Summer Days

We love summer! It is a busy season, but it is by far the best time of the year! Our days are often full of spontaneous fun times, lazy moments spent with a book, sleeping in late, going on picnics... So much to do, but it's all good!

Here are some pictures of our summer so far. We already know the high-light of our summer! Seeing my cousin Brian.

We were so happy to see him after he was released from jail after his terrible ordeal. He and his younger brother, my cousin Jacob, came up here to visit us for a weekend. Here is Jacob, my mom, Brian and me. Don't we look happy?!! God answered our prayers in such an amazing way - so suddenly at an unexpected time. I felt like Rhoda in the book of Acts when I got the phone call that Brian was released!

Our vacation in the Adirondacks of New York was very relaxing and we really enjoyed our family time. We stayed with Mark's parents and had a great time visiting with Mark's sisters and their families. The cousins don't see each other more than once a year so those times are precious. Lots of time was spent out on the back porch - what a beautiful view they have!

This beautiful rainbow picture was taken from their back porch!

Joel and Ivy with cousin Jaime and Uncle Chad out on the porch
Jaden with his cousin Jonathan

We also visited some educational sites like all respectable homeschooling families would do! We've always wanted to go to Fort Ticonderoga and this year marked the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War so it was the perfect time to be there. We'll be studying colonial America in school this coming year so this field trip was a great introduction to the year!

Jaden thought the fife and drums corps were pirates!

Ivy would have been tall enough to join the Continental Army!

We also visited the beautiful King's Gardens

Jaden loved the school's playground near Nana and Grandpa's house. He even found a snake there in the grass!
Joel spent lots of time playing tennis with Mark and Uncle Chad and the cousins.

Here are some other pictures of our summer closer to home.

We love to go to Long's Park

We had a picnic lunch

The petting zoo was open that day so we were able to see the animals up close



Mark's big summer project has been re-doing our shed. He took off the old roof and put on a new one.




Now that the roof is replaced, he will replace the doors and paint the shed so it will look as good as new soon. My wonderful husband is always working hard for us! I am so thankful that he knows how to do everything - he's amazing!

Happy Summer everyone!

Bowling for free!

Perhaps you have already heard of the Kids Bowl Free program, but if not, here it goes! If you would like to have your kids bowl for free all summer (up to 2 free games every day), go to http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ and sign them up! There are participating bowling alleys all over the country. You can even get a family membership for all your kids and up to four adults for a small fee. We did that so that we could all join in the fun - even Grandma! We do have to pay for the shoe rental, but the games are free.

J.A.M. (junior-high adventures in ministry)

Our son Joel along with other junior highers and youth leaders from our church spent the weekend at Philadelphia Biblical University to participate in ministry to inner city kids. Approximately 200 kids came for Kids Day on Saturday. The "jammers" were each paired with a child for the day and had one-on-one time to present the gospel with him or her. 37 children accepted Jesus as their Savior! Please pray for the children that were there and that they would continue to grow in their faith. Joel's buddy accepted Christ three weeks prior so he was able to encourage him in his walk with the Lord and to share with others about Jesus. Here are some pictures of Joel and others from his team on the trip.

An afternoon at the park

One of the best things about being a homeschooling family is spontaneous trips to the park after lunch on sunny afternoons! I may be 38 years old, but I still love to swing on the swings! I'm so happy that we have a three year old and can still go to playgrounds! Here are some pictures from our beautiful day at Amos Herr Park.

I love this picture of Ivy on the swing!

Jaden being a cowboy
green!

Jaden loves his trike

and Ivy's scooter!

Joel can never be near a baseball diamond without hitting some balls!

We walked around the Amos Herr homestead.

I love magnolias.

Spring is so pretty.

Ivy near the garden

There is a nice trail around the spring house.

My two boys on the see-saw!