they're ba-ack

The boys are back from camp.  Last  year, the only complaints were the hills (we are flat-landers) and the food.  Cajuns take food seriously, and they were unimpressed with both the quantity and the quality of what was offered in the dining hall.  So....they took their burners and loaded the trailer with food, and cooked for themselves this year.  Sausage po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya, fried fish, chili.  No complaints at all this year!  Not even about the hills.

The sun was setting while we waited for them to arrive.

Finally the van and trailer pulled up, and they emerged from the van after a 13 hour ride.  They had all grown a few inches in the week that they were gone.

He looks like a happy camper, wouldn't you say?

15 in a couple of weeks, and he is just too cool for words!  He personalized his shirt a few weeks ago when we painted the parking lot at church.

The each took a camera and two whole pictures came home.  A slushie and a flower.  I'll have to see if they are blog-worthy!

And just for me - they brought.....

They each earned two "real" merit badges.  Little brother earned Lifesaving and Leatherwork and big brother earned Small-boat Sailing and Rowing.  They both took Water Sports (Water Skiing), but didn't quite finish it, and both took Personal Fitness, which is required for Eagle, but must be finished at home.   They also earned two "spoof" merit badges - Duct Tape Preparedness and Pirate Cultural Awareness.