I Heart Rogue Valley

 Our family joined many other from our church and other churches around the the valley to participate in I Heart Rogue Valley this morning, and we look forward to hearing Nick Vujicic speak this evening.

 Our project was to paint benches, tables, garbage cans, and signs up on one of the local hiking paths.

Here are David and Caleb working on one of the benches.

You might notice the quantity of paint on both Caleb and his friend Cora, I think there was a little paint fight going on there !

 My friend, Nichele, Hannah and I repainted this really old sign that was barely legible.

We were thankful we were mostly on the shady side :)

Though you can't see it here, Hannah decided to paint her arms mostly white while I was not looking--She looked like my little Oreo.

Fun day, now looking forward to hearing Nick Vujicic speak tonight.  If you do not know who he is, please watch the video and be encouraged. 

A Baptism

 Caleb decided a month ago that he wanted to get baptized.  He accepted the Lord a few years ago during our home group and has just decided he was ready for this step.

 David spent some time with him making sure he understood what it meant.  Pastor Dale spoke with him also.

 And here is our brave boy going first, he was very nervous.

 But very excited to be making this step.

David and I are very excited for what God has in store for this young man.  It has been a struggle for him to get past so much fear to get to this point.  And to learn to trust in a level that would allow him to trust God with his whole life.  We continue to pray that he may grow into a strong young man who lives for Christ.

Happy Late Birthday

 We finally got a chance to celebrate Caleb's 12th birthday.  It was on June 22nd, but with his early summer camps and family visiting we decided to wait and he was cool with that.

 Bet you can guess what he wanted to do for his party!  

He received some money on his actual birthday, and after pushing and pushing me to spend it on this and that for a month, we were totally blessed to find 3 Nerf guns at a resale store for an amazing price that left him with money to buy some robotic bugs that were marked 40% off.

I think through this whole process he may have learned something about waiting for the deals--We can hope at least.

 Love this shot!

Looks to really be suffering under fire!

We had 8 kids from church over and they all did great together.

 Caleb's cupcakes that he decorated himself.

Happy birthday my son, you are a treasure straight from heaven.  We pray that you may continue to grow into a man after God's own heart.  We love you!

The BIG fishing trip

 Drew was home for two weeks over the 4th of July.  What a wonderful time!  They were blessed by a trip fishing with our friend Dustin who does lots of salmon fishing.

 Drew started out getting used to a fishing pole after missing out on this for so many years with his running.

 Looking like he is needing to concentrate on how to do this again.

 David showing off the first catch of the day, just posting this for size comparison.  LOL

 Dustin and David with the big trout of the day--HA HA

 Now why would they need such a big net?

 Not yet, I am enjoying teasing......

 OK, now I would say we are getting there.  Hello salmon!

 Yep, stretch him out guys make him look as big as your stories!

 Sadly, he was a native fish and had to be released.

 Preparing him to swim FREE!

 NO--NO  Don't go!!!

 Good bye little fishy!

 Off to try again, look at that pole bend.

 And it is a WHOPPER!  Look at the size of that guy!  Makes David's little trout look even littler!

 I think he is ready to swim away too---and sadly he gets to because he is another native fish.

 And Drew with his muscle man pose with the big fellow!

 David getting in on the action too!

 David's turn to catch one!  And you really have to know David to know how overly excited he gets with this kind of thing.  I believe everyone enjoys watching him go crazy praising the Lord for the experience.

 Love this one of my guys!  They sure look a lot a like in this picture.

 And here is the big guy, not as big as the last but hefty.

 David looking pretty proud of himself!

 And yes, you guessed it, also a native so back he goes........

 And the final cool off jump for the day!

The guys had a wonderful time, though they did not bring any big ones home :(   We praised the Lord for the wonderful day and the awesome experience and the memories made.

Baby Shower

 We were so blessed to have all the kids home last week!!

AMAZING!

We took the opportunity to have a baby shower for Danielle.

 Can you guess our theme at all?

They are doing his room in a baseball theme, so it seemed prudent to carry it on.

 And since lots of the decorations were edible, the little's were happy about it too.

 Isn't she beautiful!

She is pretty much hiding him here in this picture at 7 months, but you can see it better in the family pictures to come later.

The blanket behind her is the baby's quilt, that Erinn made for her.

 We are so excited for this new one coming.

I am now busy planning school schedules for Caleb, for when Hannah and I travel down to help Danielle.