The Brown Brick Road

Greystone

Stephanie — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:14:00 +0000

Last week I picked Samantha up from 4.5 weeks at Greystone. This was her first time at Main camp and, wow, 4.5 weeks is a long time. I never really thought I’d send one of my kids away for that long but I could say with 100% certainty that it was the right decision. Greystone is a special place and Main Camp at Greystone is the specialist of the special. Samantha was more excited than nervous to go. She got homesick the appropriate amount but, as she said in one letter, I think I was more “favorite daughter sick” than she was homesick! I am so incredibly proud of this girl. I think she spread her sunshine all over camp!

Night before drop off in Greenville!

Drop off at Greystone! Off she goes to TL4 and the fun began!

Top bunk!

Greystone had a new photo policy this year and there were significantly fewer photos posted each day. I didn’t mind at the beginning because I was still getting plenty of pictures of Samantha. Then I went through a 6 day stretch with no photos at all and my “favorite daughter sickness” kicked in big time! I sure was happy to see any photo I got.

Lots more pictures of camp fun to come!

baseball

Stephanie — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:05:00 +0000

Last week the Spartan Baseball Club played a game “for fun” out at Rickwood Field. Was it fun to get to play at such a historic stadium? Yes. Would it have been more fun if it had not been in the middle of July when it was approximately 152 degrees outside? Yes. Poor Spencer was the only catcher on his team and he was such a trooper out there catching 7 innings. He then got hit by a ball on his first time up to bat. Not his favorite day. They did finally let him pitch which is all he wanted to do – but that wasn’t until the last inning after he had caught for 7. He killed it though and pitched great. Proud of him as always!

Catching…

Batting…

Pitching…

SBC at Rickwood Field…

Go Spartans!

Back together

Stephanie — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

The gang’s back together!! Nothing better.

and boy, oh boy have we been busy! Lots to come.

TGIF

Stephanie — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:20:00 +0000

Nothing makes me happier!

Happy Friday!

Pickup!

Stephanie — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Picking up this girl today!!!

Can’t wait to have her home.

beach baby

Stephanie — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Summer isn’t quite as fun when this beach baby isn’t home…

Ready to get her from camp!

summer

Stephanie — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:26:03 +0000

Long live summer!

To be honest, it’s really, really hot and they only lasted about 45 minutes out on the range but…at least they went!

Golf

Stephanie — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

This weekend Robert played in the GAM, a golf tournament at the club with his dogfight. It’s a really fun tournament and I’m glad he got to play after missing the last few years. The theme this year was circus/carnival/freakshow…yep. I’ll just leave this here…

The guys placed their bets over drinks on Thursday and the wives played pickleball….

I’m not giving up tennis anytime soon but it was fun. The guys then played 18 on Friday and we went up for a little party at the halfway house at the end of the day to watch the closest to the hole competition.

They played again on Saturday and then there was the big party that night. Some people always go all out with costumes! I suggested to the czar-ina on Thursday that they should get a face painter up there for Saturday. Well, she did and it was awesome! This cheetah loved her face paint!

Lots of costumes, lots of funny stuff!

Good times with good people!

Robert and his partner didn’t come close to winning…but he got to drink from the winner’s cup!

He’s a winner to me! Love this clown….

A fun, fun weekend!

TGIF

Stephanie — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:08:00 +0000

Smile – I need some pictures!

Happy Friday!

More Philmont

Stephanie — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:09:00 +0000

https://flic.kr/p/2soZqw2

https://flic.kr/p/2soZqwh

We only heard from Maxwell once about 7 or so days into the trek. He said everyone was making it fine and getting along. Can’t ask for more than that!

I think the last day of hiking was the longest and hardest – but they reached some cool peak and the views were worth it!

They stayed a night at base camp after the trek before traveling back to Denver to fly home.

They finally made it home about 9pm on July 4th! We had quite the welcoming crew waiting for them!

I am incredibly proud of every one of these boys. I hope they realize what an accomplishment this trek was.

I am continually grateful for Boy Scouts and the leadership, independence, responsibility, and – most importantly – friendships it has developed! Well done boys!