A Writing Marathon

This November some of the kids signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month-- when writers all around the world write 50,000 word novels in 30 days). 

 Emma made a 'Happy NaNoWriMo' sign for the first day of November, featuring many of the works-in-progress.

Betsy surprised the crazy authors with delicious snacks and what has been dubbed 'NaNo-tea'!

The writers set up desks and set to work.

Welcome to the deep, dark, writer's cave...enter at your own risk. ;)

Paul and Anna are doing the full-out NaNoWriMo and have been chipping away at their 50,000 word goal. 

The younger girls signed up for the NaNo branch called 'Young Writers Program' where they can set their own word goals, and have been doing fantastically! 

BB's novel is titled "The Candy Shop Kids' and is so adorable! We can't wait to read it!

Word counts for Day 1... you know you're too short when the camera has to be tilted to avoid cutting off your brother's head. ;)

 A silly selfie with all but one of the writers, and their brainstorming buddy, Kate.

Working hard on that novel!

"Where there's a Willis there's a way!"

He DID IT!!!!

Church Picnic

Guess what we've been doing...

Helping put on a Church Picnic! 

 The schedule was packed and we had a fabulous time!

We entered him in the 5K race as number 0. <3

 Getting ready for the race at the hottest part of the day!

 Ready, set-

 GO!

The crowd waiting and watching for their return.

And here comes Tyler!

2nd place

 And 3rd!

After that there was lunch, games, and dessert judging.

At the sign up table we recruited three judges, and they highly enjoyed taste testing and scoring the tables of baked goods that families brought.

These were delicious!

 Yay! We have a winner! 

Talking, talking, and talking. : )

Foosball!

 A crowd of kids gathered around the table as tournament after tournament was played and shrieks of excitement could be heard when the games got fierce.



Badminton!


Wow! What's the weight limit?! Uh, oh!


Girls' turn!

Waiting in line for the trampoline.

Children's story time.

Making ice cream at the craft table.

Then hayrides around the neighborhood!


...complete with songs! This little man kept it up the whole way!

Apparently the wagon was too crowded 'cause these boys decided to climb into the truck bed and ride there. And show off how they could stretch their legs. : )

Neat shadows!

Betsy won first place in the Chili Cook Off and was awarded the "Best Chili" trophy! 

After a fellowship dinner of the many delicious chilis entered in the cook off there was a rowdy game of Badminton in which there were numerous trips up a tree to retrieve the 'birdie'.

Then to finish the day off everyone gathered around the fire pit and sang songs to the Lord.