Our annual COTH trip

We go at least once a year and it's always awesome! This year did not disappoint...we heart Camp of the Hills and what it means to our family and to hundreds of inner-city children each summer who otherwise would not have the opportunity to go to camp. There are a ton of pictures so prepare yourself. Here is what we were up to last week...

Our first day there (my birthday), Drew the camp director, took us out on the pontoon boat. Judah LOVED it!


And so did Jace! It was his first time on a boat and his first time to COTH. We were so blessed that he and his mommy got to go with us to experience this wonderful place.


Drew even let Judah help drive the boat for a little while. :-)


Drew and his fiance Amanda are getting married next May at COTH and the reception will be in the newly built dining hall that should be ready for camp next summer!


The boys were extremely loved on and carried around everywhere...they loved it!


Jace and Judah sat next to each other at every meal in the dining hall...


Judah especially loved the oranges.


Nikki, aka Coco to the kids, had a lot of fun with the boys...


Some of the CA's (camp assistants) took Judah swimming in the swimming hole...


Singing camp songs with the campers...




The girl campers getting their toes done on "spa night"


Judah loved the camp dog, Brandy


My mom reading books to my boys in her cottage


One of Elijah's favorite things is to drive my mom around camp...


Finally started getting pictures of Elijah with his cabin. He was a day camper so I hardly saw him very much. Here he is with some of his cabin-mates.


The boys loved running around the dining hall...


And they also enjoyed driving Pam's car around camp...


Looking out over camp from where the 3 crosses are...






One of Elijah's counselors, Kyle


And sweet Amanda kept Jace and Judah while we watched the crucifixion reenactment. When we came back, they had karaoke going and the boys were singing in microphones...too cute!


Part of Elijah's cabin with his 3 counselors - Simeon, Kyle and Carl. The little boy on the far right with the hat is from Ethiopia. :-)


Elijah was in love with Frankie, one of the CA's. She grew up at Fortress so we have known her since she was younger than Elijah.


The group gathered around to sing camp fast songs...


Judah got a little sleepy and laid down under a table during the awards ceremony.


Abby Jo (the head girl CA) and Judah


The dining hall all decorated for the banquet / award's ceremony


Frankie, Nikki, Lauren and Abby Jo - check out Lauren's hair! :-)


Frankie escorted Elijah in for the banquet


It was a circus theme so all the kids got to wear clown noses


Elijah received "Camper with the Most Spunk" and "Kind & Compassionate" awards


Then each camper goes through the hug line of every single counselor. His sweet counselor Simeon just cried and hugged Elijah for a long time...


And Aunt Laur-Laur and Matt drove in from Austin to watch him get his awards. Elijah was pretty proud that they came!


Another great week out at camp! Elijah may get to go back at the end of the month to spend a few more days with my mom. It is the highlight of his entire year when we go out there.