Author: Joyce

Love Notes

Since he was little, Mark has collected colorful leaves for me. Many of them are pressed between the pages of the books we were reading when he gave them to me. I was a little disappointed I would not be getting any this year.

However, Mark was pressing leaves he found while walking around campus.  He often put them in his shirts button hole till he got to his dorm so he would not lose them.

This weekend we were at Cedarville for home coming.  He presented me with a folder. With it was one essay he was especially proud of (and it was very good!) and leaves he had saved for me.

Birthday Spoiling

Megan turned seven while we were at Camp Patmos.  She spent the whole day getting spoiled!  We started the day by getting some pictures of the birthday girl.Then we went in to help serve breakfast.  Megan was surprised with a birthday crown and everyone singing happy birthday to her.

Of course, we needed more pictures.

We worked and played hard. After dinner, she was presented with a pink strawberry cake while all the staff and volunteers sang to her.

Then for chapel, Megan was asked to go to the front and the whole camp sang to her again.

When it was finally time for bed, Megan was exhausted!  She was hardly awake when I sang “happy birthday” one last time as I always do when I give them their goodnight birthday kiss.  She had a wonderful day!

 

Camp Patmos

Last weekend, we went to Camp Patmos to help out during the Banished Retreat. Allan worked in sound and the kids and I helped serve food, wash dishes and clean up around camp.  The older girls got to do a few other needed jobs also.

I had some time to take some photos and here are some of my favorites from the weekend.

Bike Ride

We have enjoyed Oxbow’s trails for many years.  I take the children often for walks, to go sledding, or to look for animals or pretty fall leaves.  Yesterday was the first time that anyone rode their bikes through our favorite paths. We will have to figure out how to get the other bikes in the car and take the other kids one day soon.

Colorado Tea Party

Many years ago, the girls started inviting relatives over for a tea party when we were in Colorado.  They wanted a chance to have fun while getting to know everyone better.  We were to dress up and wear hats.

When they were younger, they often found “dress up” clothes and shoes in the closets, but now Andrea and Audrey have outgrown most of them.  However, the hats are becoming a lot more fun.

The boys enjoy themselves also.  They go out with the uncles and explore or listen to stories the uncles share while sampling the treats the girls made.