Labor Day Weekend Part 2

This was our second year at the Civil War re-enactment at Fort Stevens near Astoria, OR. We were there from opening 'till closing taking it all in.

We met this family at our campground. Here they are with their granddaughter. Their grown children were raised "in the Civil War" and have their own camps right beside them.

He taught us a lot. Here are his homemade clothes hangers.

It was real special that he went in his tent and got out his rifles (I wish I could explain them better but I don't know much about guns). They were very heavy. He let the boys handle them and everything.

The battle. We went to 2 battles, this was the first one.

Would you believe Mary slept through most of this!

Some of the camps.

Part of the fashion show.

Labor Day Weekend Trip

Here we are scavenging along the beach. We went to the beach 3 times, but I only got the camera out for this. Plus I thought it'd be better to post with our clothes on ;) (instead of swimsuits...)

Bumper cars in Seaside. We had such a blast together. After this I, Paul agreed to go on the Tilt a Whirl with me, since noone else would. We all learned, in just those few moments, that Paul and I can be 2 very different people...

Back at camp, kickin' it 'round the campfire.

I'm thanking the good Lord for family and good times.

I'll Fight

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight;
while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight;
while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight;
while there is a drunkard left,
while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
while there remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!
(William Booth)

These are the BEST (busiest too!) days of our lives...

Although at times I feel I could rip my hair out (or someone elses ha!ha!), although I feel crazy busy and go 150mph from dawn well into the night, although I can feel overwhelmed and long for simplicity, although at times I can be weary and discontent, I know that one day I will look back and know that these are the BEST days (years) of my life....I have a darling husbad, a full house, an active ministry, all of mine and Paul's dearest relatives are living and vibrant, we have our health, and so much more to be grateful for I couldn't even list them all.

Our big boy- David started 5th grade! on Tuesday.

Elijah started 2nd grade!!

They were up at the crack of dawn full of excitement for the new school year.
We visited the school the day before to roam around the freshly painted and newly decorated hallways. Their particular teachers happened to be there so we visited with them a little and checked out the class lists and seating arrangements.



Ann's face is healing up just fine. When the stitches dissolve I will start slathering it with Mederma hoping she will have a minimal scar.

Missing those summer days and summer corn already....

Our 3 ladies before church a couple weeks ago.

Our littlest lady. She is such a joy!







To the world our children are just another bunch of kids,

but to us.... they are the world!

Thanking you Lord for giving me the best days of my life......

some StayCation pics

at the Zoo

Hannah jumped right in to feed the birds.

Hannah swinging like a Chimpanzee

Elijah, Ann and David walking like a Chimpanzee.

Daddy and Mary on the Zoo train.

Elijah and Hannah on the Zoo train.

David and Ann on the Zoo train.

Zoo meets Zoo.

The HAIR Kiask (at the Tigard Mall) asked if they could do Ann up.

Sure, why not??

Pageant pose!

There was a really neat play area for little kids. Even the floor was soft and squishy.

Precious Mary

the only LEGO store in Oregon. What an adventure!

Here the kids are against a WALL of legos.