Eagle Camp 2016 version

Every year for one week all we do is play.  There are no responsibilities.  I don't have to plan or prepare meals.  I don't even have to clean up after a meal.  I get a nap each afternoon.  Someone makes our beds each day.  I can do whatever I want and so can Drew and so can the kids.  The only rule for the kids is to let us know where they will be and with whom.  Oh, and be home by Taps.  That's it so go have fun!  And fun we did have this year.  The weather was so close to perfect.  The lake had an inviting water temperature.  So much family, so much fun, and so much relaxing to squeeze into one week!

Camp "rules" on the back of every "greenie" door

To me Vermont is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  I simply love it and can't believe this was the 21st summer I have been to camp.  I suggested not going to summer because of the Olympics.  It was immediately vetoed by my family. They were wiser than me!

When I say we hardly see the kids all week I really mean it.  There are so many cousins and other camp friends to keep them entertained for hours.  They know where they can and can't go and best of all....it's very safe!  After breakfast the kids take off for the day.  Elena went to playschool each morning from 9-12.  The other three just played or swam.  We saw Emma the least and I suspect it's because she is the oldest.  She misses us by Friday...at least that is what Drew and I tell ourselves!

Coffee before breakfast anyone?

Golf Croquet...Drew and Samuel just squeaked out a victory

These two made it to the 3rd round of the shuffleboard tournament...crazy!

Bocce...the only tournament Jonah likes and we didn't win.

We stay in the cutest little cabin.  It is a two story four room cabin with lights and cold water.  At camp this is a total luxury!  This year they put in a "greenie" right next to our cabin.  Oh happy day to have a bathroom and shower right next door.

The boys liked snorkeling and taking out the kayaks.  They had hoped to show off their newly acquired sailing skills, but the sunfish was not in sailing shape.  Samuel was so disappointed!

Each evening there is an activity.  Monday is Bingo, Tuesday is tie dye, Wednesday was softball/baseball after the picnic, Thursday was flag football and slip 'n slide, and Friday is the talent show.  Everything is about tradition.  Everyone pretty knows what to expect when and that is part of the beauty of camp.

Elena and Lauren's last playschool talent show skit

We always take a picture by the Eagle Camp sign.  Can't break tradition.  And, this year we took a big family picture in the chapel.  Meemaw was surrounded by lots of love!

Special memories, special family, special friends in a very special place.  Eagle Camp on Lake Champlain is a pretty magical way to end our summer travels!

Eagle Camp 2015

Eagle Camp always means the end of summer for me for the most part.  That was especially true this year as camp was a week later than usual.  Thank goodness no matter the weather it is a great place to spend time.  Time with family and friends on a beautiful late in a peaceful and never changing camp is a gift. 

We arrived on Saturday way earlier than normal because of a different travel plan this year.  I loved it and I think it might be our plan for future years.  The kids and I met Drew and Emma in Albany which is less than three hours from camp.  We usually have an 8-9 hour drive that day.  We took the day to leisurely travel to camp and do some exploring in the Adirondacks (here).  Arriving at camp at 3pm was great!  It felt like we had the entire day yet to play and prepare for the week.

Ferry ride to camp

 The first night at camp is always a marshmallow roast at the lower beach.  This year the sunset was truly beyond words.  It was a beautiful way to start our week!

My fishing boys

Unfortunately for us the weather was not in our favor for too much of the week.  It rained way too much for my liking and camp was just a little too muddy.  The rain doesn't really stop the kiddos because they will play in anything.  It just gave me a reason to cuddle under a blanket and read.  That was awesome, but I would have much rather been enjoying the outside.

Way too many skies like this

We were headed to the lake when it started pouring so Samuel played in the rain behind our cabin.

Jonah doing a little puddle jumping

This group took a bide ride that began with sun and ended in pouring rain

Hayden and Samuel were muddy messes after the ride

I was pretty sick of my raincoat by Friday

When the sun did shine we took full advantage by playing and playing hard.  Drew and I feel like we rarely see our kiddos because they play so much with their cousins.  It is the perfect safe place to wander and enjoy.  Elena went to school each morning which she loved.  The boys played with cousins and friends.  We competed poorly in the tournaments, but had fun doing it!  Drew and I visited, played games, rode bikes, exercised, went on walks, played tennis, or ran.  There is never a shortage of activity.  Drew and I hadn't played tennis in years and it was a blast.  We need to do it more often.  I was finally healthy enough to participate in the morning exercise class taught by Drew's sister Greta or his cousins Gretchen and/or Erica.  I loved that!  Running was finally something I could do again and that was a true highlight for me.  The shores of Lake Champlain are my favorite place to run.  Drew took the boys sailing, fishing, and kayaking on several occasions.

Emma loved having Alice at camp....Uncle Mark's niece

I did not run up sunset hill this year.  It takes more than my hadn't been running all summer legs had in them, but Drew and I did walk to the top so we could enjoy the view.  I tackled many more gradual hills, but this is a killer. 

Sassy 5 year olds Lauren and Elena

College roommates and friends for 20+ years!  Crazy that Erica just happens to be Drew's cousin too!

We took our annual camp pictures.  I love seeing how they change from year to year.  We did miss Lara and family who had to stay home because school had started.  So, no big Mann family picture this year.

Hetty!  It was her 30th year at camp!

Leaving is never easy because it is way too long until we see Drew's family again.  We were "wa widi'd" this year at Friday night ice cream since we left so early on Saturday.  That stunk, but it made Saturday morning a little less emotional for us all. 

All the cousins did one thing or another in the Friday night talent show.  Their skits were super cute with my favorites being John and Elena singing "Everything is Awesome" from the Lego Movie and a large group doing a "Camp's Got Talent" skit!  These kids are too creative!

Even the weather was gloomy as we left our beloved shores of Lake Champlain....

Our tradition is to eat apple cider donuts for breakfast when we leave camp.  It's the only donut worth eating in my opinion.

We are always happier when we take the ferry picture going to camp.  Despite the rain we had a memory-filled awesome week.  Can't wait to return next year and do it all over again!!!!

Wa Widi Eagle Camp....