Wawona

I look forward to Wawona year round. The minute I leave it I'm already anticipating next year's retreat. Unlike some other camps which have hour by hour activities/seminars/etc., Wawona's basic schedule is "put another log on the fire, heat up more hot cocoa/coffee/tea, take a leisurely walk if ya want, have another pleasant conversation/heart-to-heart, laugh til your sides ache (in some instances :-p), find a game to play, strum a guitar and/or listen to someone strum a guitar." So seeing as this is a fabulous concoction of some of my favorite things, and adding the fact that I've gone since I was a pixy in a Pooh Bear blanket sleeper, it's not suprising that every year about this time, a girlish grin will involuntarily creep across my face meaning one thing - we're going to Wawona.

Megan and Saundra in the great potato prep race. I wish I could have been an eye witness to this. All I caught of it was hysterical laughter coming from the direction of the kitchen as it neared the dinner hour.

As those in the kitchen prepared potatoes, others were outside grilling chicken

self-explanatory

Ryan and Josiah puddle-jumping

Paul and Timmy duke it out

A captured moment from what was (in my opinion) the best game of Taboo I've ever played :-p

Mrs. Clorox - "what can I bleach for you?!" :)

Making ornaments

This weekend's latest styles- brought to you by Maddie Myers :)

Sweet friendship

More from Taboo....in which Mrs. Holly and those in close proximity could hardly function due to an infectious case (epidemic really) of side-splitting laughter

having a chat

laughing is contagious and it's advantageous, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

God has seen fit to LAVISHLY bless me with precious jewels in the form of close girl friends.

Yes, you've guessed correctly....these, too, come from that same game of Taboo. Who'da thunk that a thermometer coupled in reference to a nose could be so funny.

Darel recited a work of Tennyson for the talent show

They found ice (and Connor grew horns out the side of his neck?!?)

Just about 360 days to go til next year's retreat.....(359...358...) :)

~Kaylee

Around the house, and various performances

Molly is a shameless beggar. We taught her to "say please." Now her usage of the trick is frequent and more to the tune of "gimme gimme." In this instance, "I'd like some of those purdy mashed taters, if'n you don't mind." :-p



She has also mastered the "heart-melting snuggle/grovel" technique. :) Sometimes I think she's a little too cute for her own good.

At this semester's community choir/command performance, Connor was asked to play a piece (Tarantella, by William Henry Squire) . He's excelled in his studies, loves his instrument, and performed beautifully. Well done, Connor.

And then there are my ballet students who just did their Fall ballet recital - A Thanksgiving Portrait. Above are my oldest level girls (ballet 1). They performed as a Prayer of Thanksgiving.
( A BIG thank you to Mrs. Ridley for the use of her photos!)

These girls are some of my Indians (pre-ballet). Such sweethearts :)

And this is one of my four Pilgrims (also pre-ballet). I can't get over how adorable their costumes turned out. :)

introducing my classes

two of my older dancers

My Harvest dancers getting ready (beginning ballet)

tendu! :)

The program

One of the top 10 ways to brighten my day :)

More adventures with Connor's boys

Three of Connor's buddies from Biola Elementary School (his charges for the evening).
Peoples Church hosted a Halloween alternative and sent a bus out to Biola to pick up kids. Connor rode along and helped chaperone the evening.

Great "dad practice!" Carrying his little guys' loot!

Speaking of "dads," Tim enjoyed the evening, too :-)

We came across a few little princesses that we know!

And Kaylee found one of her young ballet students.

Licia Clark and Connor checking the list -- all present and accounted for? Ready to get back on the bus?
Off they go!