Visiting with Lynne

Just recently I was able to catch up with a good friend, Lynne, who has been in China for several years for her husband's work. In this pic is Beth Puls (friend from church), Lynne, and me. Beth really helped orchestrate our getting together--thanks, Beth. It was so nice to finally see you again, Lynne!! We enjoyed talking, laughing, and even squeezed in a quick run on Beth's zip-line that her husband, Bob, created in their backyard woods. Yahoo!! (any incriminating pictures, Lynne, please hide from public view!:))
So good for the soul, again, when friends come together!! Love you Lynne and Beth!

First Camping Trip

Our first camping trip was with some of our neighbors to nearby Findley State Park. It was a fun adventure for us all. A kind stranger took this great photo of all of us before our first canoe trip around Findley Lake. Hunter and Hayden went with Jeff, and Luke, Blake and I were in another canoe. A few splashes and mad faces, but in the end we all talked about doing it again. This is where we slept for two nights!!

Luke found this interesting bug--possibly a cicada. He let it rest on his shirt while he was doing other things. He's our nature boy!

Hunter, Hayden, and Blake did a before-the-trip canoe jig. I think it helped with no tipping of the canoe, although it came close a few times.

California Cousins visit 2009

It's so good when two or more are gathered in His name!! On June 29 Jeff's brother, Mike flew from CA to Ohio with his wife, Kris, and three boys, Nathan, James, and Nicholas. We took the very same picture on July 19 before we headed to Cedar Point in 2008. So we decided to take another pic almost a year later. This time our house has furniture!! It was a wonderfully cloudy day at Cedar Point and some rain came, but the rides stayed open, and so did our spirits! We enjoyed another fun day together as a family. We love you, Mike, Kris, Nathan, James, and Nicholas!!!

Baseball Blake!!!

Aye--batter,batter,batter--aye, batter, batter,batter---SWING!! Blake cracks another one to right field!! Yahoo! Blake is a lefty, so that does make him quite unique in baseball. This is his first year, as well as the first of the boys to try baseball. He's done quite well, and just might continue with the sport

In the pic with all his teammates, Blake is actually walking on the field at Canal Park in Akron, OH. The Akron Aeros minor league team plays here, and this was Medina Youth Baseball Night. Blake was the only one chosen to go out on the field with the second baseman of the Aeros. It was quite a thrill for him to be that close to the players. Way to go Blake!!

Reunion continues...Twins come to Medina

Following June 21, I was able to visit some more with my cousin Jimmy, his wife Julie and their kids, as well as my cousin Jeff from CA and his wife and kids. It was a dark, stormy night in Ohio, but the fellowship was bright and good for the soul!! In the picture above, left, the twins, Joe and Anthony are in the middle. The pic to the upper right is my cousin Jeff, his wife Claudia and their two kids, Addie and Drew. So good to see all of you!! God bless!

Family Reunion 2009--(my mom's family)

On June 21, after Father's Day celebrations, we headed to my second cousin Jimmy's house in North Canton, OH. We celebrated Jimmy's twin boys' graduation as well. Anthony and Joe were the ring bearers for Jeff and my wedding 13 years ago!!

I'm on the right, unfortunately blocking Jeff behind me. Hunter, Luke and Blake are on the bottom right. My mom is next to me, and my nieces are in the front row in the middle, Meredith and Morgan. My cousin Jimmy is in a white shirt, next to a wonderful lady in the pink shirt. It was really a beautiful day for Ohio weather!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!! On June 21 we headed to Homeworth to do a little Father's Day celebrating. I was able to capture this smile from Jeff's dad! Hee hee not his normal smile, but it was fun to "catch" him smiling like this. Hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day, too!