SonWest Roundup - VBS 2013!!

So the one thing responsible for the looooong gap in blogging in May and June and the delay in vacation pictures was VBS. :) While being children's ministry director takes a significant amount of time all year, the heaviest time is definitely spring/early summer when on top of regular things, we switch to the summer class/volunteer schedule AND host VBS. :) While it was a lot of work and exhausting, it was a great week and so much fun. We had an amazing team of youth and adults helping this year and I couldn't have asked for better. I am so thankful for the many veterans who help out (at least 3-4 who have run VBSes themselves in the past) as well as the new people I get to know each year. We had about 80 kids this year which is the max our building can host. 32 were from our church and the rest from the community. Our theme was a wild west them and I think it's been my favorite so far.
Grace and especially Evie weren't sure what to think of "VBS" at first. All Evie knew was that it was taking a lot of my time, resulted in additional meetings, and that all sorts of cool stuff kept arriving via UPS "for VBS" and not for her. :) They both had a blast though. Two of Evelyn's friends' moms were also helping out so the three 2-year olds had their own little class. Their class consisted of tagging along with the 4 year olds, playing, eating the extra snacks, etc. :) Nathan has a hilarious video from the closing ceremony of Evie up on the stage with everyone singing, but I think it's still on his phone because I can't find it right now. Here are a few pictures, mostly of my kids :), to give you a small taste of the fun week.
PS - all the decorations I take no credit for. I have two very artistic and amazing friends who did it all!
Prepping props and crafts...
My cowgirl and her friends...

Cowboys rounding up their cattle (part of one of the games for the older kids ;)) oh and this was "tacky" day - thus the wildly clashing outfit my daughter is wearing. ;)
Some light reading...

Hanging out with the 4s...

Some others...

Yeeehaawwwwwwwwwww!