Happy Birthday Ashley!!

We had so much fun spending Ashley's birthday at some very special friend's home. They treated us to a delicious lunch, including many blessings for Ashley.. then we headed down to their creek where we had a blast in their paddle boat and the boys fished. Afterward we attended a very entertaining and educational class at their church. It was a very full & blessed day!

Sweet friends!

The girls!

Hanging out, fishing and visiting

bailing out the boat!

We look a bit nervous here, lol. It was such a fun time

The kids kinda directed us from shore- "look out for that stump!!" So cute!

The little girls' turn!

It was such a special day,, celebrating such an amazing daughter. We love you so much dear precious first-born! You are an amazing and devoted Christ-follower who I respect and love beyond measure.

Cute Home Pics!

Enjoying another fun trip to the Brownsville Park!

Ryan in Ashley & Amanda's apartment- it's been great for the 'girls' to have their own place so that when the young folks want to stay up late for visits, music, singing or whatnot, they don't have to worry about keeping us awake! :-)

Grandma Barb came for a visit for Ashley's birthday

Spoon competition at the dinner table. I won. :-)

My sweet husband loves to bring me flowers... we have a wonderful neighbor who sells cut flowers on the side of the road. His

Dahlias are *still* blooming!

Grant, engrossed in 'Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secrets'

The girls have been enjoying learning how to crochet. Right now they are working on fun gifts for their grandmas

We love the Charlotte Mason Method of schooling. Here Gracie is doing copy work. Probably a poem by Robert Lewis Stevenson. We have been memorizing his poems close to 2 years now. Its almost time to move on to a different poet.. but his are just soo good! lol

Laura is keeping right up with Miss Gracie in schoolwork. At 7 years old, she is reading at a grade 5-6 level and is doing 3rd grade schoolwork easily. Here she is working on math-Teaching Textbooks Grade 3. We so enjoy the lifestyle that homeschooling affords us. The freedom to tailor- fit curriculums and activities per student and learning style. Happy Fall!

The Olders Take a Hike :-)

                                                                                  

 

Ash, Mandy, Ryan & Grant went with some close family friends on a lovely hike! The fall colors were just gorgeous! They arrived fairly late in the day so they ended up traveling the 4 1/2 mile hike fairly quickly so as to get back to the car before dark! :-) Even so, they took the time to snap these lovely photos! Our whole family tried heading back up there the next weekend to see the fall colors before the weather change.. but when we checked the weather report there was already a forecast of snow! Maybe next fall! :-)

 

Ashley & Amanda enjoy these sweet friends!

 

                                        

Fellowship, Volleyball & A Birthday!

 

A few families from a local church in the area invited us to come over for Volleyball and a birthday celebration for their daughter. We have known them all for years and love them all so much! 

 

The little girls had a blast being thrown into the mix!

 

Being very practiced, they were all very tolerant toward our players who aren't quite as experienced. A sign of a truly fun game-having fun even when there are mistakes and fumbles!!!! :-)

 

We had such a fun time watching the games! A few of those guys are seriously into it!

 

Becky entertains the crew!

 

She had them all line up in age order and played 'school'. She is a wonderful babysitter!

 

Time to head inside for the little ones! They enjoyed a snack and organized games

 

Kristin and I always have a ball together! (no pun intended!)

 

 

Ryan was able to come join us after work! He enjoyed visiting with the guys. He was even able to play Volleyball for a few minutes before it got dark.

 

 

Amanda had made her own cake! It was beautiful & delicious!!!

                                The birthday girl enjoys opening her gifts..with lots of lookers!

 

These girls are such great friends to Ashley & Amanda! We are so appreciative of our friendship with this super fun and precious church-body! Thank you for the invite! We had a great time!