Claiming space

This morning Kristianna decided it was time to move the dollhouses to a spot we had not thought of before. Apparently her friend Sarah has a cool spot that she thought we could do as well. Here are some before, during, and after shots of the "new" place! There is now carpet sections down and more usable space for smaller people! Josh says that this older doll house looks like it has been hit by a tornado but it was once mine and my sisters' as a child and now is quite treasured by Isabel. Someday it may even get the coat of paint that my Grandfather envisioned as he purposefully left it bare 30 some years ago. He was so excited that we could do that element ourselves! :)

Colorado Cousins

Little Williams girls pictured here are Isabel, Katie, and Lindsay. We had fun with Josh and Megan while they were here in Ohio! The last time they came to visit Josh placed a log or two and they only had one daughter. How things have changed!

Seeing another's view

I am reflecting tonight on seeing life from someone else's view point. Last night Kristianna went to water plants at our neighbor's house and came back with some images. I love how she has an eye for beauty even while at work.

Beauty in the ordinary...A wonderful gift God has given and one I am so grateful for tonight.

People and Places this week

We just returned from a fun-filled day at family camp. We had a great time and got to know some of our friends even better and even got to meet some new friends. We left the day before to mow at Kris's parents home and stopped in to see a few family members while we in town.

The kids had a great time at camp and enjoyed swimming, a professional juggler, the low ropes course, the Xscream, paddle boats, and especially octoball. We also got to see a hilarious lip-sync last night before we left. We left wondering what it would be like to spend the whole week rather then a day at camp together as a family.

We are back to the real world once more and I am getting ready for work right now. I hope you have found a way to enjoy your week as well.

Back on line

MY technology fast is about over! We now have a computer again and are trying to get everything back the way we use it. I think now is a good time to post older pictures...this one of the triathalon in PA in May.

This is a before and after photo of our two teams.

Fun times

On top of Spruce Mountain in NY with my sisters...

Thankful for the library

This past week our ailing computer died. I have realized how dependent we have become on technology in our log home! Today we are at the library so I can catch up on the computer world and I am reflecting on how much we have come to love this place.
Wesley is known by name to all the the librarians now. Sometimes they stop him when he first comes in to suggest a new book that they think he might enjoy. Once one told him of a book signing of Brian Jacques, a favorite author of his from the UK, who was coming to the Dayton area! The size of our little library is very deceiving as so much happens here. The older kids have perfected the art of requesting items online as well. We are so grateful for this resource available to us.
We were able to spend a few fun days with the Kinsey's from FL. It was fun catching up on each others' lives and for the kids to play with their friends they have known since before they were born! :)
We are enjoying lots of fresh items from our garden now. Kris made an incredible salad for lunch today. He even picked some blackberries to go with it. Our birch trees seem to be growing well with the exception of two that looked a little doubtful when we planted them. They are still looking questionable but not hopeless at the moment. Growing things seems to reflect life this summer. Unexpected setbacks, unplanned volunteer plants emerging, and making the most of what is at hand seem to be the theme for our garden and beyond.
Have a great day.

Teen Food Art

While in NY Kristianna, Melyssa, Kelci, and Cerianne made two strawberry rhubarb pie. Kristianna and Melyssa decorated these! Hope they make you smile as well.

Home again...

A quick update... We are home after seeing 9 states in 8 days! By the looks of our garden we have been gone a month and we sort of feel that way ourselves. It is good to be home. Now off to do some unpacking, laundry, weeding, work, etc.