first annual ‘Campbell Capture the Flag’ night

Chris taught the boys how to play Capture the Flag a little while back. Since then my oldest has been dreaming of having a bunch of friends and their dads over to play an “epic” game. He and Chris planned. They mowed paths in our field. They drew out the course. They invited friends. And they decided this Labor Day weekend would be the first annual game…to be followed by many more in the years to come. My oldest said he is looking forward to the day that his friends can take on all the dads and win.  I told him to watch out….I think the moms could take them all.

Those that endured the heat and wore pants were thankful….they could get off the mowed paths for more covert attacks.

The little girls were going to watch…then they couldn’t help from joining in the game. (that is not my daughter on the far left, its her friend. They are a month apart in age….just in case someone was wondering when her hair grew and got curls!)

This summer I read Moment Maker by my friend Carlos Whittaker. We’ve only sat down for one meal together, but he and his wife have been such an encouragement to me for so long…I claim them as friends! Anyway, I shared this quote on Instagram and wanted to share it here:

“As you are creating moments, don’t take the process for granted.

Don’t let the moment happen without realizing that the intention that comes before the moment is what makes it all meaningful.”

The Capture the Flag night was a summer highlight for my son. He may not recognize it, but part of what made the night so great for him was all the time he spent with his dad planning and dreaming. It was the intention going into the night that made it meaningful for him…for us.

I talk a lot about how photography helps me see the little things that make up my days. When I look through my camera, I notice things that I miss otherwise. As I was snapping a photo of Carlos’ book for this post, I noticed someone added a doll among my deer. I left her there. She makes me smile now.