LOVE

This was taken for work.

But I love this picture...

This guy has made some huge progress over the past couple of months and is looking fantastic.

Thanks for all you do for us!  <3 p="">

FAIR 2018

It was hot and sticky and humid...and of course--it was fair week.

The kids had two competitions throughout the week.

Bowmanship was first--where they needed to know parts of the bow and show proper form etc.

Both scored well.

The next competition that week was Field Archery--a long shoot.

There were 12 rounds of 3 arrows each and it went in heats--so it was actually 24 rounds per grouping.  Bean went first..and when they were almost done--up to the 10th round it started to DOWNPOUR!!!

Our tent actually blew over and everyone took refuge in the barns for probably a good hour until the rain let up enough for us to resume the competition.  Everyone was pretty soaked.

But, overall in her class--Bean came in 3rd.

MJ's class was next up to shoot.

He came in 2nd in his class.

So, they both did well.

I didn't stick around for awards, because it would have been another couple of hours.

And they got rained on again!!

But Mike was there with two of the boys and they had some fun later on at the demolition derby too.  We didn't do much at the fair this year other than these competitions--the weather was not cooperative.

That about wrapped it up.

FAIR SET-UP

Fair set up day has been consistently HOT since we have been doing it.

And it has been a few years now.

Yet, we still continue to do it.

One of our clubs is taking a break from fair this year (Yes!!!!) so that was one less thing to do plus, a bit less time that we have to be there.

Still, there were two other clubs to set up.

They were at the same time, so I left two with one club and the rest of us went over to the other booth...

and it was hot.

We did what we could and called it a day.

I didn't go crazy with the pictures.

Today is competition number one.

VBS #2

VBS number two was last week.

The theme was "Shipwrecked:  Rescued by Jesus."

We did the evening again.  It seems to work well, plus "dinner" is provided.

Lotsa cousins!!

Music time

Bible Lesson

Games.

I have to be honest, I'm glad it is over.

Now, to get through fair week this week!!

BIRTHDAY PARTY

Since having a birthday party at home wasn't an option this year, we opted to schedule it at a local park when they were showing their free movie.

We packed up a table and some goodies and it worked.

Thankfully, we had nice weather.

The only drawback was how late it got--being that the movie didn't start until dark.  We had two sleepers and a bunch more bug bites that necessary.

Overall though I think everyone had a nice time.

Thanks for coming out!

PROJECTS

Back a month or two ago, we rented a machine for a week and fixed a crack in the foundation of the house.  There should be no more water leaking into the basement.  Since this was all dug up, we debated on what to "do" in the area and decided just to build a simple porch along the front.

Some beginning stages..

Ta-da!

Eventually it will get an overhang and some posts, steps off the end and painted to match the other section as well as some other finishing touches.  

We are also working on getting some grass back, which kind of messed up my summer plans of having company and birthday parties etc...but such is life.

VBS #1

This week has been busy.

And different.

Except for Monday--I have been child-free every morning.

I had signed up the oldest 5 for a local vbs--knowing the track record of #6--I didn't bother.

However, we got there Monday morning and #6 insisted he wanted to stay while #5 did NOT want to.

Okay, we just swapped.

They are doing the Babylon: Daniel's Courage in Captivity program.

Well, after everyone came home Monday afternoon and said how much fun it was--#5 decided to go Tuesday and that was that.  They are all enjoying this time.  

After lessons and crafts etc. etc. and lunch (yeah--lunch is provided!!)--they have an outdoor play/water area set up until pick up time.

That may have been the clincher for #5.  

It has definitely been different on my end, but it is nice to see this bit of independence on the part of the little guys.  We shall see what next week holds.