Monteagle- Day 8

Today after "games" in the morning, we ate lunch on the porch and then Ann Ferris went to play cards with a friend while Schaeffer played Ultimate Frisbee. Schaeffer also played with Saxon for a while. Kristy went to the "book swap" at the Winfield House Library while I spent most of the afternoon napping in the hammock on the front porch. Tonight at "all assembly" bingo Kristy won two times in a row, but let the kids get the prizes. Quite a remarkable statistical achievement.

Here are some pictures of our excursion to Greeter Falls creek on Saturday...

The group picture

Sarah Wynn on the creek walk (or creek sit)

With Schaeffer's Steve Irwin instincts, he was bound to find a creature.

The swimming hole

The kids (and dog)

Monteagle- Days 6 & 7

Yesterday (day 6) we went on an excursion with several families to Greeter Falls creek and swimming hole. That trip has become something of a tradition. In the evening we attended a party hosted by the Quinlens of Memphis. Got into a late-night discussion about politics and religion. So much fun! Today (day 7) began with me teaching the young adult Sunday School class at the assembly and worship in the chapel. Afterward, we enjoyed lunch with the Catletts (Nashville friends) at the dining hall, and I rested in the hammock and played "horse" with Schaeffer in the gym. Finally, Kristy took the kids back to the chapel for a dramatic reading for adults and children. Tonight Kristy is looking forward to putting her feet up and watching Masterpiece Theater Mystery. I may watch it, too, or join her after going for a moonlight walk around the grounds. Below are some more recent pics. So far we've uploaded 225 photos on flickr.com (search my name and click on Monteagle Summer 2008 set).

With Joanna Douglas and the Quinlens for a late-night "all adult" hang out.

Schaeffer with friends catching crawdads in one of the creeks.

The kids getting ready for the hay-ride.

A special "mother/daughter" moment at The Blue Chair Bakery.

We hosted the desert for the progressive supper for "the eagles" on our porch on Thursday.

Schaeffer and Ann Ferris at the campfire with smores which was held at "the point."

Sarah Wynn playing water games on Friday morning with the "hummingbirds."

Schaeffer playing basketball with the boys.

Ann Ferris serving in the King position (or I suppose Queen position) in nine-square, which takes four-square to a new level.

Monteagle- Day 4

Today after games, Ann Ferris went to arts and crafts while Schaeffer played tennis with his buddy, Walker. This evening, their age group had a progressive supper. The plan for a progressive supper is to "progress" from one stage of the meal to the next: the appetizer at one cottage, the main course at another cottage, and the desert at our cottage! After that they went to a bonfire to eat smores at "the point"- a scenic spot overlooking the valley about 2,100 feet below. With lows in the 50s (I'm wearing a fleece on the porch right now), a bonfire in June is not merely endurable, but actually is quite enjoyable. The highlight of tomorrow's agenda is an afternoon nature hike with a park ranger and then hayrides. After the kids are "down," Kristy and I are hosting some friends for a late-night adult get together on the porch of our cottage.

Fire Truck & Safety Day

Sarah Wynn's "Hummingbird" Group

Daddy and his littlest girl

Schaeffer playing soccer on an old tennis court. When you love the game, you'll play anywhere.

Daddy and Sarah Wynn going down the slide at the pool.

Ann Ferris enjoying the water.

Monteagle- Day 3

Hello friends and family. Here are some highlights from day 3 on the mountain:

• Games for the kids from 10:00-noon (Mon.-Fri.)
  
• The kids enjoyed meeting some highway patrolmen who gave demonstrations on auto safety as well as gave tours of fire trucks, ambulances, etc.
  
• Schaeffer and I played ultimate Frisbee with a bunch of guys during rest hour (rest for whom?!)
  
• An afternoon of swimming with friends (and water basketball)... Schaeffer also played soccer with a coach and kids from Europe
  
• Breakfast for dinner at The Blue Chair
• Winnie the Pooh movie in the auditorium
• And best of all... "PERFECT" weather- oh my, this is like Garden of Eden weather!

So far we've taken over 200 photos (in only 3 days). So I just set up a flikr account in case you want to see more. Go to flickr.com and search "mckay caston." The only set I've begun is Monteagle- Summer 2008. I haven't uploaded all the pics, but will be posting more as the vacation continues. Here are some sample pics.

At games... if you look closely you will see Schaeffer and Ann Ferris.

Kristy walking with Sarah Wynn across one of the bridges.

The snack shop.

Playing on the hammock.

I just love this picture.

Lunch on the side porch.

SWC ready for a bike ride.

Monteagle- Day 2

Today Kristy and I got up and enjoyed a morning walk around the grounds before the kids left for "games." While they were at games we went to browse Mountain Outfitters (Schaeffer needs some water sandals for the creek) and The Blue Chair. But the highlight of the morning was the garter snake that hangs out around the playground. I got a great picture of the snake hiding in his hole in a railroad tie.

After eating lunch on the porch with the kids, we met a friend at the nine-square court so that Sarah Wynn and one of her buddies could ride bikes. After that we retired to the playground where, while sitting on a picnic table, we encountered an old Ole Miss Chi-O friend that we had not seen since 1992). Following a game of Apples to Apples at Sterling and Summer's cottage, Ann Ferris went to crafts (and made a tie-dye t-shirt) while Schaeffer played tennis with Walker.

Tonight, the kids watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the cottage while Kristy and I slipped out for our first ever date to High Point, a mini-splurge that included not only awesome atmosphere (in a mountain top stone home turned restaurant that is on the national register of historic places), but also unreal cuisine (lobster bisque and almond crusted mahi mahi). We may not be able to go back for a long time, but we will hang on to the memory of that experience.

As I'm posting, the Boston Celtics have just defeated the Lakers 4-2 to win the NBA Chapionship. And I really do hope to post some pictures very soon.

Prince Caspian

Last Saturday I took the big two to see the matinee (from the French matinée, literally, "morning") showing of Prince Caspian. Going to the matinee saved us $4 per ticket! :0) Anyway, they had been looking forward to PC all year and were giddy with excitement as the movie began. Being veritable Narnia scholars, they kept making reference that "this is not in the book," but thoroughly enjoyed the movie nonetheless. Also, there were some really good post-viewing gospel-oriented themes to discuss.