School

The kids outside of the elementary school where J and R attend.

Rachel had an opportunity to attend a K-5th Gr. "Dance Camp" after school each day for one week. At the end of the week all 100+ girls got to perform at the Homecoming Game at halftime. I believe Rachel is on the left side of the picture...Maybe you can pick her out. :)

First Day of School! Madelynn, 1st Grade

Hudson, Pre-K

Hurrah for Homeschoolers!

a little wildlife this summer

Aren't these cute? Madelynn and Hudson made them in preschool this summer.  

This one is made out of an egg carton

This was a common sight this summer. Joshua outside, with a book,
checking on his frog(s) in the bucket.

Meet "Toad-y". 

YWAM Mpls Staff Conference/Retreat

The staff conference was about a week long in rural MN. All the Mpls staff and their families came out for this and we all had a great time. There was childcare for the morning and evening sessions, and the afternoons were free. We spent time on the water, the kids loved fishing off the dock. there was soccer, street hockey and volleyball. And plenty of time to read and soak in the sun. It was nice to get to know our fellow staff a bit more also. 

The teaching sessions were really great. Our base director puts a lot of thought and prayer into his teachings so it is well worth sitting there for 5 hours a day. We also had worship, small groups to share and pray for one another and some other fun, goofy moments. We didn't take too many pictures, but we did have a refreshing time.

Joshua driving the pontoon.

Rachel driving the pontoon

Hudson and Madelynn really enjoyed going on the boat. They had been begging me for 2 or 3 days straight and then finally towards the end of the week, we had our opportunity to go out!

I'm not sure what's going on here specifically. It must be one of those goofy times.
Joel took this picture, maybe he would know. You can ask him.

I went sailing for the first time. Thanks L! 

Hudson, Madelynn with friend and neighbor, Bella.

Some Good Friends stop by on their move west...

These boys are like brothers.

Forgive me K, but I had to put this one on here. It's just too hilarious to leave out.

A Monarch Butterfly Sequence

The monarch caterpillar loves milkweed. They start out so tiny you hardly see them.
Good thing for sharp child eyes.

The caterpillar hangs upside down by it's tail sheds some skin and becomes a chrysalis.
The chrysalis is actually a layer of it's skin. Aren't the gold stripe and spots neat?

On day 11 or so the chrysalis turns clear, revealing the butterfly inside.

We've always missed the actual hatching of the butterfly (we had four caterpillars/butterflies this summer)
but here is the butterfly drying it's wings.

We moved the butterfly outside where it could enjoy the sunshine and breeze.
Here he's flapping it's wings. It's going to take off soon, right?

Anytime now.

Nature is very patient. We however are not. But we will not miss this!

And there he goes! Bye Mark the Monarch! Have a great trip south!

* * *

And THIS is a great video by our neighbor of HER two monarchs:

Some little friends come to stay

One weekend in August we watched our friends' three kids. We all had a fun time. Here's some snapshots of that weekend: Enjoy!

S and Madelynn

L loves the float-y spaceship

"Dress up" was a favorite game to play

No, he's not a princess. He's a bumblebee.
Careful! He might sting you with his head.

At MIA's free Family Day, our two families joined up
and made cardboard chairs while listening to loud dance music.

The girls (and L) dance while the adults decide where to eat dinner.

First Day of School!

Joshua- 4th Grade

Rachel - 2nd Grade

Joshua wanted a picture of them together.

Over the Rivers and Through the Woods and across the Prairies...

What a lovely family! (Como Conservatory)

Smell, Madelynn!

Lunch at the Black Bear Como Café (or something like that)
Good pizza eh Hudson?

Yes, Nana actually drove them around like this. She's more adventurous than I (Renée) am!!
She was very careful of course and no one got hurt (of course).

First Day of School!

Nana made all those blankets! Aren't they beautiful?

Good night story

Busy Summer Part Two

A little family photo

Yes she's happy. Hudson is (and has always been) able to tackle and knock M down.

Some new friends

Rachel Ann

Madelynn Louise

Joshua Stephen and Hudson James

Jose and Kristy's Wedding!

Sunrise

Renée

Friends!!

Brothers

Sisters: All four reading to one another at the same time. It was a peaceful scene!

End of soccer for Madelynn!

Diabetes Camp!

For four days and four nights Joshua went to Diabetes Camp. He had a blast!

Kids Against Hunger packing event at the base.
(Rachel on the far right and Renée in the middle.)