The Adventures of the Niz: Episode 4

Joel put together these videos of our trip to Colorado. I recommend starting with Episode 1, even though these are random enough on their own that they really don't need to be chronological to make sense (they don't make sense no matter what order they are!)

The Adventures of the Niz: Episode 3

The Adventures of the Niz: Episode 2

The Adventures of the Niz: Episode 1

THE REBELUTION -- AUGUST 28th, 9:00-5:00--ST LOUIS

Our family will be attending this event. We have been to the Rebelution Conference in the past and found it extremely beneficial. We encourage you to consider bringing some or all of your family (and if you are interested in group rates, let us know!) For more information, go to their website by clicking here.

NEW VAN

We purchase a new van from Midwest University in Wentzville. They had a nice logo sticker and address on the side of the van. The kids removed the stickers, but reused some of the letters for their own rebranded sticker.

WHAT I DID OVER MY SUMMER VACATION . . .

We have been so very busy this summer that I haven't had time to post the neat things which have been happening.

The Rolla Regional Robotics Botball Team has been very busy designing, building, programming, and snacking.

Here is the team with their trophies from Regional Competition. They won First Place OverAll and First Place Seeding Rounds.
Team Members include (L to R) Josh Riefer, Abby Hall, John Nisbett, Jacob Hamacher, Justin Mosher, Ben Eldredge, Kelsey Quittschreiber, and Josiah Nisbett (not pictured Eli Prodiva).

Josiah and Jacob preparing the robots for their run during Seeding Rounds at the National Tournament in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Jacob and Josiah watching the robots compete.

The team as they received the Judges Choice Best Design Award at National.

Way to go Rolla Regional Robotics!

IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE ! !

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, July 20th at 7:30 will be the last performance of the Rolla Town Band. Summer just isn't summer until you've sat outside listening to Sousa played by enthusiastic local musicians (ranging in age from 15 to 85).

Tuesday's concert will include: the Star Spangled Banner, Lords of Greenwich, American Elegy (by Frank Tichelli one of my favorite modern composers, Night Flight (King march), Armed Forces on Parade, A Salute to the Cinema, Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Dune, The Thunderer (Sousa), America the Beautiful, and of course The Stars and Stripes Forever (Sousa). This is a great line up of "Americana" music that everyone will enjoy (even 4 year olds).

Also, at intermission, some of the cast of OAT's production of "The Fantasticks" will be performing short excerts from their fantatic upcoming show (pun intended).

So -- two, free, enjoyable entertainment opportunities in the same place. Who says there's nothing to do in Rolla!?
Bring your own chairs or blanket and soak up the experience!

Warning: Members of the Nisbett family will be playing in the ensemble ( at least five.)

THE ADVENTURES OF ADAM

Adam left yesterday for Scotland with Keith's sisters, Donna, Margie, and Rhonda.
They will be spending three weeks touring, camping, and enjoying the beauty. They will be chronicling their adventures at http://forthdegree.wordpress.com/ if you would like to join them.

YOU ARE INVITED TO AN EXCITING DOUBLE HEADER AT THE NISBETT'S

Saturday, July 3rd, from Noon to 2 pm we will have with us Senator Chuck Purgason and his lovely wife Janet.

Senator Purgason is a true conservative and a godly man. He is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Kit Bond and is facing Roy Blunt in the August 3rd primary. This is a crucial race. You can learn more about Chuck at http://purgasonforsenate.com/

Please join us and get to know Senator Purgason. We will be serving lunch. You are welcome to bring a dish. Feel free to stay all afternoon to visit and fellowship.

You are also welcome to spend the night because . . . .

Sunday, July 4th, in the afternoon we will have with us Pastor Abraham from India.

Our regular church meeting will begin at 2:00 pm and Pastor Abraham will join us some time between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to share what God has been doing in India and to teach from the Word. If you have never heard Abraham speak, it is a treat and a blessing.

We will be having a pot-luck dinner afterwards.

Invite your friends and family to both events, even if you can't make it yourself. While their paths are very different, both of these men are dedicating their lives to changing the world, honoring the LORD and bringing GLORY to His name.

Feel free to contact us with any questions, etc.

FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT

We realized some-what last minute that we had everyone together this evening and decided to take a family photo. Trying to get 13 people to all keep their eyes open at the same time is more of a challenge than it seems that it should be.

Someone mentioned that yawning right before a picture relaxes your jaw and makes your smile look more natural.
Everyone immediately had to experiment, and Adam caught it on film.

Keith requested a picture of the two of us alone (that doesn't happen often.)

Behind the Scenes:
Eliminating sun spots on our faces with advanced technology.

Many thanks to Jed for taking the group shots, and making shade.

28 YEARS and we picked up a few friends along the way.

June 5th, 1982

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure."

"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delighful inheritance."
Ps. 16:5-6

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN

Playing in the fort . . .

. . .and bare feet.

Delightfully content feet . . .

. . . thoughtful, contemplative feet.
Feet should be free to express themselves.

CANTELOPE FIRING SQUAD

More noctural photography experiments.

In the summer time, the girls curl up with a book in the evenings . . .

. . . and the guys shoot poor defenseless melons.

SUMMER TIME READING

I have always loved reading, any thing, any where. Anna has recently caught the bug. She can always be found curled up with a book, in her bed, on the couch . . .

. . . and on the van . . . (?)

I guess in a large family, sometimes it's hard to find a quiet spot.

When I looked out the window and saw her here, I really chuckled. I don't think I've ever read a book atop a van.

"GUESS WHAT?! . . WE GET TO PLAY BASEBALL!" from "The Rookie"

It's that wonderful time of year again for Baseball Games at Green Acre Park with friends and fun.
John is playing this year with Keith coaching again. Dan and Zeke Hall are involved as well. The games are Monday and Wednesday nights (times are listed on our calendar). Join us if you're free!

We received the team's shirts recently (this is a 13-15 year old team, John is the tallest guy on the team, and I'm not sure who they thought the jerseys would fit!) Out came the handy-dandy sewing machine, and John can now throw the ball without getting tangled in his uniform.

SPRING TIME ROBINS

Earlier in the Spring, we noticed that a Robin was building her nest right outside our living room window. This picture was taken from inside with a 50mm lens, that's how close her nest is.

It was a wonderful, big screen Nature Channel show of the nest building, setting on the eggs, hatching, and then feeding the babies.

Oh my the babies grew fast! Here they are about 1 week after hatch, and it wasn't long afterward that they began flying!

What a fun front seat on yet one more amazing testimony to our Creator's genius.

JOEL AND JOSIAH: UPDATE #3

Since Nate and Amy moved to State College, we have become acquainted with the Bourne family. The Bournes are active with the theatre stuff in this area and are members of the same church as Nate and Amy. Josiah and I have enjoyed hanging out with the Bournes during our visit.


We helped the Bournes plant some corn. Sorry for the poor quality cell phone pics.

The Bourne's second oldest son is the facilities manager at Camp Kanasatake which has an awesome zipline.

We zipped. It was fun.

Then we shot lots of guns until it got too dark. That was fun too.

RANDOM OTHER STUFF

This is a papaya. It matches my hat.
BTW, I bought that hat at Goodwill for 29 cents along with an entire outfit to go with it.

This is the guts of the papaya. Yucky stuff.

This is the good part.

We turned it into juice. Hint: it tastes better mixed with Mountain Dew.