Camp Week, Part 2 (Girl Version)

Ava and Maya had a fun time at Vacation Bible School at a nearby church this week while the boys were away. This was Maya's first time to go to VBS and she loved it! They learned new songs and Bible verses, made new friends, as well as spent time with old ones, made cool crafts (including the neat garden stones shown below) and had fun at the end of the week program, lunch and game day. They also participated in raising an incredible amount of money to send some local under-privileged kids to camp! Praise God!

Emma had quite a different week without any of her siblings home in the mornings! Strange, indeed. She spent time resting, reading, watching movies, playing Wii with Bob and helping me clean and get some things organized.

It was a crazy-hot week but soccer carried on, as usual.

She and Bob also enjoyed a daddy-daughter date to lunch and our local art museum!

Many blessings!

Camp Week, Part 1

Both of the boys went to camp this week. Austin was a part of Discovery Camp, an overnight camp at Circle Square Ranch from Sunday to Saturday. Ben was at the same camp but for day camp, Monday through Friday. Both of them had a fabulous time and are already talking about 'next year'!

Austin and our friend, Zach, getting settled in to their cabin...

The little girls, especially Ava, loved the horses...

On Friday, the day camp families were able to go and see the end of the week rodeo...

Ben's group won Group of the Week!

And he won Camper of the Week!!!

We're so proud of you, Buddy!!!

Then on Saturday, we were able to go for Austin's rodeo and end of the week fun...

Austin's race was to ride down and burst a water balloon over one of the counselor's heads.

He enjoyed getting his counselor, Kristian...

And Austin's group also won Group of the Week!!!Woohooo!

Are we happy to see him or what!?!?
And doesn't he look older and about 5 shades more tan?
Ahh, my mama heart is so full!
And even more full!
We are thankful for our incredible boys and that God blessed them with such a great week, in spite of the extreme heat! Thanks, too, to the great staff at Circle Square for taking care of them and giving them such a memorable time.

Many blessings!

Fresh Produce

We just joined a local CSA and received our first order this week. Oh my! I am so happy to support our local farmers and thrilled to have such beautiful veggies and fruit to give to my family. We have planted a few vegetables plus watermelon and cantaloupe in our garden, but we won't be able to harvest anything until later in the summer.

In the meantime, we are enjoying these delicious goodies...

Here are some links for eating local, etc.

Ontario CSAs

Pick Your Own

Edible Communities

Local Harvest

Now I just need to find a good recipe for beets! I loved my grandma's pickled beets. Maybe I could do something something similar. Any suggestions? Please comment.

Many summer blessings!