Camp Grandma 2014

The 14th Annual Camp Grandma is over for 2014. The house is so quiet and I am reflecting back on the last week of incredible fun with my 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law, 6 grandchildren, 1 grand daughter-in-law and 1 great granddaughter.

The kids are all grown up now (ages 15 to 25) and it is quite a challenge to find a time when they can all come here to Bloomington at the same time.

Jenni, Chris, Michael, and John arrived Wednesday and Greg, Brooke and little BooBoo Paige came in on Thursday, all from Idaho. Sara had just returned from 3 weeks in Europe with People to People and starts school August 4 so we just had this little window of time to pull off Camp Grandma this year. Whew!  We did it!

Precious!!!

Here is little Paige ready for her first trip to Indiana. She is soooo adorable!

The banner is always hung whenever we have Camp. I told my girls that they had to take over and keep the tradition going after I am gone and the banner is an important part of it all.  

Paige likes my Moses Rock fountain.

Cake sabotage

One of the traditions of CG is Chris's cake. Every year we have a cake that Chris tries to consume without sharing during Camp. The rest of the Campers sabotage his goal at every opportunity. This time they ate a tunnel on the back side of the cake so he wouldn't notice until he cut into that side. Chris caught on when he spotted the chocolate frosting on sweet little Paige's face.

Cookies and two batches of scones

John gets his batch of chocolate chip cookies and Michael ate 2 apple pies. Sara's favorite is cinnamon chip scones and the double batch did not last long.

Brooke & John ready to take off

Friday we spent the day on Lake Monroe on a double decker pontoon boat. The Masengale's met us out there with their little boat and the kids had a great time on the tube and knee board. Paige helped Daddy pilot the boat. It just doesn't get much better!

They did it!!

One of the incredible things about Camp Grandma is how much food is consumed. It becomes a challenge to try to max out their capacity to eat more. In that endeavor we had to eat at Bub's where they serve a 22 oz hamburger called the Big Ugly. Eating one earns a place with picture on the wall of fame. Greg and Michael both finished their Big Ugly along with some fries,shakes and lemonade. Amazing!

Michael and his Big Ugly burger

Gregory with his Big Ugly

The boys did some yard work for me by placing some stepping stones out back and they fixed my rain barrel with the rain chain drain.

One of the favorite activities late into the night was playing Mario Bros on the WiiU. Sara says the motto for CG should be " when you are in trouble, just bubble!"  If you a have ever played the game, you will understand. Fun!

Brooke wanted to make a baby quilt for her sister so Jenni and I set to work on it with her. I forgot to take a picture but we actually did it!  One baby quilt cut out, pieced together, sandwiched with batting, quilted (with George,  of course) and binding on. Complete!!  All while Mario kept the rest of the Campers entertained until the wee hours of the morning. Priceless!

Christopher has decided to transfer to IU to finish his degree in computer science. He met with counselors at Informatics and Kelley business school. He'll be moving here in December to establish residency. I am one very happy Gram!!

So another year goes by and it is time to start planning 2015 Camp Grandma. My heart is so very happy. Life is good!  Thank you Lord!