Autumnal

We picked a bunch of these off of YWAM's apple trees....

...And turned it into sauce! We are only about half done but we've done over 40 quarts so far!

Daddy and son. 

Underneath the most magnificent maple I've seen.

Treehouse, anyone?

On a nature walk

Camping!

Joshua and Joel went camping this past weekend- just a quick overnight on YWAM's property in the woods. The weather has been beautiful here- in the 70's. And the fall colors are gorgeous with the brilliant sumac, the colorful maples, and even the oaks- not just plain brown. DTS staff M and student C joined Joel and Joshua as they camped near a pond full of swans and goslings. It was a nice time to just enjoy God and his creation after the first week of orientation for the DTS!

Notice the swans

Bannock over the fire.

Joshua had fun with Joel's can saw.

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". 

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:

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.)