Christmastime at Pine Cove

Camp in the summer is always fun and in full swing...but camp in the winter...who knew that Pine Cove is going all year, and this year I've gotten to be involved and see so many different aspects of the different seasons. 

I had the privilege of working a conference just a few weeks before Christmas, and it was such a fun few days spent with families and their kiddos. We made gingerbread houses, used more paint, glue, and glitter than I thought was possible in arts and crafts, dressed up for Christmas skits, and as always had some great worship and speaker sessions.

This was our small little team of champions during the Gingerbread House Competition...the stakes were high, and as much as I wish I could say our house is the one on the right...I'm proud to claim that candy yard and fallen down house in the middle. :) A fun night! 

Got to be in a Pine Cove skit...which if you know a lot about Pine Cove you know skits are the epitome of camp fun...I was Ellie the Elf with my friend Eddie the Elf and we were working hard to get things ready in Santa's Workshop...but the two "Lumberjerks" came along and wanted to chop down all the trees and destroy the workshop...throughout the weekend we finally brought them back to the true meaning of Christmas and had them turn their chopping skills into making their very own Gingerbread House...a fun few days with these friends!

Arts and crafts...making Christmas ornaments and painting pine cones...if you don't make a mess, did you even really do arts and crafts?! Haha...I did, however, realize that glitter is extremely hard to clean up...but as an elementary teacher, I say more glitter, more fun, right?! :) ....most of the time...

In the midst of loving on campers, making gingerbread houses, being in skits, and painting ornaments, there are always meals to serve and dishes to clean. This is our incredibly fun and hard-working Work Crew that we got to hang out with all weekend. They made the meals run so smoothly and were so eager to serve and help! Love these girls and the friendships made!

These are my fun friends who make working on the weekends a joy and a lot of fun. We serve at the Shores, the high school camp, and the Bluffs, a family camp, helping out with retreats and conferences. These guys keep me laughing, always take pictures when I fall asleep, and know how to play a great game of Mafia at a Christmas party...haha! Love serving for the sake of the Gospel with these guys. 

Autumn Tea Parites

There are not many things better than an autumn tea party and brunch with 14 of your best girlfriends. 

I love the simple decorations and details that made this afternoon such a treat and one of my favorites...happened to fall on my half birthday, which was the best way to celebrate November 12th and 22 1/2 years of life. #takealittletimefortea

Community

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

- Psalm 133:1

Life with 14 girls...so much fun, laughter, tears, honesty, truth, and hot tea. I am learning what it looks like to live with in Christian community and to spur each other on, coming to one another as bringers of salvation.

Texas State Fair

After getting off work from a weekend retreat, we decided to roadtrip to Dallas on the last day of the fair...

We kidnapped our friend Tyler to come along with us...and of course stopped by Steel City Pops on the way...

 After hours of traffic and finding a place to park...we made it with a few hours to spare...

Big Tex...a Texas State Fair icon!

And of course we had to get the classic corn dog...

First time to the Texas State Fair in the books. 

Thanks for the adventures, Dallas.

New friends

Two weeks in and so many friendships made. Common experiences truly bonds people and in a matter of weeks it's hard to imagine the end of eight months.

These are the girls in the Forge...so many different, unique, and fun personalities.

These are the girls that are in my hub and that got me through Rope's Training...

This is my dear friend Mackenzie who makes me laugh and who I am forever bonded with after we both shared tears on the Ropes Course...

Honk If You Love Seniors

Sending this one off to her senior year of high school...it's truly hard to believe. 

We made a little trip to Kroger the night before to get things for breakfasts and lunches -- we had the windows down and were listening to our favorite summer playlist.

It's moments like this that I wish I could frame and remember forever.


I asked her if she had her backpack packed and she laughed and said, "With WHAT?!"
Always keeping us laughing.

Her and her best friend Hannah dressed up in their neon and welcomed in the elementary and middle school students. A tradition at CAL...seems like a lifetime ago that I was in their shoes. Love both of them and am excited for the year ahead.

A Birthday on the Beach

My 22nd birthday happened to fall during the week of finals. It was on a Tuesday and my friends and I finished our final Student Teaching presentations on Monday! So we decided to hop in the car at 6:00 am on Tuesday morning and spend a day on the beach. We got to the beach around 10:30 and stayed till about 4:30. It was an amazing day as we played in the ocean and got burnt to a crisp. The sunshine reflecting on the water made all of our faces a little red, but who else can say they got a tan during finals week?! 

Harper and Abbi are such sweet friends, and I could not have made it through education without them. It was such a fun day that I will always treasure the memories made. As we were leaving, a lady asked if we were cheerleaders down for a cheerleading competition. A few days out from college graduation, we'll take it. :)