We just got back from our second trip to Lighthouse Family Retreat. Our entire family LOVES going to serve there! We went this past September and our kids have asked every.single.day when we can go back! I LOVE that they love to serve there! It's a ministry that serves families that have a child that has childhood cancer. It gives the families a week to be away from the hospital and sickness and have a fun week together as a family. Some of the families don't know Jesus, either, which makes it a huge mission field! The best part, our kids don't even know which kids are sick and which ones are the siblings! I love to watch them interact with the other kids and get to know them throughout the week!
It was also the first time for Briggs to really play in the sand. He LOVED it! He also loved to eat it! YUCK! He was a great little baby while we were there. I'm always amazed at how easy our kids have been when it comes to traveling and sleeping and staying happy! (Bates did have two meltdowns there...one because he was afraid the sunscreen was going to hurt...the other because he was SUPER tired!)
Briggs spent a lot of the time in the backpack. He LOVED it and we could just set him down to eat and feed him in it!
First glimpse of the ocean!
Right when we got there!
Me and Briggs on our first day at the beach!!
Cass and the boys right when we go there!
Me and the boys :)
Caden loving the ocean!
Our view from the porch - It is beautiful there and truly relaxing for the families that are there!
Swimming during free time in the afternoon!
Calder helping Cass decorate for the Parents Night Out!
Playing in the sand!
Caden was all about digging holes!
Cutie pie in the backpack :)
I love his smile!
He LOVED the beach!
Eating a donut for a snack BEFORE breakfast with the families and volunteers :) One of the guys at the house we were staying in would bring extra donuts to the kids in our house every morning before breakfast!
Morning watch after breakfast!
Bates and his friend Ellie (she was one of the retreat kids). He asked her to sit with him. Love that, even at age 3, the kids connect with each other during Flip Flop every morning!
Briggs playing during flip flop time!
Love those curls! She is beautiful!
Practicing for the talent show! They sat in the boat during Row Row Row your Boat!
Looking good!
Nap time! He was wiped out!
Love this of them!
Night cap! Where all of the volunteers come together at the end of the day for worship and time to talk about the day and get directions for the next day!
Bates and Calder fell asleep on Cass during night cap two nights!
Precious! Serving makes you tired :)
We took his walker and he was all over the house!
Free time swimming with the families and volunteers!
Lunch time (view from my porch)
Spent some time praying for the families one afternoon while the little two napped :)
We got away during free time one afternoon and took the boys to get a treat. Mimi and Poppy gave them treat money for the trip. Caden has LOVED this chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick since he was a baby. You can only get it at the chocolate store at the outlets in Sandestin (at least we have never seen it anywhere else). That was what he chose!
It's all over his face!
The little three got ice cream from Blue Mountain Creamery!
LOVE this pic of Bates!
Cass and Briggs waiting on the ice cream :)
Superman ice cream!
Calder wanted cotton candy!
and Briggs (and Cass) got Caramel Cookie Monster something! It was delicious!
Playing with Mommy on the beach!
And snuggling, too!
He could live on the beach! He dug, and dug and dug!!!
Obviously, Briggs didn't want to leave the beach!
Setting up for the talent show!!!
Bates was in trouble and this is how he came over to talk to Cass about it...we couldn't stop laughing :)
Practicing for the talent show...his group all had different instruments!
In line for dinner :)
This little girl did the whole song/dance to Frozen! She knew every single motion! She's 3 and it was precious!
Briggs didn't make it through the talent show!
Families and their family partners each circled up to pray and send off their hope lanterns into the sky! It was beautiful!!!
Saying "See ya later!" because nobody say goodbye at Lighthouse!
Gathering to head out on the last morning!
The whole crew! Volunteers and families.
I can't think of a better way to spend a week as a family! It's an incredible opportunity if you have been looking for a mission trip that your entire family can go to! Check it out...www.lighthousefamilyretreat.org
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