4-O with friends

Later in July we headed to the 4-O with the Tuleys, Hopkins, Livesays, & Junods.  These 36 hours were a highlight of the summer for all of us!  The Olmstead ranch provided everyone a way to spend good quality time for together for the brief stint that Nick was in Texas.


I failed to do a good job of documenting with my camera.  I took more of the house than of the kids.

Maybe because we were always outside doing something.  Swimming in the lake, fishing, roaming, playing on the playset, etc.

Here he goes!

Nice lake water.  No thanks for me but a delight for the kids!

The oldest of the posse.  There were 18 kids there on Saturday since the Pitts came up for the day.

Derek across the way.  The dad's would sneak off at times of quiet and solitude while fishing.

It was so peaceful here

Where we all stayed.  The kids stayed in the bunk room that slept maybe 16 kids with 6-8 bunkbeds with a trundle.  Money!  Each family had their own room with one using one of the added on outside cabins outside the house.

The old school playset and trampoline were constantly being used.

The gameroom where the boys could be found at times.

The outdoors cabins.

One of the living areas.  We all had space to spread out.

 The hunting family had animals everywhere.  The kids loved it.

 Where everyone stuffed their faces all weekend.  We would eat, catch up with one another, eat some more, love on each other, discipline a child, eat some more.

 Each outside cabin had a sitting are with two adjoining rooms.

 The warthog and bobcat were a little frightening to my boys taking a nap one day.

Even though we don't get to see any of these families that often, it's so natural to just step right back into the friendship.  I love how Derek last minute threw in some old boots and jeans for the trip.  I kept telling him it wasn't like camping in Jacksonville.  He understood when we got there just how enamored we all get when we enter the 4-O.  Thanks to Katie who was an incredible hostess solo until David came in front a mission trip.  We are thankful for the invitation!