Joel's birthday and a logging show

Steve & I decided to work on planning more day outings for the kids this summer, since we haven't really been able to take a family vacation for quite a few years. On Joel's birthday last Saturday we tried a truly western experience, a logging show! Interesting to attend, once anyway. We all liked the wagon ride the best, with 2 powerful gorgeous draft horses pulling a wagon with dozens of people. There were quite a few old-fashioned logging-related contests, such as hand-sawing, ax-cutting, tree-climbing and obstacle courses.

Can you see the guys climbing the 70 ft. poles below with their logging gear? They were amazingly fast and flew down so quickly too.

Afterwards we stopped by Aimee & Hunter's new place nearby... gorgeous! What a beautiful, park-like place... landscaping, play area, outbuildings, pond and all. The kids ran ahead when we went towards the pond, and Holly didn't stop when she got to the edge; she walked straight into the water with her pants and shoes on.

Back at home, the kids are having fun in their forts again, and THE SUN'S OUT!!!

We blinked... and summer passed by

Oh, the challenge of not complaining about the weather these past 2 months!!! Weeks of cold weather in the 40°s and 50°s, plenty of clouds, dark days and rain, even hail today... I feel disoriented in terms of seasons. With the kids' summer vacation beginning, we're waiting for some sunshine and warmth, but it looks like it won't be here for a while yet. I guess we should be feeling especially bad for the poor farmers whose crops will likely need to be replanted (if they can even get in their fields!), with seeds rotting in the mud.

I find I need to remind myself and the kids of Genesis 8:22, "As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Marie's 8th birthday

The well-loved neighbor dog...

Our lovely weather is enjoyed by someone at least... I don't know if you can make out the 8 slugs on this plant.