YOU MAKE MY DAY

Kasie, our good friend in Tennesse, from The Chronicles of the Willi, has honored us with the "You Make My Day" Award. Thank you so much Kasie! Now we are supposed to pass this award on to five other blogs that make our day. Drumroll please . . .


The first blog I ever read regularly was Living With Leukemia , the blog of our dear friend Amy Martin Wilhoite. Amy is now with her precious Savior and we miss her terribly. Amy's writings were always honest, edifying, and excellently crafted, revealing a beautiful soul. If you haven't been to her site, it is definitely a blessing. Her husband, Brandon, is currently working on a book of her journals.

We have been honored to know Colleen Moeller for a long time as well. She is the epitome of sunshine. Her blog, Prayer Basket- the Journey Continues, was also started in response to her diagnoses of cancer. Colleen and her family reveal a depth of faith and love that is nothing short of miraculous. Her every word brings glory to God and encouragement to me.

We've know Candace English Jacobson since she was about 5 years old. She has always been creative and her blog, Gentlewood Cottage, is one more example of her many gifts. There you will find some exceptional photography, as well as Candace's wise and witty comments. It has been fun to watch Candace turn into the lovely woman she is.

Mary Ueland is another amazing person, combining more gifts and talents than I can begin to list. What is so special about her blog though, (other than her humility) is the depth of insight and commitment she brings to serving Jesus with every action. I am always challenged and convicted by her blog, At His Feet.

This last entry isn't really a blog, but rather a family anomaly. It does qualify as a site that "makes our day". The BUB (Box Under the Bed Online Museum) is a collection of found objects (specifically lighters) that was started by Keith's sisters, Donna, Margie, and Rhonda. It has evolved into a great and amusing, free family pasttime. The website carefully chronicles many family events by posting the story of each lighter's history, along with a photograph and a carefully cataloged identifying number. The BUB currently has a holding of over 3000 lighters. You too can join the illustrious group of contributors, just by finding your own little "objet du corbeille" (lighter). Spoiler: If you visit this important site, be sure to hold your curser over the "box" and also click on the red button of the lighter (try that multiple times).

REALLY EASY SUMMER MEAL

San Antonio Day 3 - Six Flags Fiesta Texas!

Group photo! It was easy to spot members of our group today.

Waiting in line - what Six Flags is all about.
(actually the lines weren't bad this time.)

Ready to get soaked in the round boat.

Going under the waterfall!

Ready to get wet again in the log ride. I actually stayed fairly dry on this ride until Japheth decided to take it upon himself to splash the riders behind him until they were sufficiently wet.

John and Micah thought this label was meant for them.

It's easy to pick out our group in orange, isn't it?

Some guy gave us this flag that he had won, but didn't want. Joel wore it as a cape for the rest of the day.

This was an interesting ride called the Frisbee. The whole disk spins around the arm which swings back and forth.

This ride was my favorite one of the park. You get launched up in the air until you run out of momentum and then fall back down. As you fall, it compresses a cylinder of air and so you end up bouncing up and down on the cushion of air, then they pull you up to the top of the tower and drop you for another bouncing session.

Sadly, we only found one lighter the whole day and it was in an off limits area and so we couldn't retrieve it. (BTW, for any who aren't aware of the lighter collection, visit: www.bublighters.com )

GREAT ON PANCAKES, BLUEBERRY SAUCE

This recipe is one of our favorites. It also works well with blackberries, peaches, or a mix of fruits.

San Antonio Trip Day 2 - To the San Antonio Campground

After a family church gathering and lunch, we drove down to San Antonio, stopping in Austin to pick up Craig's son Micah. We have made decent progress finding lighters so far and with the addition of those we brought from home and the ones we've found on the trip, we are now around 3030!
This is our campsite at the KOA. We have discovered that we can get high-speed wireless internet without even leaving our site. (I don't know if it really counts as camping if you still have internet, but that's another issue.) We'll be trying to do daily or semi-daily updates.

The guys discovered that you could rent pedal powered karts and so they had a fleet roaming the campgrounds.

Japheth had his chain come loose and it is covered to prevent access so some of the others towed him back to trade it out.

He got himself set up with a working trike style vehicle and they got back on the road.


Some posing for the camera.

San Antonio Trip Day 1 - Drive to TX

We left our house at 7:56am, picked up Mark's kids Anna, Japheth, and Leah in Rolla and got on the road by 9:00.

With 3 iPods and 1 other mp3 player, we had no lack of music on the way down.

I drove to the TX border where Dad's sisters met us and drove the rest of the way. We managed to make the trip with only two stops.

The girls discovered an odd location for a seating booth - it was in the handicapped stall!

We had dinner at Pancho's to celebrate lighter #3000. We are going to see if we can make it to 3100 by the end of the trip.

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
Make his praise glorious!
say to God,
"How awesome are your deeds!"


Psalm 66:1-3

THE ALL-AMERICAN SPORT

With "The Prince and the Pauper" over, we've recast everyone to the baseball team.


Justin Mosher has moved from Stache to catcher.

Grammer Canty's brother Japheth Nisbett (some relation) is pitching.

The Hermit leans on third base.

Jacob Hamacher moved from Jamie to pitching.

Josh Riefer handles third base as well as he does a spotlight.

And the pauper, John, dives to catch the ball.

And the whole team runs the bases, with their coaches, Keith and Paul Hamacher looking on.

WHERE THE FUN IS

Although there is a lot of action on the field, the real fun happens in the stands. We have the best fans in town: the Moshers, Halls, Lights, Hamachers, and Riefers are represented here.


An interesting wardrobe coincidence.

Not only are our fans enthusiastic, they are beautiful as well.

Riefers, Hamachers, and Lights out for a stroll.

MORE FANS IN THE STANDS

Joel and Jared English

Dawn Hall is the ultimate baseball mom!

More lovely ladies (and Ian)

Zeke really wants in on the action.