Friday, October 26, 2012

Storybook Fall Retreat

A long trip north, lots of friends, beautiful scenery, encouraging meetings, delicious meals, and some time away as a family. The kids loved all of the time outdoors and Emma ran around with a pack of friends like she owned the place. It was a nice break from the grind and worth the efforts to get there.

I am still thinking on the following verses from the speaker:

 "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:16-18

This life is hard and filled with stress, problems, and suffering. Yet this is not the end! There is an eternity in store for us that will make these sufferings insignificant in comparison. We must see our lives in the light of God's eternal perspective and keep pressing on!

At the lake

The updated Dream House


Canoe ride

Noah loved the "boat"


The puppies were a big hit!

We came across a bear cub

Tall trees

Emma kept exploring trails

Our home was upstairs next to the Hellers

Spaghetti dinner


Who wouldn't want to join our table??

Tucked in her bunk for the night
How many hours can they spend spinning in circles??
The little Ewok discovered his pockets

A quick picture before she ran off again

Sunset


The beloved sauna

The boys get the sauna lit

Last time on the merry-go-round

Friday, October 12, 2012

October days



Raking leaves with Daddy

Noah had a long day.
Emma had a day off school so we spent the afternoon at Howell's.

Noah quickly hoarded all of the trucks.

Happy, happy


Someone likes to pose

Our climber

This was their favorite part! I could hardly pull them away.

Lots of pots and pans

Flour, sugar, oatmeal, and even chocolate chips!

Noah was thrilled to get to use the oven and made some muffins.

Farmer boy

Feeding the goats


Emma was trying to make it "fair."

Searching for the perfect pumpkin


She spent a long time looking for this one. It had to be perfectly round, clean, with no flaws.

And Noah just wanted a "big" one...

Time to clean them up

They scrubbed and scrubbed


Open house at the Fire Station for Fire Safety Week

Noah was in heaven!
"Mommy, I ride in the shire truck"
Noah loved crawling through the tunnel.

My shutters are up!

My little punkin with his pumpkins!