Cuz we're cuzzins

This is my cousin, Patty. She and I are almost the exact same age. Our birthdays are 3 days apart. She came up to visit me recently. The last time we'd seen each other was on my wedding day (20 years ago). We were best friends from about 10 years old to about 13 years old. Every time I see her, we're just back to the same old friendship. She's one of the bravest and sweetest people I know. She has spent much of her life being sick and going to hospitals and doctors and she has kept her sweet smile and good humor thru it all. I really loved seeing her and we're hoping to do it again soon.

Scotty's Landing

We got to hear our good friends' daughter sing this weekend at a Honky Tonkin festival at Scotty's Landing on Sunday. She was great as usual. She just belts it out and talks to her audience and amazes everyone cause she's only 17 but already a rising star! It was fun and a huge eye opener since I'd never been on River Road on Labor Day weekend. I've seen it in the paper and all the arrests and such but wow! what a mess! College kids everywhere drunk and walkin in the road and being obnoxious. My kids got an eyefull and earsfull of the drunken college life. I told them that there are actually kids out there that tube on the river and don't get wasted and tatooed and lose their shoes and get arrested but they didn't look very convinced and couldn't wait until we got out of the crowds and back home. I know. Someday they might even be craving that kind of junk but I guess I rely on Jesus to wrap up and take care of their futures.

Roping Lesson

We all got roping lessons at the Brannans too. Everybody was finally successful and then the poor dog was getting roped and I was getting roped and we had to all run for the hills cause it HURT! Like how I have to keep posting pics of these last adventure? It's because I don't have anything recent!! Got to get out and get some pics. School's going well, praise the Lord! It's a little easier now that Christopher's been in class on Tues and Thurs. We miss him though and ask him about everything as soon as he gets home!

Revenge of the Robot

Finally, Christopher had a project to do and be entertained with. He is always needing something to build. I wonder what it'll be when he's a full grown man. He starts with Legos and now it's robots. The price tag is going up!! He's now trying to sell it on EBAY. I'm proud of him and he's very excited about it. I wish that he had more of the same kinds of things to make on a regular basis. We'll see what God brings for him to do next...

Sailing Shots

I don't know what happened but these didn't show up in the blog I just wrote. They went off to the land of blog, I guess.

Sailin and Shootin

Had the best time this summer at Sailing Camp. The teacher was great, the weather was perfect. Perfect activity for boys - captains of their own "ships".

We also had the great experience of shooting up in the mountains above Williams with the Brannans. Dave has been in the military and is a Range Master and has taught shooting so he was a great example to the boys. He told them how "killing isn't pretty and not at all like in movies. It's ugly and scary and disgusting to see someone die that way so hold your gun like this when you're around me or I'll deck ya!" What a gift to have someone else to mentor them. I even shot a gun too. My hands were shaking sooo bad, but I really liked it. I guess there just isn't any hope of tea parties and shopping in this family!

Sweet Slumber

Did I ever mention that our dog has never slept in our bed or been on the furniture in our house? Well, when we're camping, the kids will occasionally pull her onto the bed in our trailer and she feels like a queen! Here's a shot of that. She's still a little nervous thinking she must be doing something wrong.