A BUSY SUMMER II

We've made it to August now...



Our kids, along with their friends, the Christensen and McIntyre kids, spent a good part of the summer working on the play/musical, WE ARE UNITED, that Melanie's mom directed. It took place on "Henotes Island". A lot of hard work went into each rehearsel which ended with a great performance for friends and family.


The cast.

Two days later we all left for Sneedville, Tennessee for a mission trip through the Jubilee Project. We got to help a family that Andy and Amy's church, along with others, have adopted. The three day trip involved fixing up their home, bringing them new furnishings, and best of all, just getting to know the family. It was a wonderful experience for our family and we hope to go again.


Unloading the trailer we took to Sneedville...'MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK'.


The youth we took along worked hard when it was time to work and played hard when they got to play. They were amazing.


Hancock County, Tennessee...another beautiful place God led us to. We feel so priviledged and blessed.




Amy and Derrick in the living room 'before' fix-up.


Steve, Harold, and Randy surveying work to be done.


The older girls on the mission trip did makeovers for the beautiful daughters of our 'adopted' family. We all had a blast shopping and bonding and beautifying!
Afterwards I did a photo shoot of each daughter so we could hang family pictures when their house was finished.


Some of our mission team got to be part of a food give-away.




Working on the living room.


Playing basketball in the rain.


The girls all had a slumber party at the Jubilee Center with their new friends.


Even the guys got in on the facials!



Lunch break on our last day working at the house.


Some took a dip in the cool waters of Elrod Falls before we left to go home.





We left for Iowa, soon after returning from our mission trip, to see family and prepare for Brei and Daniel's wedding reception. They were married in June in Alaska (previous post).


Two of our grandchildren, Joseph and Willow (cousins).


I got to spend a day with Karla and Aaron. Karla and I had lunch with Phaedra at her school. We hung out together after school and went to the library.

When we are back in Iowa Gabe and Missy always bless us by letting us stay with them. They have their basement all set up for us and just leave it at the ready. We all have fun playing and working together. During this trip we got to help with a few home projects...yard makeover and bathroom update.


Grace and Maggie tearing up the old flooring.


Willow and Auntie Brei.


Making the wood splitting area.


On our way for a Dairy Queen break.

Brei and Daniels had a wonderful turnout for their reception...lots of family and friends. Daniel grilled meat and everyone brought a dish to share. A big thanks to Mark and Minda and Holly for all the help!


Brei, Daniel, and Holly.


Silly brothers:~)


Daniel


Karla's beautiful food creation.


Grace with her birth siblings.


Old friends, Steve and Billie.

While in Iowa we got to spend a little time with Ben and family....

Ben and Kaelyn.


Carter trying out his new bike.


The evening before we left Iowa we attended a pool party with Grace Community, Gabe and Missy's church.









We returned to Tennesse on August 27th to finish up our committments and spend the last of the summer with our friends there. I've blogged the month of August now and tomorrow is September 30th! I seem to always be a month behind. I'll catch up with September next week (hopefully). I have to mention that we are back in Iowa and will close on and move into our new home tomorrow. Check in next week for the complete story....Here's a picture of our new home near Williamsburg, IA.

A BUSY SUMMER

It's been a wonderful and full summer. We've had the priviledge and adventure of spending the summer with our long time and very dear friends, the Christensens, at their beautiful home and hobby farm in the hills of Tennessee. They also took care of our kids and pets while Steve, Moriah, and I went to Brei and Daniel's wedding in Alaska. We've also had the opportunity of helping our friends, Patric and Adrian, with some projects at their farm and getting to know them better. It's been a great summer and here are pictures of some of what we've been doing.


Amy took our kids, along with others from her church, on a mission trip to northeast Tennesse while we were in Alaska.


Some of the group on the mission trip taking a break at Elrod Falls. They got to hand out food and clothing to the needy while there. What a great opportunity for our children. Thanks Amy!


Sarah went to church camp. Here she is with her BFF Danielle.



We got to help Amy and Andy celebrate their anniversary.


All the guys worked together to finish the bonus room at Andy and Amy's.


The kids got to ride a float in Watertown's Red, White, and Wet parade for the 4th of July while helping campaign for Amy's Dad, Mark Pody, who's running for a political office.


We've had a good time supporting Mark at political rallies this summer wearing our 'red' shirts and the kids have been learning a lot too!


Patric and Adrian hosted a Fourth of July party at their horse farm. Here Moriah and Sarah are making Firecracker cookies in preparation.


The kids having fun in Winter's pond.


Adrian and Steve on lifeguard duty.


Amy and Patric doing food prep.


Time to eat! Eating under the canopy of trees in Adrian and Patric's back yard is cool even when there are record breaking temperatures!


The BFF's.


Lizzie with Patric's pet goat Simon.



The kids had set up horse equipment in the arena and had fun doing the obstacle course.


Moriah and Mercedez have had a lot of fun baking together.


The Christensen kids (our God children) and our kids get along very well and are awesome encouragers to each other. Here the younger girls are having one of their tea parties. Jump rope has also been a huge hit this summer no matter the temperature.


Amy decided to bless Maggie, Grace, Sarah, and I by straightening/relaxing their hair. I usually spend a whole day fixing each one's hair and swimming ruins it. We swim a lot, whether it's at the pond, or at the swimming pool at Andy's parents. Now the girls can do their hair themselves!!! Thank you, Amy, for having mercy on us!


Swim time!


Gabe, Missy, Forest, and Willow came down to see us!!!


It was a 'working' vacation for Gabe.


Auntie Moriah and Willow.


Another fun time at Patric and Adrian's....Missy and Forest.


Melanie and Willow.


Moriah's view of locust shells.


Amy & Andy, Gabe & Missy, and Steve & I all went out one evening and 'Grazed the Square' in Watertown....interpretation: Deep fried mushrooms at the Depot Restaurant, Mexican food on the other side of the square, then back to the depot for warm peach cobbler....yum.


Christensens' shared their horse, Hershey, for some horse back riding fun.


We all went to Cordell Hull lake....Amy and Michael.




Bathing Beauties!


A 'dream-come-true' for Forest (and Gabe too;~)


Patric has been teaching Spanish to the kids this summer.


Derrick and John painting the new room 'Mug Rootbeer'.


Michael helping Godfather at Winter's. (I know this pic is sideways...the computer won...but it was too cute to eliminate)


Every Monday night is 'Circle' night at Andy and Amy's where friends come over to share a meal and fellowship together. Here the big kids are playing one of the many games they enjoy.


And we thought Lexie wouldn't lick the platter clean!

This posting has gotten long and there's more summer to post...so until next time...