Fall Retreat 2012

Our church's 4th annual Fall Retreat was this past weekend.  This is one event that I absolutely look forward to each year.  It is such an uplifting and edifying time to spend with our church family.  There were a total of 28 that went this year: the Mathews (including Lanny's parents), Butlers, Rays, Phillips, Newhouse, and us.

The first year we had our retreat up at Rod's grandparents house in Ringold, OK.  The last two years we have rented cabins in Broken Bow, OK.  The cabin that we normally book in Broken Bow was booked solid for the rest of the year so we had to research other options.  We found a place, Brookhaven Retreat, in Hawkins, TX.  The good think about Brookhaven is that it is specifically designed for church retreats, camps, meetings, etc.  There were so many different activities on the grounds for everyone to do AND they prepared all the meals for us.  While I have enjoyed shopping for and helping prepare the food in the past, it was SO NICE not to have to worry with any of that.  And the food at Brookhaven was pretty decent too.

Our group had the 10 bedroom lodge.  Each bedroom had one queen bed and a set of bunk beds.  So we could easily sleep 40 if needed.

Behind the lodge was a beautiful lake

There were several swings scattered through out the grounds

We also had a huge meeting room which had a nice deck built on.

Rod, Courtney, Avery and I got there early enough Friday afternoon to explore the grounds

We found a trail that led to a huge fire circle

There was an athletic field that had a rock climbing wall

One of the lodge rooms

The meeting room had a piano in it that was a hit with the kids

Friday night we had sandwiches, chips and a veggie tray for supper

After we ate, the kids wanted to play a game of hide in go seek.  These girls are extreme and put on their camouflage.

Thomas and Aubree

We had a singing Friday evening too

Jack and Avery :)

Jack led Jesus Loves Me.  He is so stinking cute!

More hide in go seek.  I think they played until midnight or later.

The girls decided sleep was more important than breakfast on Saturday morning

And so did Avery

Deidra and Lanny's mom

Rod and Avery

Saturday morning visiting

Love these ladies!

Mark and Chuck

Fishing time

Ryan is the only one that caught a fish that I know of

Silly girls

After fishing, the kids decided to play a game of soccer

Benton is so cute! And a funny little guy too :)

There was a fenced in area that we weren't sure what it was.  We decided to use it as a play pen for the little ones

These are some serious faces

After lunch, it was softball time.  And Courtney and Hailey were ready to coach.

Hanging out on the porch

Lanny and his parents, James and Karen

We found some time to decorate pumpkins.  

Thomas

Courtney

Avery

Jack

Autumn

Aubree

Mark joined in on the fun.  We found out he is quite the artist!

Butler

After the pumpkin painting, we went back to the lodge to rest a minute before supper.  Autumn read Courtney a story and put her to sleep.

After supper there was a game of football, but not before Amy mastered the rock climbing wall

The trip isn't complete until you have some smores.

Sunday morning breakfast

We had a service Sunday morning before we left

This was about 5 minutes after we left....

We stopped in Mt. Vernon for some Mexican food before we came home.

I love all these people so much!  It was an AWESOME weekend with GREAT friends and I am already looking forward to next year!!