Camp Sunshine 2009

Here is the Camp Sunshine update for 2009..

There are so many photos to choose from, plus some photos from before camp... well, it is to be expected... I can get trigger happy with the camera from time to time!!

In case anyone has forgotten from the previous post, we got to go blueberry picking in Maine... here are some of the potential victims...

Delicious!!
















Ok, so onto proper stuff!! We played some mini golf - big suprise! Jasper and Paul play, and I take the photos and keep score! Jasper won this game - with the highest score!!

















We went out one day to Portland, and went to the Children's Museum. It is very interactive and hands on. Jasper loved it, and here he is dressed as a fireman with the hose. there is a replica of a truck there that the kids can go in and sound the siren!














Back at home, Jasper has been getting into rollerskating.. we were looking to get some, and realised that Wal-Mart was super cheap, so we ordered him some. here are some shots of him on the skates for the first time at Doreens house...

The night before Camp started, we went to another FA family home for a BBQ. there were 5 FA families there, and TOO MANY kids to count!! no, wait there were 14 I think, plus 9 adults. It was not as crazy as it sounds - we were all on our best behaviour.

Here is Jasper with his new buddy, Wesley. Wesley and Jasper are the same age, and both have FA. I think I posted about this in the last entry... they are too cute together, and just as cheeky and funny as each other! Watch out ladies, 2 smooth talking cuties on the way!!

There is a State drink in Maine, and it is called Moxie. It tastes like Dr. Pepper - and totally gross. Jasper and Paul liked it!

Here is the gorgeous Wesley, and his equally gorgeous mom, Kristin.

Here is my delightful Doreen, and her man, Shawn.

Jasper and his American Girl, Jordan. Jordan has FA too, and is 11 years old. She is beautiful and sweet.

Here we have the FA kids from the BBQ at Kristin and Sean's house.

Back - Left to Right - Cameron, Wesley, Jordan, Jasper.

Front - Left to Right - Jorja, Julia (twins).

Here are Wes and Jas muck-arseing around not long before we left - that is Sean, Wesley's dad in the background.

First day of Camp.. we had a top story room, and once we got our suitcases in the room (with the wonderful help of some volunteers), Jasper was out the front blowing bubbles to people underneath us.

We went in search of Doreen's room, and found Wesley on our journey!! it was a lovely reunion from the night before!

Paul suprised us with a brick on the path. You can donate money to Camp Sunshine and get a brink laid on the path to be there for always. Paul got it done for Jasper's birthday, and it was a big suprise for us!

Now Jasper owns a part of Camp Sunshine forever!

There is always a balloon release ceremony where balloons get released to remember those that have passed, and to send up messages of hope. This is Jaspers balloon. It is a beautiful sight to see so many balloons released at the same time.

There is also a masquarade party one night where you get into a costume and dance the night away. Jasper always manages to get dressed up, but we never make it late into the night. the days are so jam-packed, that by the time 8pm comes, he is pretty much comatose! This was him at the start of the night.

One of the German fathers, Ralf and a German doctor - Eunike, come every year and Jasper gets his mouth swabbed for research - early detection of mouth cancer. We love to go, as Ralf always brings German chocolate for us as a bribe to be part of the study... no bribe needed, but Jasper loves the chocolate all the same... as do all the kids (and the parents!!!).

Eaxh family at Camp gerts a family portrait done, and we had the photographer take our shot with our camera also..

jasper practicing roller skating at Camp. he had a rollerskate date with Emily, a 17 year old who's brother has FA. Emily has called Jas her Australian boyfriend since they met 3 years ago... The first year, Jasper spent hiding from her, last year he spent poking his tounge out, and this year it was love!!

At the adults dinner - Kristin and Doreen... Love you ladies!!

Jas and I at the wish boat ceremony. The kids make a boat, and there is a little pond.. they have a candle that get lit, a string on the boat they hold onto it while it floats in the water, they make a wish and bring the boat back in - blow out the candle and the wish comes true!!

jasper wished that Jordan (Doreen's eldest girl, his American girlfriend) could be a part of our family. I nearly cried, it was so sweet!! he loves her so much!

Some fishermen came on their super cool boats to take the kids fishing.. here is Jasper with his mate Lucas coming back in. Jasper caught 2 little fish, got to drive the boat, and had an awesome time!~!

they have a celebration night, and here is a shot of the volunteers on stage - it was FULL!!

Jasper with his favourite volunteer, Matt.

...and smooching up to another volunteer, Hillary.

then I let Jasper take some photos... Here is Peter.. We met Peter our first year at Camp - 2007. he works in the kitchen. Jasper called him Peter Parker or Peter Pan.

He was not there last year, but we saw him this year on our first day, and he came straight up to jasper and started talking to him - it was so sweet he remembered us!!

Jasper shot of Peter, Andy and Joel, with another volunteer.

So, our flight leaves tonight USA time, and we land in about 27 hours in Perth.. I am not looking forward to the flight, but am looking forward to getting home.

Thanks for reading.

Love

Brooke