Water Bonanza sell @ CCR

This is a video from when "Rowdy and Slim" did the Water Bonanza Sell at Crooked Creek Ranch. Watch how Ryan reacts when a dead fish is dropped on him...it's priceless!

Jackson's 1st Word (besides DaDa & MaMa)

My parents dog's name is Daisy, which is why he said it.  I don't think he's that into flowers.  He is 10 months old in this video.

His other official words include: cow, car, and hors-devours. :)

CCR Week 4

We can't believe our time at CCR is almost over.  What a gift this time has been!  Hundreds of high school kids have come to know the Lord, and we have watched Jackson grow up before our eyes.  Here are some recent pics...

One of Jackson's favorite activities...playing by the pool while his friends swim.

Standing up like a big boy.

Playing with the grass.

Waiting for Club to start.  This week we have a lot of Urban kids here..it's so fun!

Mr. Matt making Jackson belly-laugh.

CCR Week 3

Here are some recent photos.  We are still having a blast, experiencing the privilege of watching kids come to know Jesus in a personal way, and loving living in community here.  

Sunset Sky.

Ryan leading a portion of the new Christian walk on the last of camp.  Last week 136 students began a relationship with Christ!

Young Life believes in excellence in everything so as to most clearly reflect the gospel of Jesus.  Even the flowers are over the top!  I mean, look at this flower basket!

Jackson and David playing.

Jackson and Daddy having fun in the wrestling ring.

David is so sweet to Jackson.  He even likes to hold on to his stroller when we walk.

Banana Pudding face.

The program guys and their families.  Top: Ryan, Matt, Jack, and Bryan.  Bottom: Ellen, Jackson, Lensey, Laynie, and Camille (with Baby Colette in her tummy!)

All camp hike.  Mom and Dad, the hike we do now is different than the ones you guys did here...it's much easier now!!

Beautiful wildflowers!

This is the 2nd week in a row that campers have carried their disabled friend on a "chariot" up the mountain.  It's amazing.  I can't walk too close to them or I can't stop tearing up.  Reminds me of the guys who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus through the roof.  

Ryan and I got to hike without Jackson.

Ryan and Carson.

Carson Long.

CCR Week 2

We are having such a good time out here at Crooked Creek Ranch!  The weather is PERFECT - about 70 - 75 degrees during the day at about 40 - 50 degrees at night.  Jackson is still doing great and he is loving all the attention he gets.  Here are some firsts for him:

- He had his first pair of stinky feet (pew!)

- He no longer uses a bath seat when he takes a bath.  He is loving playing in the tub!

- He tried and loves strawberries.  He doesn't like eggs though.  

- He saw his first horses.

- He is starting to get opinionated about food.  I think he's entering a "texture" phase where he doesn't like certain textures.  He is spitting out deli turkey, and even bananas sometimes.  He loves bread of all kinds, though.  

This is how I keep my active mover contained when I get ready.  :)  

Ryan is greeting one of the Capernaum (special needs) campers.  We are LOVING having them here!

This is the little tiny truck that Slim & Roudy use to make their entrance.

"Sam & Steve Simmons," Motivational Speakers Extraordinairs.  They lead the games at club.

This game is called "Dive For Pain."  3 guys jump off the trampoline and belly flop into the water.  It's so fun!

Kids loving club.

Ropes Course.  (Mom and Dad, this one is different than the one you guys did a few years ago)

Watching Daddy.  

Volleyball Tournament.

The little boys "helping" heir Daddy's.

A giant game of Angry Birds.

We let Jackson try Banana Pudding and he LOVED it.

Laynie and Rebecca being silly.

David's mustache for Western Night.

Carnival.

Some of the kids playing with dry ice.

The Rest of Week 1 @ CCR

We are having an amazing time here at Crooked Creek Ranch.  There is just something about the beauty of the Rocky Mtns that God uses to minister to my heart....I love these mountains! Ryan made it through his exhausting, non-stop week without getting sick and without losing his voice (small miracle).  

God has been so good in so many ways that it's hard to really sum up.  The most exciting thing is that 130 campers stood up last night and professed that they began a relationship with Jesus this week!!  It's breathtaking to see them stand up in front of their peers to say that.  Wow.  Living in community here has been such a blessing, too.  A lot of us on staff come to camp weary/lonely/tired after a year of being in the trenches with kids.  Living with one another here has rejuvenated us all as we are able to encourage one another, share common struggles, and talk deeply about life.  (It's also nice to have other moms watching out for your child!)  A few of my friends (old and new) have surprised me by saying they would watch Jackson for me or keep his monitor while he slept so I could get out and enjoy camp, and that is such a blessing to me!  

This is the GIANT swing here.  It's ridiculous.  

Jackson and I ready for Western Night.

Slim and Roudy Pickins 

(Thanks, mom, for helping with the patches. They look great!)

Jackson's new friend, Addie.  She is 10 months old and she loves to crawl after Jackson.  He crawls ahead, then turns to wait for her to catch up, then takes off again.  He's playing hard to get!

I love this one!

"Mommy, can we go outside yet?"

Somebody got into the poker chips.

Everyone here loves Jackson.  It's so sweet.

Making boy noises.

I think Jackson thinks that dirty thumbs taste better.

It's awesome to see YL leaders spending 1-on-1 time with their campers.

This was not staged.  He really fell asleep on the floor...ha!

Jackson holding court.

Playing with Daddy.