Jaimie's Birthday

Last week was Jaimie's birthday. She wanted to wear her beautiful blue dress so the girls all gathered for a luncheon tea.

Jaimie loves animals, especially dogs.

Her gift from several of us was rather small in size. What fun is that? Don't you get really excited and curious when given a huge package? I still do. In keeping with our gift giving traditions, we wrapped this gift in two different packages inside this big box.
;-) Like to keep Jaimie guessing.

The girls were all so lovely.

They didn't plan it but Ahna and Haley were definitely color coordinated.

Happy Birthday Miss Jaimie

The Kittens

Thank you to our friends who gave us these fiesty kittens. Just so you can see how they are doing we took these pictures.

They came from different families, but have bonded with each other very well.

This little orange one (Opal) will not let the other one (Purrdeeta) out of her sight. When they get separated she meows until they find each other.

It is so much fun to have kittens around. Can't wait to see what they think of the pumpkins!

Our trip to New York

The first leg of our trip took us on a little adventure. Instead of turning south out of our driveway we headed North to Milwaukee. There is a Lake Express (ferry) that goes across the Lake to Muskegon. The kids had never been on a ferry before so off we went.

The Milwaukee harbor.

We wondered if Andrew was out sailing that morning. It was so beautiful out.

Looking back at the skyline.

The guys wondered the deck as we were departing. Look at what they found! You may have to enlarge it to see . . . . . TRANE roof top units! "grin"

This was the cabin where you could travel away from the weather. It was very comfortable.


When we arrived at the Michigan side the Coast Guard met us and escorted us to the dock.

We had to travel this channel and into a large bay area beyond.

There were beautiful homes along the channel. . . . . . . . . .

and a museum with a sub. Ooooh.

Matthew noticed the gun on this Coast Guard boat parked along the way.

The cars were carried on a lower deck. You could only go down there as the ship was docking.

We drove in one end and then proceeded out the other.

It was so much fun and we missed all the Chicago traffic. PTL It felt like we'd gotten a jump start on our trip. From here we worked our way across Michigan and into Canada for the night.

Come, Ye Thankful People Come!

Come, ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest-home:
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin,
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.




All the world is God's own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield:
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear,
Lord of harvest grant that we
Whole-some grain and pure may be.




For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home:
From His field shall in that day
All offenses purge away:
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast,
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.



Even so, Lord, quickly come
To Thy final harvest home:
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin;
There, forever purified,
In Thy presence to abide:
Come, with all Thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.
by Henry Alford

We're Home

It's so great to be home! You know the routine, unpack, do laundry, clean up, grocery shop and cook.

Well Grandma Glenna blessed us and made dinner for us so we wouldn't have to cook. "happy grin"

It was absolutely delicious and beautiful. The beef stew was so good. She used allspice in it for the first time. I'm going to try that. Also notice the fresh sliced tomatoes from their garden.
WOW YUMMY

Nate served. ;-)

Thank you Lord for such wonderful Grandparents. Thank you Mom for your thoughtfulness and the delicious supper.

Coming soon are posts about our trip.

Rolling, rolling, rolling . . . . . . . .

We are off!
(all except Nate who happily has to stay home and work "grin")

We head out today for New York to the National Leadership Conference. Spirits are high and who knows if we have everything?? Please hold us in your prayers. See you next week!