Return from Colorado

Hey there everyone. Well we made it back safe and sound. My intention was to post regularly about my trip, but it was so full and action packed that I never had time to post anything. I am so excited to go through my pictures. We went to the Rocky Mountain National Forest in Colorado, and went through the Yellowstone National Park on the way home. We were lucky enough to see, up close and personal, Elk, Black Bears, Bison, Deer, Marmot and chipmunks. One chipmunk even sat on my lap without any enticing. It was a very fun trip, and I can't wait to share some of the pictures from it with you.

Colorado Road Trip

I am on vacation with my kids and my friend Deborah right now. Originally we were taking a road trip down the Oregon coast to California to visit my family, but our plans changed the day before we were supposed to leave. Instead we took a long trip to Colorado to visit my sister, whom has 6 children, (5 of which are adopted). The adventure has begun. We stayed our first night in a Oregon at a Hot Lake RV campground, which was very nice. I could have lived without the mosquito's though. There was a nice warm swimming pool we got to go swimming in right before we went to bed. The kids loved sleeping in the tent. The next morning we drove to Twin Falls Idaho. I never knew there was such a beautiful canyon and waterfall there. It's considered the Niagara Falls of Idaho. It was amazing. We unfortunately weren't there at the key light hour to get those amazing photos, but the view was breathtaking none the less. It was definitely worth the stop. We decided to truck all the way through the next day to Colorado. Utah had amazing rock formations like I've never seen before and Wyoming was so vast... I only wish I had more time to stop and enjoy more of the scenery.

We're now in Fort Collins visiting the family. Enjoying the company of my sister, brother-in-law, and 6 nieces and nephews. We've been doing lots of swimming, and horseback riding, and today we'll be going hiking. I'll try to continue posting pictures if I can. We'll be heading back through Yellowstone National Park next Wednesday. I can't wait to see it.

Camp to Belong Still in Need of Funding

I just got off the phone with April VanGesen, the camp coordinator for the Camp to Belong here in Washington, and she let me know that there is a desperate need of funding to get this camp off the ground. She has forwarded this letter which includes a list of items that they are still in need of to really make this camp work. So if you feel like you would like to help, you may send the money or gift cards, or whatever else you may have to donate to me or her at the address below.

I want to send out a VERY special THANK YOU to the people whom have sent money to help with the portraits. I have nearly reached the $500.00 already, and plan of giving any extra over to Camp to Belong to help make all of the wonderful events they have planned work...


Camp Members:
Australia
California ♥ Canada
♥ Georgia ♥Maine
♥ Massachusetts ♥ Nevada
♥ Oregon ♥ Washington
Washington DC ♥
Camp To Belong Northwest
April VanGesen ● Deb Kennedy
Co-Directors CTB Washington

Foster Family Connections
5457 E Blaisdell lane
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360.286.3992




Help us launch Camp To Belong Washington!


Camp To Belong Summer Camps were created to reunite siblings separated in foster care and other out of home care. Our unique programs reunite brothers and sisters in a safe, neutral, week-long camp environment to create childhood memories together that they would not have otherwise due to living in separate homes. Each Summer Camp provides intentional programming designed to strengthen sibling connection through our Signature Programs, including Art Activities, Sibling Enhancement, Life Seminar, and the Birthday Party Event.
Since 2001, Camp To Belong Northwest has reunited over 400 siblings from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In 2008, we had an overwhelming response for camper spots, receiving 300 referrals, three times the amount of camper spots we had available. With only one camp serving the Northwest, we had to turn away many deserving brothers and sisters. It is due to this increasing need and response that in 2009 we launched Camp To Belong Washington and will be hosting our first summer camp at Miracle Ranch on the Kitsap Peninsula from August 24th – 29th.

Help us make this a camp to remember!


To accomplish our mission and to successfully host the Camp To Belong Washington Summer Camp, we need your help! We are still raising funds and as non-profit, we rely solely on donations from individuals, local businesses, corporations and grants. Donations of items and services are greatly needed as well. We are a dedicated group of individuals that volunteer our time and work year round to raise the funds needed to provide this experience for these disadvantaged youth. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the campers!

Camp To Belong Washington is a member camp directed by Friends of Foster Family Connections of Port Orchard, WA; with full rights and privilege to replicate the national Camp To Belong Program. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes the Oregon Foster Parent Association/Camp To Belong Northwest / Washington Tax Id # 91-1803863 as exempt under section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Camp To Belong is also classified as a public charity under sections 509(a) (1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.













Camp To Belong Washington currently needs:


We still need to raise $6,000 to cover camp costs. (12 campers)


Sponsor for Rodeo Night – $1,000 (this is the cost for the actual rodeo)


Sponsor for Rock N Roll night - $500 (Cost of the band plus tie Dye shirts)


1. Grocery Store Gift Cards: To cover snacks for Rock N Roll night and Rodeo/ Carnival Night.

2. Walmart, Target & Fred Meyer Gift cards: To cover camper incidentals (forgotten kid items), Film developing of disposable cameras to make memory books, Nurse station supplies, first Aid Kits.

3. JoAnne & Michaels Gift Cards: Arts & craft projects.

4. Fast Food Gift Cards: Campers are coming from across the entire state of Washington plus abroad. This would help subsidize lunch while traveling to or from camp.



Please send all donations to:

Friends of Foster Family Connections
5457 E Blaisdell Lane
Port Orchard, WA 98366



Again, every dollar we raise and every item donated goes directly to support the camp program activities and campers scholarships.



We appreciate the opportunity to share our journey and submit this request for support for the 2009 camp season as we launch the first ever Camp To Belong Washington. We hope that you will choose to join us in this endeavor by contributing and we look forward to hearing from you for our 2009 camp season.

Sincerely,


Camp To Belong Washington Dedicated Volunteers

April VanGesen & Deb Kennedy
CTB NW Washington Co-Directors (360) 286-3992

Jack and Molly

Here's a little sneak peek of the session I photographed this morning. See you in the morning Amy. Can't wait to show them all to you.

Anna

Help Seperated Foster Children Recieve Group Portraits.

Dear Loyal Friends and Customer

I am writing to tell you about a wonderful opportunity that I have been given. This summer, I have been given the opportunity to photograph some wonderful Foster children. Camp to Belong, www.camptobelong.org is an organization that brings together sibling groups that have been separated thru the foster system, reuniting them for a week of fun and fellowship during the summer. There will be 75 children that will be reunited at this summer camp.

I am volunteering my time and talents to photograph these children during the camp, and to photograph the sibling groups together. Unfortunately, because this is a non profit organization putting this camp on, the funding is low, leaving no money to pay for prints for these children to take home. My desire is to be able to give each child a nice portrait package, with their siblings as a gift to remember their time together. As you can understand these portraits will be priceless to these kids.

I am writing to ask for donations. If you feel like you can spare even a little to help pay for portraits for these kids it would be very much appreciated. My goal is to earn a minimum of $500.00 which would provide each child a nice package. If there is enough donated, I will also be able to give a d.v.d slide show to each child of the events that took place at the camp. I have no intentions of making any profits at all from this event. My photo lab has agreed to print the pictures at %50 off. So if you feel lead to donate, you may send a check to me to 653 S.E. Lakeway Blvd. Port Orchard, WA. 98367.

Thank you,

Anna Wessel
653 S. E. Lakeway Blvd.
Port Orchard, WA. 98367

Reflections Photography
(360) 874-1828

Happy Independence Day

I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July Celebration. What a beautiful one it was this year. I love photographing fireworks. It's a challenge, and it's so fulfilling when you get a great shot. This year though I only photographed the ones that we put off ourselves. I really wanted to just be able to watch the big show and relax this time. It was so nice. The weather was awesome. I wore shorts and a T-shirt the entire evening.

We celebrated with our friends the Pashke's and their family this year. We ate, played Frisbee on the lawn and set off bundles of firecrackers with the kiddos. Then once it got dark we all piled into our cars and drove down to the Port Orchard Water Front where they put on the annual firework show over the water. It was a perfect way to celebrate the Independence of our country. My only regret was that I didn't take a picture of my strawberry, blueberry and cool whip flag decorated angel food cake that I made for the party. It looked like an American flag and it was a big hit. Once the first slice was cut into, it was gone within 5 minutes. Yummy...

Here are a few fun pictures I took of the kids playing with sparklers and such...

By the way, the best light show that I saw last night was put on by God... The sunset was remarkable, and the full moon was pretty impressive too. Never try to out-do God. He's got the upper hand when it comes to putting on a good show. Well enjoy your summer. I'll be getting back to you all soon.

Cute Little Rolls

Jacob... cute little rolls is the best way to describe this adorable little 10 month old. He's all smiles, big beautiful green eyes, and lots of chubby little rolls. We had fun taking some pictures outdoors. We snuck onto a golf course for a nice backdrop, and some indoors where we could get him in some fun studio portraits.

There were tons of cute ones to show, but I don't want so spoil the surprise , so you only get a sneak at a few. Enjoy...