Degoede Bulb Farm

We were able to bring Amanda's friend Willow back for a visit for a few days..it was such a special blessing having her! She is such a special young lady who is sold out for Jesus. Amanda and she are like 2 peas in a pod and are such an encouragement for one another. One of the trips we took was to the Degoede Bulb Farm. They have a beautiful display garden which is currently in full bloom! It was fun to do a few photo shoots! :-) It is fun to have a few budding photographers in the family.

 

here the girls are standing in front of some 'garden phlox'. I had no idea that there was

such a thing! They were 4-5' phlox bushes! The color was incredible

This particular rose was lavender in color

I think these are called Moss Roses

 

A lovely rose bush

Marigolds

Amanda and her friend Willow, A.K.A 'the twins'

I am so blessed by my wonderful daughters!

Gracie

Grace and Laura

 

Visiting Halsey

We recently enjoyed a trip back down to visit one of our favorite churches.  We were able to introduce our new friends who we have been meeting with, to some brothers and sisters down in Halsey. Our three families had such a wonderful time together, caravanning down to Oregon, attending the meeting and a shared meal at the park with the Halsey group and then stopping at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Vancouver and sharing the dinner meal together! We stayed at the place for an hour and a half, fellowshipping and spending time talking. Our children were running around yelling and playing. After a long, hot day we didn't have the heart to stop their antics! :-) We had the place to ourselves!

 

 

Special Friends

Stephanie and Matthew visits with Grace and Laura

'Guy Talk'

I enjoyed hearing about Phebe's adventures from her trip to Belize!

 

After the meal, many of the mamas and children headed down to a shallow place

 in the river to cool off..

 

 

 

We look forward to travelling down again soon with our three families! What a blessed time of sweet, sweet fellowship with special brothers and sisters

Fishing Fever!

We are finding that this summer, having moved so close to one of the most beautiful recreational fishing areas in the country.. that there is a theme running! FISHING! Whether it is on our property in the small fishing pond, in a nearby streams or at the huge dam which is located just a 1/2 mile from our home.. the boys have gotten quite a lot of fishing in. This particular outing was nice because they came home with some yummy silver salmons. I guess the 'trick' to catching so many is night fishing.. They have talked Grady into taking them to the dam quite a few times for night fishing..one time they didn't get home until midnight! Ashley tagged along on this trip and snapped a few photos..

Mayfield Dam

                                                               

Daddy enjoys some reading time

The other side of the dam

 

This is the side of the dam they were fishing on

As it grows dark, the fishing gets really good! And look at that view!

 

But at last Daddy says it's time to head home

 

one of the yummy little silvers they caught!

 

 

 

 

 

~Friends & Puppies~

We were so privileged to have some special friends come by for dinner. They were moving out of state just a few days later and we were so blessed to spend an evening with them before their move.

It was so nice to visit together again..

 

 

 

Before they came, Amanda's Golden started having her puppies! So the whole evening while our company was over, our older girls were out playing the doggie midwives. Grace and our company's daughters stayed out there for quite a while with them, watching the puppies being born. That was a fun addition to the evening.

 

 

 

All too soon, it was time for them to go home. Mandy and Ash were up all night, helping Miss Ruby deliver 11 puppies! SO CUTE!