Summer Snapshots

Summer for us began June 4^th, 2011.  Not only was it a magnificently glorious, sunny day, but it was the best day of our lives so far as we gathered with over 250 family and friends to commit ourselves to each other before God.

As we drove off from the wedding, we began our honeymoon road trip.  We spent the first night in downtown Seattle at the luxurious, historic Sorrento Hotel after a near-death (not really) experience on the Seattle waterfront involving a horse and a dog the size of a horse (story to be told at a later date).  The next day, we drove a couple hours to the Olympic Peninsula, where we spent three days on Marrowstone Island at the Honeymoon Cabin, a beautifully decorated little house nestled in a gorgeous foresty setting.  The best part was that the kitchen was fully-stocked with generous supplies for us to cook breakfast, bake sweet treats, and grill steaks!  

While on the island, we also enjoyed a 10 mile bike ride, along the way visiting the beach and historic Fort Flagler.  From there, we took the Port Angeles ferry onto foreign soil where we explored Victoria and took another ferry to Mayne Island.  While there, we stayed at the Oceanwood Country Inn and explored the island via moped.  We traveled back to my parents' home and crossed the state two days later to Deer Park.

We welcomed my brother Zach and his friend Andrew for the 4^th of July weekend.  Caleb’s family has organized a God and Country concert for the past thirteen years on 4^th of July, involving their entire family plus dozens of church and community musicians to make up a chorus and orchestra.  Zach and I have driven over to participate in this concert for the past three or four years, so it was different this year to be hosting Zach instead of traveling with him.  We had an old-fashioned picnic at the park during the day, then performed in the evening and watched the town fireworks.

In mid-July, Caleb and I hosted a Backyard Bible Club at our house, assisted by two ladies from our church.  Spread out across town, our church hosted Bible clubs at three locations in different neighborhoods to take VBS to the kids.  Caleb led the games and music while I taught the Bible lesson.  On our highest day of attendance, we had thirteen kids participate and a daily average of about seven.  

Overlapping a few days with the Bible club, my eight-year-old brother Tim got to come visit us for a week by himself.  We had a blast together and the week flew by as we worked in the yard, swam at the pool, and experienced many amusement park rides for the first time at Silverwood Theme Park (thanks to sister-in-law Rebekah for winning free tickets!).  As a hostess gift, Tim brought along some green bean seeds which he planted for us and of which we are still reaping the harvest.

At the end of July, Caleb and I led our church youth group on a mission trip to Rathdrum, Idaho.  We helped with Vacation Bible School, service projects, and a youth outreach event. 

Not long after arriving home from the mission trip, we left town again, this time to help staff Odyssey Children’s Camp.  Caleb headed up the music and recreation portions of camp while I led the 3^rd grade girls Bible study and operated the video projection system.  Although we were exhausted, we had a lot of fun!

August was a month of car searching and job searching. In-between, we enjoyed soaking up summer—fresh corn-on-the-cob, evening bike rides, concerts at the park, church picnic, and young adult group camping trip.  And now it is October!