{"id":453,"date":"2013-08-14T20:31:37","date_gmt":"2013-08-15T04:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.bejangled.com\/?p=453"},"modified":"2013-08-14T20:31:37","modified_gmt":"2013-08-15T04:31:37","slug":"mivoden-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.bejangled.com\/?p=453","title":{"rendered":"Mivoden 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WP_20130807_050\"<\/a>The capstone to our fantastic summer occurred during our trip to Hayden Lake, Idaho for a week of Family Camp at Mivoden. \u00a0A gift from Steph’s folks from the previous Christmas, we had been anticipating, wondering, thinking, and planning about this trip for months.<\/p>\n

Before the trip began, we had no idea what to expect or how to prepare. \u00a0Frustratingly, numerous calls to Mivoden staff to get information went unanswered or unreturned. \u00a0Finally, the day before leaving, we talked to a real, upright, alive, adult human. \u00a0Ta-da! We were able to confirm rooms, discuss what we needed to bring and generally get a better sense of the plan (as well as an email regarding the week).<\/p>\n

So, the packing began. \u00a0Unlike our “real” camping trip, we didn’t have to pack food or tent supplies, so you’d think loading the car would be simple. But alas. \u00a0With the car finally packed, potty used, and a general sense of where we were going, we headed out. But Steph had to stop at the outlets to buy shoes, so that added an hour. \u00a0Then lunch. Then a potty stop (and we hadn’t even cleared Snoqualmie yet!). \u00a0Seven hours later we arrived. \u00a0Check-in was smooth, with cookies and water waiting for us. \u00a0Papa and Conna had already signed us for Orange Team (what’s that???). Giant bins attached to 4-wheelers delivered our belongings up to the cabin. \u00a0And so the adventure began.\"20130804_192324\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Our room was a “middle” room, normally used by camp counselors I think. \u00a0It had two twin-over-queen bunk beds, so could sleep 6. \u00a0Cole opted to sleep above us on the upper bunk in a sleeping bag. \u00a0Alex took a corner of the other queen bed. We set up beds and tried to put things away. Papa and Conna had the room next door, which had two sets of twin-over-twin beds. But..they also had a sink, and a small closet type area. Then it was off to dinner.<\/p>\n

Evening consists of dinner and Campfire. \u00a0Dinner is served in a dining hall with all campers eating together at the same time, with camp hosts dismissing tables individually to stand in line for food. \u00a0We eventually learned to get in early to get a table, then let the kids play with toys we’d bring to keep them occupied while we waited for our table to be called. \u00a0In this midst of this, team colors were called (in varying orders each night) to sign up for the following day’s activities. \u00a0After dinner it’s off to Campfire (which to Cole’s dismay does not actually include any fire), where worship songs and a brief message (by Karl Haffner!!) closed out the day.\u00a0We put kids down and went to bed.<\/p>\n

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Monday morning began bright and early (have you met our kids?!!) and work began immediately to keep them quiet and contained until breakfast was served at 8:15. After breakfast we headed to Camp Council (after finding out that no, it’s not a staff meeting, but rather it’s the morning’s version of Camp Fire. (It should be noted that when we had an opportunity to talk with the Camp Host we let him know we needed a glossary!). A goofy “news hour”, songs, and a bit of “Word” from Haffner and we were ready to start the day!<\/p>\n

First up, the zip line! It’s quite a hike up to the line, and when you get there…well, we all paused a moment hoping we wouldn’t die. \u00a0Anyway, we all (Todd, Steph, Cole, Papa, Conna) got hooked up. \u00a0Cole was quiet, nervously watching others go. \u00a0\"20130805_102629\"<\/a>To his credit he wasn’t “afraid” – just cautious and watching. Todd went first so that he could be at the other end when Cole got there. \u00a0Steph was a bit nervous, but Cole was fantastic and after his first round he was hooked!<\/p>\n

Repeated offers to Alex all resulted in “no” – so he was a no-go on day one. \u00a0After zip line, we headed down for lunch, naps, and rest. The kids played in the water in the afternoon. \u00a0Late afternoon had us scheduled to go WAY up the hill for a pony ride. \u00a0But, we missed the bus, so that waited for another day.<\/p>\n

Each evening had a “big event” to attend if you wanted. \u00a0Some we went to, other’s we didn’t. \u00a0One was the \u00a0Carnival. We ate shamburgers, then attended a “fair” where there was popcorn and ice cream, plus a wide variety of booths set up to play different games. \u00a0Digging for dinosaurs in sand, tossing water balloons, 3-legged races, etc. Steph and Papa had a really run on the water balloon, until Steph’s unfortunate throw soaked him. Another evening it was the Rodeo where we watched various horseback things. \u00a0Kids also got to do a 3-legged race and Cole insisted on joining. \u00a0After Todd finally got him attached to another kid, the race was on! They “ran” until they got to the end of the arena which was wet and Cole got stuck in the mud. \u00a0Eventually he was freed and all was well.<\/p>\n

The days all blur together now, but a few highlights include:<\/p>\n