they were in no urgent mood. Justin decided, since Brody was looking a little better, to leave and just get Benadryl.  That seemed to do the trick.  After a quick nap and some throw up Brody was back to playing.

They decided not to go back to Stoneman, but instead they found some forest near the airport and set up a campfire.  The finished out the night with the kids, hot dogs, S'mores and some campfire.  They were all satisfied and had a great time.

Legacy Adventure Camp
Justin took the boys up to Payson for Legacy Adventure Camp. LAC provides a father and son connection through activities, scripture, and intentional fatherhood. They got to throw hatchets, start fires, bows and arrows, go hiking with a compass, do an art project for their mom, and talk about what God desires for them as growing young men.
It was an awesome overnight with the boys and Justin and gave them some quality time with other father and sons. 
We plan for it to be an annual experience between Justin and whomever boy's turn it is.  They do several a year, so we are very excited.

NAU Homecoming
We went up to Flagstaff for NAU's homecoming in October.  It was very exciting for me, of course, and I was excited to share the fun with the family.

They had a parade, an Alumni bbq, jump houses, the band, the cheerleaders, and of course the football team.

The kids made it through half the football game, which was 1 and half hours, and we topped it off with a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings and a very quiet drive home.

It was a great time, an although they don't fully understand the nostalgia for me, it was awesome to share it with them. I did kinda wish I was back on the field though, in that cute cheer uniform.  But, we only get to live once. I'm thankful for the fun I had then and the blessings I have now.