Well, we've been (well I've been) lax in posting for the last few months. We did stay busy though, just not with "exciting new things". I really should find pictures of the Women's Retreat in October because it was a great time. I led some pontoon boat rides around the lake (had over 75 people total) and had a wonderful time. One lady actually said she skipped back to her cabin!
The Gathering Place Officially opened tonight for worship. It isn't totally done but getting there. It is great to have a place to gather! Steve is working on getting some pictures that were taken so they can be posted.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will be writing a letter to update everyone in January. (Sorry, we're not big on the Christmas Card sending...a lot of work for a quick read and toss in most cases).
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
A great Sunday...
Well, we haven't posted much since last month, but life has been busy! Plenty more family camps coming and going. Finally last Sunday, we got to have a family day and a good day it was...it was baptism Sunday! Our church does a baptism once a year at Crescent Lake Bible camp on Crescent Lake. Both Steve and Sammie got baptized. It was a cold day in the northwoods, but enjoyable. Enjoy the pictures! I'll be back in a few days to post pictures of our fun at the waterfront today during the last Family Camp of the year.
Sammie and Kyle staying warm before the service:
Sammie making a face for the camera before the service started:
Sarah Hall giving her testimony:
Waiting for the last person to get changed:
Sammie was the first one to go (there's an advantage to being the youngest!):
A happy girl - she waded straight to Daddy for a big hug:
Steve's turn:
Don't worry, Pastor Darrell does get him back up:
Sammie and Kyle staying warm before the service:
Sammie making a face for the camera before the service started:
Sarah Hall giving her testimony:
Waiting for the last person to get changed:
Sammie was the first one to go (there's an advantage to being the youngest!):
A happy girl - she waded straight to Daddy for a big hug:
Steve's turn:
Don't worry, Pastor Darrell does get him back up:
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Ah, where to begin...
While Steve was toiling away at Fort through family camps and kids camps, the rest of us took off. First it was off to Racine to drop off the kids by Grandma Grant.
A little time swimming in the pool:
Then I took off to Chicago for a conference and some training while the kids spent a few days with Jim & Karin and kids. I then came back and spent time with the Sieferts (well the kids more than me...) I was too busy attending a SURPRISE bridal shower for my cousin - she was surprised - wish I had a picture of that face!
We attended the Racine Municipal Band Concert at the zoo. It's hard to believe it was over 15 years ago when I first played with them!
Monday was spent around town. Everything in the city is an adventure to my kids. It was funny to realize how much they don't experience living up here! In the same sense, it was great to realize that too! Also, up here they get to learn things about nature that I'm just learning along with them!
Here was a visit to the park where we took my brother's dog to play:
...and Sammie got to visit Darian whom she hadn't seen in years... (The daughter of my best friend growing up.)
The ride home was warm so Sammie (who has been growing her hair for over a year for Locks of Love) boldly announced, "I want my hair cut short today, ready or not!" We stopped on the way home and it WAS long enough - YEAH! That meant a free haircut and hair sent off to help someone - what she had been planning on doing this past year.
Before:
After (what a cutie!):
Well, after the haircut, we had First Responder training and then right back into work and other activities.
Now, last night was a new adventure...
We bought our house 7 years ago. One spot in our yard was just slightly higher than the rest so one summer Steve dug to even it out...and dug...and dug...
You see, he discovered some tires there. So, tonight we paid for use of a backhoe and Jim and Ryan came over to help. After some time and MUCH digging, we have 120-130 tires stacked in our yard! YIKES! Before our house/basement were built on the property, there was a trailer there. We believe that owner had built a storm shelter out of these tires. Steve found parts that hint to a heater, generator, light and other things. When the house was built, they must have just filled in the hole and buried the shelter. Since we don't have money to spend on fill, we are going to put a little pond there now. (We have all the parts for that.) ...and let me add tire disposal is $3.00 a tire. Sigh... Does anyone need a tire swing?
Well, the good news is our plants are actually growing and the kids are having fun.
Here is Sammie's latest catch - a frog! (Don't worry, she let him go later!)
Well, there is a lot to do before registration tomorrow so we've got to run!
A little time swimming in the pool:
Then I took off to Chicago for a conference and some training while the kids spent a few days with Jim & Karin and kids. I then came back and spent time with the Sieferts (well the kids more than me...) I was too busy attending a SURPRISE bridal shower for my cousin - she was surprised - wish I had a picture of that face!
We attended the Racine Municipal Band Concert at the zoo. It's hard to believe it was over 15 years ago when I first played with them!
Monday was spent around town. Everything in the city is an adventure to my kids. It was funny to realize how much they don't experience living up here! In the same sense, it was great to realize that too! Also, up here they get to learn things about nature that I'm just learning along with them!
Here was a visit to the park where we took my brother's dog to play:
...and Sammie got to visit Darian whom she hadn't seen in years... (The daughter of my best friend growing up.)
The ride home was warm so Sammie (who has been growing her hair for over a year for Locks of Love) boldly announced, "I want my hair cut short today, ready or not!" We stopped on the way home and it WAS long enough - YEAH! That meant a free haircut and hair sent off to help someone - what she had been planning on doing this past year.
Before:
After (what a cutie!):
Well, after the haircut, we had First Responder training and then right back into work and other activities.
Now, last night was a new adventure...
We bought our house 7 years ago. One spot in our yard was just slightly higher than the rest so one summer Steve dug to even it out...and dug...and dug...
You see, he discovered some tires there. So, tonight we paid for use of a backhoe and Jim and Ryan came over to help. After some time and MUCH digging, we have 120-130 tires stacked in our yard! YIKES! Before our house/basement were built on the property, there was a trailer there. We believe that owner had built a storm shelter out of these tires. Steve found parts that hint to a heater, generator, light and other things. When the house was built, they must have just filled in the hole and buried the shelter. Since we don't have money to spend on fill, we are going to put a little pond there now. (We have all the parts for that.) ...and let me add tire disposal is $3.00 a tire. Sigh... Does anyone need a tire swing?
Well, the good news is our plants are actually growing and the kids are having fun.
Here is Sammie's latest catch - a frog! (Don't worry, she let him go later!)
Well, there is a lot to do before registration tomorrow so we've got to run!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Two Bears
So, today was Day #2 of camp for the year! There are about 150 Jr. High students that have invaded camp for the week!
After church and town, we packed up, attached the dogs to the bicycle joggers (don't have a picture but it is two metal arms attached to the bike that the dogs hook onto). Then the kids hopped in the kids trailer attached to the back and we headed off to camp for the 3 mile bike ride.
As soon as we got there, the dogs needed to cool off!
It didn't take the kids long to join in! Sammie wanted to take a "swim test" like the kids and she passed the "Intermediate" test. Of course Mom isn't ready to leave her in water over her head without someone watching closely!
Kyle joined our head lifeguard Stephanie in the water.
Sammie then thought it would be fun to ride on Maverick:
After all that exercise, they all needed rest, but Sinjin sat on guard!
The Jr. Highers gathered around the flagpole for dinner...
Steve and Ryan and a few others grilled the chicken...
So, now you're wondering where the two bears come into the day. Although there are an abundance of black bears in the area lately, we didn't see any today.
However, as the kids stayed at camp with Dad, I rode the bike back home with the dogs. More than one person stopped to see if I was o.k.! You see, Maverick has lupus and his paw started acting up on the way home (pads get tender). As we stopped and rested, people would see us from a distance and thought I had two black bears attacking me. Then they would get closer and realize it was just two dogs.
This is not the first time that has happened, but it was still pretty funny!
Well, now we all need a good night's sleep to get ready for the rest of the week!
After church and town, we packed up, attached the dogs to the bicycle joggers (don't have a picture but it is two metal arms attached to the bike that the dogs hook onto). Then the kids hopped in the kids trailer attached to the back and we headed off to camp for the 3 mile bike ride.
As soon as we got there, the dogs needed to cool off!
It didn't take the kids long to join in! Sammie wanted to take a "swim test" like the kids and she passed the "Intermediate" test. Of course Mom isn't ready to leave her in water over her head without someone watching closely!
Kyle joined our head lifeguard Stephanie in the water.
Sammie then thought it would be fun to ride on Maverick:
After all that exercise, they all needed rest, but Sinjin sat on guard!
The Jr. Highers gathered around the flagpole for dinner...
Steve and Ryan and a few others grilled the chicken...
So, now you're wondering where the two bears come into the day. Although there are an abundance of black bears in the area lately, we didn't see any today.
However, as the kids stayed at camp with Dad, I rode the bike back home with the dogs. More than one person stopped to see if I was o.k.! You see, Maverick has lupus and his paw started acting up on the way home (pads get tender). As we stopped and rested, people would see us from a distance and thought I had two black bears attacking me. Then they would get closer and realize it was just two dogs.
This is not the first time that has happened, but it was still pretty funny!
Well, now we all need a good night's sleep to get ready for the rest of the week!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A little fun...
Well, tonight we had the lifeguards over for dinner. Molly requested spaghetti and Peanut Butter Cup trifle so she got her wish. The kids had a blast and Sammie even made flowers and welcome signs for them. Kyle made each one a paper airplane.
Here is Stephanie our head guard for the year trying to show off those muscles:
Kevin was trying to be serious and watch a movie and can't figure out what Stephanie was really doing:
Here is Sammie and Kyle along with Molly, Craig and Stephanie (I don't know how Craig got lost in there - that's hard to do!):
The guards were all nice enough to stay a little late so Steve and I could run off to a medical call.
The only disappointment? I have more leftovers than normal...I guess we haven't worked them hard enough yet. That comes starting Saturday! Camp begins!!!!
Here is Stephanie our head guard for the year trying to show off those muscles:
Kevin was trying to be serious and watch a movie and can't figure out what Stephanie was really doing:
Here is Sammie and Kyle along with Molly, Craig and Stephanie (I don't know how Craig got lost in there - that's hard to do!):
The guards were all nice enough to stay a little late so Steve and I could run off to a medical call.
The only disappointment? I have more leftovers than normal...I guess we haven't worked them hard enough yet. That comes starting Saturday! Camp begins!!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Squirrels and Bunnies and Backboards, Oh My!
Well, one of the joys of living in the northwoods, is that there is no lack of critters to see. We've gotten to see a fox run in front of us more than once this week, unfortunately not when a camera was handy. However, here are the critters the kids experience today and wanted pictures of:
A cute bunny of the normal wild type:
A squirrel eating some sunflower seeds the kids put out for the finches:
After our animal adventures, it was the night for First Responder training. The kids INSISTED on being patients. Here they are bandaged up a bit...
After all that, we all needed a rest!
A cute bunny of the normal wild type:
A squirrel eating some sunflower seeds the kids put out for the finches:
After our animal adventures, it was the night for First Responder training. The kids INSISTED on being patients. Here they are bandaged up a bit...
After all that, we all needed a rest!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Look Ma - no hands! (I mean training wheels)
So, we are now on day #3 in a row of no training wheels - for both kids! Kyle is just about too big for his toddler bike so I found him a "boy's bike" at Goodwill for about $5.00 - can't beat that! I figured it would also be good for Sammie to try without training wheels. We've tried a few times before but she'd get frustrated really fast and want her training wheels on. She's just finally getting to enjoy a bike at age 7 unlike Kyle who was already biking almost 2 miles at age 3!
Well, both tried and BOTH are getting the hang of it pretty well. Kyle was actually doing better than Sammie last night, but Sammie was catching up tonight.
Here are some pictures of tonight's efforts:
Safe! (It takes a few falls to get it right...)
Mastering the turn:
Got it down!
...and a special thanks to friends in MN who just sent me their old, but absolutely WONDERFUL digital camera so I can take pictures this summer!!!! Thank you!!!!
Well, both tried and BOTH are getting the hang of it pretty well. Kyle was actually doing better than Sammie last night, but Sammie was catching up tonight.
Here are some pictures of tonight's efforts:
Safe! (It takes a few falls to get it right...)
Mastering the turn:
Got it down!
...and a special thanks to friends in MN who just sent me their old, but absolutely WONDERFUL digital camera so I can take pictures this summer!!!! Thank you!!!!
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