Ward and June Cleaver

No kidding.  Our dear friends, Chris and Linda, are the living reincarnation of Ward and June Cleaver. We show up to their house for dinner and the house is immaculate.  Dinner is amazing - homemade meal made effortlessly. Music is playing in the background.  The dog is sitting contentedly at Chris's feet.  Linda is dressed up with her hair and nails done. Chris is host extraordinaire. Their hospitality is impeccable!  We had dinner, they cared for us, gave us counsel, and then took us out to the deck for even more ambiance.  There was a canopied section with a chandelier hanging.  Chris lit candles and brought out a fan.  Carefully tended flowers were placed strategically all over the deck to create a haven of nature. Chris lit tiki torches to keep the bugs away.  He brought the music out with us.  He taught Danny how to smoke a cigar, and they both lazily puffed away while chatting with their wives.  All I can say is that this evening and these two are PURE CLASS.  We are truly blessed to call them friends.

Dan the Man

Goin' for a Sunday ride in his car.  Ah the sweet joys in life. 

Matt and Maria

A beautiful couple.

So proud of my handsome son.  

Jefferson Bethke Night

The night was just as wonderful and uplifting as we had hoped!  Even better!

We drove up and ate dinner at a local restaurant/bar that had pretty amazing food.

Rhino Fries!

Here is a shot of Jacob and Hannah outside the church on our way in.

 The most beautiful, contemporary church we had ever seen - it was really incredible!  Wish it wasn't so far away...

The man himself signing autographs in his book.

It was a real treat to be able to get this picture of Jacob and Hannah with Jeff!

Outing with Jacob and Hannah

 Today I am heading up to PA with Jacob and Hannah to see Jefferson Bethke preach!  We have been fans of his for a couple of years now, and I anticipate a really fun day out with these two!  Trying to make memories and squeeze in meaningful moments.  It's wonderful (and rare) when that can coincide with some spiritual refreshment as well!

Jacob helping Grandpa

This is an older shot (all of about three weeks ago!) but it is a great picture of Jacob helping grandpa get set up on his new computer.  

Two great minds working together.

Epic.

Gaming

Midnight visit to Jacob's room and this is what I found. Late night gaming. Oh how I will miss these moments. Cannot even go there...

Two sweeties

This was oh so long ago, when they were about four.

Now they are sixteen... where did the time go??

Masterpiece

Today we stopped in at Mrs. Lebo's house to pick up Hannah's final masterpiece.  She has been with Callie for many years, and this was the last piece she was doing with her.  We stopped and picked up some flowers and a gift card on our way.

Isn't this just an amazing, glorious, genius masterpiece??  Hannah is so very talented.

Dinner with Friends

Tonight we traveled to Frederick to have dinner with this wonderful couple - Chris and Kathy, who have been our very dear friends for a very long time.  Went to Carabbas for dinner and then had a nice bonfire out on their deck and sat around and talked some more.  I miss them...

Summer Celebration 2014

 Today Jacob and Hannah wrapped up serving for Summer Celebration 2014!  A full week of early mornings, little ones excited to be there, worship, a million questions, bathroom breaks, water breaks,  and overseeing games.  Jacob's team got two of the major character awards on his recommendation and write-up!  

These two teens are literally exhausted.

Visiting the old office

Danny and I had a date tonight and drove past the old Dustin office.  We saw that some of the old signs were still there, and also I noticed a motorcycle in the window, so we went and did some investigating. Obviously they tore out the guts of the office and replaced it with a motorcycle shop!

Rifle Practice

Tonight it was my turn to take the kids to shooting so Danny could go out with some friends.  I didn't mind at all, except that it was in the 90's and extremely humid.

This man made a really nice, heavy metal ammo box for each of the shooters on the team and he handed them out tonight.  SO SO nice.

 Taking a drink break from the heat

This guy

Always cute.  Always cuddly.  Always willing to give love.

School books have arrived!

My favorite day of the entire year!  The school book order arrived and I got to look through all the new, crisp pages in anticipation of what everyone will learn next year.  It has ALWAYS been my favorite part of homeschooling.  The books arriving at the front door, and then opening up the box and tenderly lifting out the sleek, new books and carefully opening the pages for the first time.  It all goes downhill from here... haha

Also, this was a very sad order, as there are no books for Jacob... it made me realize how sad I am that the joy of watching him learn is over for me.  I have no idea how I will ever survive when my very last one is done. 

Arizona

Our trip to Arizona is complete and we are back home again!  Here are a few shots of our time there.

Downtown

One of the lakes near Jacob's college

Our cool rental car

Prescott Valley Days Fair

View from the sky

(All photos but one courtesy of Hannah)

View from our hotel room in Prescott

My thought for the day

The cry of my desperate soul, like a dry, cracked desert needing water, longing for moments to curl up  and have nothing else demanding my time but a good book.  Hoping there are books in heaven!  With coffee!!

Cupcakes and cookies!

Today we finished up making the cupcakes for a friends graduation party and took them over with the cookies.  Hannah did a beautiful job!!

 

My Dapper Dan

My handsome husband looking all "dapper" as he heads out to drive his classic car.

Boys day out and Girls day out

Today Dad and the boys went to a gun show, while the girls did some shopping!

Hannah and I went out and used my Mothers Day gift card and purchased a much needed new set of dishes!  Here is dinner leftovers on the new plate. I love them...