Sanborn Big Spring - Torrey's 1

For the first time this summer, I went to Sanborn Western Camps in Colorado. I went with Ben and Steve Bratton because they have been going for 6 years. The flight there and just getting to the camp was super easy and smooth. Once I was there, the first few days were pretty slow, because we didn't have any trips yet, just activities. I got my schedule around day 4 and the first thing I had was the MTB all day. It was really fun and we just road mountain biking trails on the camp's property. That was all we had the first week other than just typical summer camp things. Week 2 of camp was almost completely taken up by S.O.L.E. which is the Sanborn Outdoor Leadership Experience. This was a 5 day co-ed backpacking trip. Our group had 5 girl and 5 guys. We started the trip with 3 days of trail work on Mount Massive which is the largest mountain in Colorado. We fixed about 400 yards of social trails and braids. The last two days we just did hiking on the Wheeler Trail. Week 3 of camp had a lot going on. On Monday ad Tuesday we were attempting to summit Mount Ouray. Two kids got sick though so we ended up turning back and not getting to summit. On Wednesday I did the Spring Tank Bomber which is a 28 mile walk through Sanborn's 6,000 acre property. On Thursday and Friday I had the MTB 2 day scheduled, but I got super sick for about 3 days so I ended up missing it. Week 4 was all about long trips. I did Tarryalls which was 26 miles total over 4 days. We had 7 kids and 5 counselors and it was really fun. It was all just hiking though and we didn't summit anything. My counselor's names were Carter Edwards and Jack Rissman and they were both really good.

 By Cadie,

"I was lucky enough to get to spend half of my summer in Hawaii with my Aunt Courtney and Henry. They were both very generous to extend their home to me and I had a fabulous stay with them. I got my first job! Working at an arcade was a good learning experience and it taught me that I never want to work at one again haha! However, I am grateful for the good first job experience (and money), and it was a pretty fun place to work. Spending time at the beach and in the sun was amazing. I even saw a turtle at the beach one day, and it was super cool to see it swimming, and poking its head above the waves. Kona has some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen! Exploring town was fun and I found a coffee shop called HICO that I went to most Friday mornings! Exploring the island with Courtney and Henry was amazing and I had so much fun visiting waterfalls, jungles, and even a green sand beach (there are only 4 in the world)! One struggle was learning how to drive Courtney‘s truck on rainy days, but it all worked out in the end. Courtney‘s pets were definitely, a highlight of the trip, but Pyxie the cat, and Mona the dog have since sadly passed away. Pyxie was the sweetest, and she even slept on my bed some nights. While Mona has had somewhat of a strained relationship with my family, we came to an understanding while I was staying in her house, and I’m sad to see her go because I know how much she meant to Courtney. Despite some ups and downs, I will always remember my times there fondly and I’m glad I went!"

Cadie had quite an adventure in Hawaii with Courtney this summer! I was so proud of her for getting outside of her comfort zone. She came home a few days early, but that probably worked out for the best because Mona passed away the Thursday after Cadie got home. Mona was with Courtney a long, long time and I know the loss was probably pretty hard for her. 

3rd Annual Baylor Roomie Reunion

 I am so proud of us for making this happen for the 3rd summer! All 4 of us were there and as much of our family as we could collect. Jenny, Sophie and Sully drove from Tennessee. Brooke came from Southlake. Anna, Solomon, Asa, and Grace came from Temple. And Grant, Colton and I represented the Walsh clan. We had such a wonderful time. The weather was beautiful, the kids all got along great, and we just stayed at the farm enjoying time together.

The kids really had fun with the chickens, fishing, at the shooting range, and go-karts (always).

Colton - Sky Ranch Session 3

Colton was in a Cabin 19, Tuskegee, this year with Thomas Jacob, Philipp Kormilitsin, and Parker Walsh. This was the first time Colton went to session 3 and it was shifted so he could be with Thomas who had plans last week.

"Humble Leader: Colton, We are so grateful that you were in Tuskegee this week! Your were such a light to our cabin and someone who was super nice and friendly to others. You displayed humility in how you acted; you never asked for praise but instead answered questions diligently and cared for people like Parker! You are super wise and well-versed in the Gospel, I'm excited to see how the Lord continues to use you as you grow in Him. Keep leading in Humility! 1 Peter 3:8"

His counselors were Matthew Kim, Trevor Noon, Maddox Reinke, and Phillip Turner. Colton said they were all really nice. Maddox lives near us on Milton and is life guarding for the second half of the summer at the UP pool and Colton hopes to see him there.

Because Grant and I were in Jamaica this past week, Big John dropped off Colton on Sunday afternoon and picked him up on Saturday morning. We got back home on Saturday evening so it all worked out well and we were very thankful for the help.

From Colton, "Mattress (aka Matthew) was my fav counselor, we had a lot of fun together the main game us four played was gaga ball, through out the week parker was kind of annoying."

Jack Ranger - Sky Quest, Cabin 37 The Bridge

Matt Killingsworth snagged Ranger for his Bible study this week! So fun to have kids of someone I went to Baylor with, Mark Killingsworth, invest our kids. Ranger was not sure about going to Sky this year because he has only one night at home before he leaves for a month at Sanborn. But we are proud of him for still going and he reported that it was one of the best weeks he has had at Sky. Grant dropped him off last Sunday afternoon and me, Grant, and Big John picked him up this morning.

"Strong Will Award: Ranger! It has been an honor to have you in The Bridge. We have loved getting to know you and all the ways you've made camp more fun. Some thing we've noticed, and admired, is the way you stand firm in your faith regardless of what's happening around you. You are not influenced by the things of this world. For these reasons you will get the Strong Will award. You are such a stud, and we will miss you here at camp! Trust in God always! We love you. Matthew K., Hayden G., JR, Reese Trumbo"

Things he shared on the ride home. Last night they threw glow stick juice all around the cabin and they thought that was pretty cool. He ran out of clean clothes and was glad I had put a new Sky Ranch shirt in his care package. He really liked the driver of the banana boat because he went a big crazy and even dumped them all off and "flipped" the boat. There was a group of guys that were friends staying in his cabin but they accepted him into their group quickly and he thought they were really nice.