Family, Friends and the Fourth

Where do you start when so much has happened? Do I start with my trip to the airport in a hail storm? Maybe the sprint through JFK airport (all in vain). A hike in the pouring rain? Did I mention being home for the first time in 6 months?!? Spending time with my family, friends, oh, and everyone else that crashed my backyard? Maybe I talk about how it rained every day, or the abounding ruts and puddles. Church camp is always a favorite and riding in a Boeing 777... well, you know that's an opportunity I couldn't pass up! How about home made ice cream cake, birthday shin digs and local fireworks on every side? OK, so better then all of that, were the camp services where the Holy Spirit settled in and young people were transformed for Christ. That indeed, would be the highlight.

These next few pictures are a poor representation of all that was jam packed into my week at home, but at least there's people in these ones!
I started out the week hiking with Joy down in the Catskills. This is the grand (or not-so-grand) view on top of Westkill Mt, in the pouring rain. The overlook was even less thrilling unless you think you can float on clouds.
Teaching Joy the handstand didn't seem too practical, so we settled for the inverted handstand.
And yes, I had to do the handstand.
Despite the dreariness of the day, the plentiful rain made for good scenery and great waterfalls...
...and wet hikers.

The waterfalls weren't big, but I love these next few pictures.

I think this is my favorite.
As I mentioned previously, my pictures don't come close to representing the zillions of things that took place this past week. Despite the rainy conditions, some of the young people were still vying for a hike, errr, mud slogging through the Plotterkill Preserve. The good news - the three waterfalls were amazing. Here's the last one from below... and before all the young people got wet.
I couldn't convince Lacey to let go of the tree for this picture at the top of the waterfall.

The girls contemplate how long it would take to reach the bottom if they jumped the falls.
Elsa and Lacey enjoy the spray.
Has anyone seen Richard? That's gotta give you a headache.
Here's the wet, muddy crew, well, except for Benji who was chasing the football down the cliff for the third time.

My only advice to George... never trust a state educated ex-con!

These next few pictures are from the annual July 4th parade at camp.
Is this the parade or the circus?
Fancy cars complete with Secret Service.
You don't have to have the best float as long as you have the best looking crew! (Go Schenectady!)
Mt. Rockwood!

Somebody better help Bill figure out his new camera phone.
Danielle and Lacey insisted on posing rather then paying attention.
My buddy Noah ensuring all the parade candy was picked up.
Who knew there were cute cowboys...
...and cowgirls in New York too?
There seems to be a little static between Isaac and Ange...

...but that's better then Steve who appears to have a little too much helium in his system. (Don't worry Mar, he'll return to normal in a minute or two.) If you look close, you'll notice Sis. Sickler shrugging it off as par for the course.
The little kids took a break from stomping in the mud puddles to sing a song.

Enjoy until next weekend!