Sunday, August 30, 2009

Church Picnic 2009

This past weekend we had our first (to-be-annual, I believe.) Church Picnic! It consisted of Providence Church, a Church in Elk Grove, IL, a Church in Harvard, IL and a Church in Troy, MO.

We had an incredible and extremely blessed time catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, enjoying games and activities, laughing, singing, talking...you name it! :) It was an absolutely and completely wonderful time.

I wish pictures and words could properly capture the day so that I might share it with y'all...but unfortunately, that is impossible. So my meager captions and photos taken by several different wonderful photographers throughout the day will have to suffice. Enjoy!!





Mr. Candler and Hannah in the 3 legged race. er...something is just not quite saying "three-legged race" to me. ;D I think that the significant height difference created a slight problem. ;)


Dad and Emma! They walked most of the way, which would explain why Emma is still standing!


Mr. and Mrs. Erber doing a fabulous job there! :)

Rebecca and Ben Serven working together!!


Beth and Jonathan Ten Dolle doing the three-legged race!! :)

David and Jeremy...uh...having a fairly good time, I think. :)

Ashton and Grace. :)



Becca doing very well at the egg race!


The two redheads who did not do any of the relays. *shakes head* Shame on y'all! ;)


The most embarrassing relay of all. Who invents these games anyway? ;)



Dad doing the baseball bat challenge!! He was so dizzy!



"Can't the paparazzi at least leave us be while we eat? For crying out loud!"
Or
DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS! ALERT.

Your choice. ;)

The Hymn Sing part of the day began!

The younger one's did a beautiful psalm! (William sang a solo. Y'all might say I'm biased, but I'll say it anyway: He. Was. Adorable. ;))



Elita and Hannah Candler presented us with a special song!



Some of us young people doing "It is Well With My Soul".

A boffer war is taking place at one end of the park...



And a baseball game on the other end!!



Let's go, Deacon! Let's go!


The "Harvard" team. :)



The Harvard team's cheerleaders! :)
They did an an amazing job with their cheering!! Though we beat them (*grin*) they were still enthusiastic and wonderful. And they *did* start the ingenious stomping...



The Morton team's Cheerleaders!
And did we yell/scream/stand/stomp/wave our arms about wildly! :D
I.LOVE.BASEBALL.
:-)



Mr. Sanford goes for the ball!



Mr. Erber hits the ball!



Aaron gets ready to bat...



And John Creath gets ready to run...



Ethan's up to bat...


And Aaron makes it home!


Both teams decide that even though Harvard beat Morton by ONE point, they will still be friends. ;)



Handing out the awards! The Candler family won 1st place in every relay!!


One of my bestest friends turned 19 this past weekend!! Happy Birthday, Meli!!



Because we're happy to be alive and so thankful to be so blessed! :)