You Can Never Know How Happy This Makes My Heart

 

It is the end of summer.  It has become a tradition for us to have the Wammyville Campout in our backyard.  And you know I love a good campout!

18 adults, 15 yahoos, and 5 dogs

19 overnighters

Everyone brings their favorite pizza, I make a big salad, and we always have delicious desserts.  And then the stories begin.

We move the indoor furniture outside for the yahoos.  And it was hot and steamy!

You may wonder why I am wearing long sleeves and jeans.  Well, the bugs feast on me and then I itch like crazy, and that turns into what looks like I have been shot in the legs with buckshot.  Bug spray doesn't help, so this is what I have to do.

The twins came for dinner.  No campout for them this year.  But they did get loved on by lots of big and little people.

Who can tell the biggest story?

This looks pretty serious.

It must be almost bedtime for Boone.

The Rockhold, the Bruce, the Zimmerman tents.  The Heitkamps' tent was to the right of this line, and I was in my hammock in the way back.

Two of the best camping girls I know.

Melissa is new to the Wammyville village.  We volunteer at Eastside together, and her daughter will be coming to preschool this year.  Dan was golfing, so he came a little later.

The Bruces got a new slushy machine for their anniversary.  They had to share some special slushies with the troops.   Everyone gave a thumbs up!

And look at this guy serving all professional like.

Crack me up!

Adi took one for the team.  Ava is not a camper... no, no way...NEVER!  So I suggested that they have a sleepover in the guest room.  Well, that was the biggest hit of the night.

I love sitting back and watching all the interactions and listening to all the stories and tall tales.

Kory is making one of my favorite parts of the night...a big campfire.  I don't care if it is 50 below or 110; I could sit by a campfire like my life depends on it.

This is what the kids tend to do...go to the basement and dig out all the dress-ups.  Then it's Wammy, take my picture.  And then comes Let me see it.

Sometimes you jsut need a helping hand.

The Arman family came, and I had to give them a garden tour.  And I sent them home with a big bag of fresh veggies.  Amber found my first little teeny tiny birdhouse gourd.

We picked and ate a few too many cherry tomatoes.  Looks like my little helper plans on eating a handful of tomatoes.

I think Lilly and Bailey will become fast friends this year during preschool.

Nora, the stunning southern belle.

And it is Whomp 'em time!  With a few s'mores thrown in for extra measure.

And who would have ever thought that Gabe would like a s'more?

Look at the full moon over the Heitknamp's tent.

I checked on the girls and they were totally out!  That didn't take long at all.

The moon from the inside of my bug net over my hammock around 12:30 am.  The moon was so bright.

We all love a big breakfast.

And Kory can serve it up...bacon, eggs, and sausage, with a side of fried potatoes.  Jeremy keeps the coffee coming.  And the Monkey Bread I made lasted a mano second.

Jase and Amanda are making sure everything looks good.  Or is he looking to get the first piece of sausage?

As Pappy would say...it's closing time.  Aiden is helping get their gear to the van.  He's working smarter, not harder. Aiden is another new preschool yahoo this year.

That's one way to do it.  Really, it is the only way to do it.

I hope this camping tradition continues.  When the time comes, I hope they will roll me out of the home in my wheelchair, cover me with a blanket, and sit me next to the fire with a whomp'em stick in my hand.

Speaking of whomp'em sticks...I have a few that my friend made for me to sell.  They are $5 each.  Let me know, and I will hook you up.

Thank you, Wammyville Village, for all the memories that were made and for doing all the clean-up inside and out.  Not to mention the little honey-do jobs that were completed.  You guys are awesome!