A glutton for punishment...well, not really it was easy and fun!

So, the kids did so well skiing last night, I decided to take them again. At least my two. Well, we were about to get ready to leave when 3 other staff kids magically appeared...all wanting to go with too! So, we talked to parents to make sure it was o.k. with them too and let them know how long it usually takes us (so as to not worry them because we take about double the time of the adults trying to keep everyone together). We got boots, skis, and polls and zipped up all the jackets. Then we formed the line and started out!

It was about 10 degrees, lots of snow on the ground, so a great time to be out in nature!

Please forgive the quality of pictures, I did not have my camera with so we used a kid one which isn't made for nice pictures.

Here are 4 out of the 5:

(Amos - age 8 1/2, Sammie - age 7 1/2, Bridget - age 8, Kyle - age 5)

Our two kids:

(Kyle on the left, Sammie on the right)

Just a nice view of the snow covered trees:


Kyle checking in and wanting to open up his jacket a tad:


One of the "intersections" where Kyle likes me to show him on the map where we are:


Proof that they do fall:


All five in age order:

(Kyle - 5, Sammie - 7 1/2, Bridget - 8, Amos - 8 1/2, Lizzie - 9)

Kyle's downhill "form":


Naturally, Kyle got a little more photo time since he was closest to me.

The kids did a total of 2.2 miles again. None of the older ones needed help on any hills this round (up or down) or getting up ever. Kyle needed a little help on the steepest hill, but not too much!

It was great to see a lot of the Junior High students up this weekend skiing too.

We have Zionsville Fellowship from IN in this weekend and Westbrook. They seem to be having a great time so far!

Life is just a big ball of string...

I had started another blog last year which I intended to keep the "non-Fort" things on for our family. Although we can compartmentalize our roles in various situations when we encounter them, I realize our lives are just a big complex ball of string and everything touches, so I'm just going to post it all here!

Monday night was our First Responder Monthly Training and Skills Check-off. What is that? Well, a minimum of twice a year we have to have check-offs for the hospital to prove we are competent in our skills. This time it was: AED, combi-tube, CPR, long board, KED, and a peds board. Of course my kids are always willing volunteers to be strapped in a board (in training only of course) so they volunteered.

Sammie having C-spine held (I need to get her some longer shirts - yikes!):


Sammie being rolled in-line to be placed on the board (there is Ryan who is working at Fort for the year):


Sammie with a C-collar and all strapped in:

(I think this is the last year in that board for her - normally kids are too big by 5 or 6 but I have a 7 1/2 year old peanut).

Kyle after being rolled on the board (Steve is in the brown):


Kyle later while it was being demonstrated how to use a KED as a substitute for a child backboard:

He looks like he is enjoying being "injured". Wait until he gets old enough to understand the aches and pains!

We train each month/numerous times a year for various situations and when these are the conditions (dark, cold, late), we are glad we do.

(On scene of a recent accident).

Well, along with being First Responders/EMTs, Steve and I are also both Firefighters. Steve is our Department's Captain and Training Officer, I am a Lieutenant and Secretary and take care of the Health and Safety. I am currently going through State Certified Firefighter II Class which is more command structure, more advanced work on hose testing, fires, vehicle extrication, public education, etc. I took Certified I back in 2001-2002 so it was time for some more advanced training. I don't think I've ever had a picture in my fire gear, but a neighboring department caught me at training on January 7th. Look for the short person on the left with the red helmet, tan gear, tank and facepiece on ready to go in. That would be me...


If you can't find me, here is a closer view (I'm in the middle):


Here is the fire we were "fighting":


Luckily it was only about 5-10 degrees that night, and when it was -20 this last Wednesday, we got to be inside.

RBC is here!

Well sorry, no pictures today because I didn't take a camera into camp yesterday. I'll have to see if I can hunt down some of Fort's pictures.

However, all approximately 90 people from RBC arrived safely and seem to be having fun. It is great to see everyone from our home church and the kids are making us feel old. We remember most of them being born! Many our friends' kids instead of little brothers and sisters. Now we know how our parents feel!

Our adventure for the day was Sammie(7 1/2), Kyle(5), Lizzie(9), and Bridget(8) all coming skiing with me. We (my kids and I) have only ventured around the training loop and back the last 2 years. Well, we got brave yesterday and went on Hemlock. I am proud to say, 2.2 miles later, everyone was back safely. Kyle was such a trooper. He is about 1/2 the height of Lizzie and kept chugging. I did lose count of the falls, but they are getting better. Lizzie was good at heading up the line (I stayed in back to keep track of them all) and stopping to wait for everyone to catch up.

The session with RBC last night was very good. Tim Haumersen gave his testimony followed by Wayne Beilgard speaking. The kids seemed to be very attentive to his message. I hope they will have lots of great stories to bring home.

Well, time for us to head into camp for the session this a.m. Have a wonderful Sunday!

The New Gathering Place!!!!

Well, it's not totally finished, but the first session occurred in it on December 28, 2008, with Steve at the sound board. It is great to have a meeting area at camp and it looks so nice! Hopefully you can all see it in person sometime this year! Posted below are some pictures. The ones without people in them were taken by Becky Carpenter.











Don't know about that paper...he must have said something good...

A new season of camping!

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).

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:

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!