Submit PHOTOS by 11/10

PHOTOS

Hopefully we got some good ones this year. We need your contributions!

We want to put together a cool slide show/presentation for church in near future ...

This is all part of a guerrilla marketing campaign which includes the tie dye shirts!

Please email photos to Mike & Tara BEFORE Nov. 10!

I suspect Mike "AKA Chad" will be organizing it. : ) 

Cannot wait to see them all together! Thanks! 

Tara

Group PHOTO - 2 dates!

We didn't get our usual group photo on Sunday morning before departure. :-(

Everyone flew like birds in wind, anxious to get home to a hot shower & warm bed! :-)

Since we have these terrific tie dye T-shirts, let's get a photo at church!

Everyone - wear your T-shirt to church on dates listed below.

We'll meet between services (9:30am) in BIG room. 

• Date 1 is Nov. 3

• Date 2 is Nov. 17

If you can, bring a camera (not phone one) in case Mike or Tara (it will be me!) forget.

We want to put together a cool slide show/presentation for church on Nov. 17.

This is all part of a guerrilla marketing campaign which includes the tie dye shirts!

Nov. 3 photo will be in slide show presentation on 11/17.

We'll add 11/17 photo to slide show later to be used in future publicity!

If you can come on both dates, awesome.

Please be present for 1 photo date so you're included! : )

Thanks!

Tara 

Surplus Funds decision - voice your opinion

We finished tallying 2013 expenses & we actually have a significant surplus - a first for us! : )

That means we have a decision to make.

1. Do we use it for 2015 deposit? 

Reason A: This allows us to contact MBSP in January 2014 when 2015 calendar opens & have a chance at choosing a date that we like.

Typically we contact park office in August & there are only 1-2 available dates. 

That is why we didn't go in 2012 - early August & late October were only dates left. 

Oct. 3-5, 2014 was only date available when I called on 8/9/13 - we had to pay deposit within 2 weeks or lose it.

Luckily you all are awesome & started paying as soon as I emailed group, but we kind of scramble each year which is no fun for Mike & I.

Reason B: It allows us to have funds available to offer scholarships next year (we were able to provide some this year).

Reason C: Another idea is lowering the 2014 registration fee. 

Actually this year we lowered 2011 fee from $25/$45 to $20/$40 per individual/couple for 2013.

2. Do we refund each individual/couple? 

I haven't crunched the numbers, but it would probably be about $5 per individual/couple.

Reason A: It is always nice to have extra money. 

Mike, you get to deal with that fun since you have the money. : ) 

Let us know your answers.

What do you want done with surplus money?

images of 2013 MBSP

49 people - 27 adults, 22 children (6 months-17 years old) + 12 dogs

- Friday night arrival - greeted by friends & dogs, ready to eat taco soup & rice crispy treats
-Saturday morning - early rise, sounds of children "whisper-talking," visit the lake dock, boat/trailer/truck stuck in water!
- all day children running, playing, shouting, laughing, riding bikes/scooters (yours or mine)
- yummy blueberry pancakes from from the griddle for Saturday breakfast
- EUMC camping t-shirts, rubber band design & colorful tie dyed creations in grass, adults helping children, children helping adults
- Mid-day lull ... hike? boat ride? nap?
- Afternoon snacks - perfect timing, fresh fruit, potato chips & dip - yummy! : )
- Visit from Pastor Kaye - what a nice surprise!
- Late afternoon crafts for kids, thanks to Katie
- Hanging out at picnic tables, playing Go Fish
- Spontaneous soccer game starts before dinner, mainly children with Marie & Katie, lots of running & energy ... running with the dogs, too!
- hot from grill - hot dogs or veggie burgers, you decide what will go with a glorious salad bar ... then ice cream!
- Evening campfire - flames crackling to roast marshmallows (gluten free, vegan options), add chocolate & graham crackers (GF ones too) ... S'MORES!!!!
- Rousing game of "Spoons" - not sure who is the "true" winner!?
- Another night early to bed - this time fast asleep until early morning lightning, thunder & downpour
- Sleepy greetings over Sunday breakfast, fond farewell as we pack up, clean out cabins, check with "favorite" park ranger & depart for home ... anticipating 2014!

2013 MBPS camping success!

WHAT A GREAT CAMPING WEEKEND!

If this was your first trip, hope you enjoyed yourself.

If this was your sixth year (started in 2007, missed 2012), hope you feel it gets better!

Thanks for everyone's solutions, especially to carpool & tie dye situations.

SO glad everyone got to MBSP! What a blessing the rain held off until Sunday though not as I requested for our drive back to Nashville! Also how wonderful was it to have Pastor Kaye visit on Saturday! : ) 

Post-survey coming soon - write down any feedback now & save it for survey.

1 idea is to eliminate COOKING for Sunday breakfast & just clean out the fridge.

We always have SO MUCH leftover food. No reason to spend more money & then have to carry it home. We'd still need an assigned meal group for set up & clean up.: )

T-shirts - don't they look FABULOUS?! Even more so with the tie dye designs!!! 

Washing instructions:

1. Rinse each shirt in cold water (individually) 

I don't know about anyone else's kid's shirts, but Julia's shirt had SO MUCH dye!

2. Remove rubber bands

3. Wash all shirts in HOTTEST water possible with small amount of detergent

4. Dry normally

Hopefully yours look as fantastic as ours. Let me know if you have any questions.

Picture opportunity

We didn't get our usual group photo on Sunday morning before departure. :-(

Everyone flew like birds in wind, anxious to get home to a hot shower & warm bed! :-)

Since we have these terrific T-shirts, let's get a photo at church!

Everyone to wear your T-shirt to church - we'll meet between services ... Date TBA.

Thank you for toilet paper contributions.

I kept the 2 hand soap dispensers from kitchen area. I will save them for 2014.

Thank you for filling the compost buckets. It really helps decrease trash.

Next year let's try not to use so many DISPOSABLE products - it's not necessary.

PHOTOS

Hopefully we got some good ones this year. We need your contributions!

We want to put together a cool slide show/presentation for church in near future ...

This is all part of a guerrilla marketing campaign which includes the tie dye shirts!

Please email them to BOTH of us (Mike & Tara) - though I suspect Mike AKA Chad will be organizing it. : ) 

2014 MBSP Camping Date ... Oct. 3-5, 2014!!!!  
MARK YOUR CALENDAR now!!!

Thanks again for making 2013 MBPS Camping experience a great success!

Peace & Love, Tara

Girlhood crush

On ride home on Sunday leaving Montgomery Bell State Park, we heard the following from back seat:
Julia: "I fell in love with Trenton ... but not really because adults fall in love and get married."

She giggles in glee with a HUGE smile (front teeth missing)!!!

Then she adds: "No, I just like Trenton."

Ahhh, so cute! All afternoon on Saturday, Julia followed & watched Trenton ride his bike & play soccer (he's really good ... when are his games? are they close to us??).

Later when I asked her about dinner, Julia said "I'm waiting for Trenton to chase me." I know what she meant, but in a different context, I guess I'd rather she is the "chasee", not the chaser. : )

T-shirt update

T-shirt situation - they arrived today & look FABULOUS! YEAH!!!!! 

I washed them. 

They looked pretty big when I initially looked at them, but shrunk after washing/drying.

Coffee situation

Someone asked an excellent question - Mike usually handles coffee as I'm not a drinker.
Hopefully have update tomorrow ... : )

10-2-13 UPDATE
Mike will take care of the coffee and will also buy half & half and bring some sugar. 
Now coffee drinkers will be good company as some of you have described. : )