Joshua's new sandbox! The tractor tire was given to us, and Colby brought the sand and filled it up for him while we were in Indiana. He LOVES it! Every time he can sneak outside he goes straight to the sandbox and climbs in with his "BIG gucks" and "BIG trat-ters". He only knows one adjective and so everything is BIG! It means he likes it. When we were in Indiana he kept going around pointing to Kayla and saying "Kaya, BIG Kaya!" I don't think Kayla appreciated it much!  

This is my husband, as close to shaving off his beard as possible (trimmed down to maybe 1/8"). The last time it was this short was about 3 years ago! July 24, 2005. 

We sat out on the tailgate of the truck at the end of the driveway and the fireworks were so close they seemed like they were going to fall on us! July 23, 2005. 

Our generous neighbors put on an incredible fireworks show every year a couple of weeks after the 4th. This year they went for about 40 minutes and was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Everyone here who came to watch said it was better than Torch Lake's fireworks! July 23, 2005. 

The first fruits of my garden this year! I'm so excited about it! These are actually the first zucchini's and summer squashes I've ever grown for myself! Picked July 16, 2005. 

On a 92 degree Sabbath Day, after potluck, when the air was so humid it formed rain drops, we baptized three new members into our little congregation! Here we are singing, waiting for them to get ready. One was Grandma J's youngest sister, Val, and Val's grandson Donovan, who is actually Joshua's 17th cousin on MY side of the family! And also Aunt Nan's grandson Tyler. Praise the Lord! It was a hot day, but a GOOD day! July 16, 2005. 

Joshua walking through the kitchen in a diaper and Daddy's boots, before church, July 16, 2005. 

My corn is getting tall! It's doing a lot better this year than it did last time I tried. The tomato plants are just outside the picture on the right, and the squash plants and cucumbers are in the back. And yes, that is a big area in the middle where nothing at all is planted! July 14, 2005. 

My yellow squash plant! It has many many little squashes on it, but this is the biggest one so far. July 14, 2005. 

Again, at the south end of the lake, near the T.R. bridge and the boat ramp, looking kind of northeast. The white line out there is actually the local "Redneck Yacht Club". Those are boats lined up on the sand bar. The water is only waist deep (on me!) For at least a half mile out! July 13, 2005. 

The Lake, near the south end, looking east. July 13, 2005. 

This was as close as I could get to capturing the way the rainbow framed the granary and encompassed the valley. But no picture could do justice to the picture God painted for us tonight! July 12, 2005. 

Our rainbow at sunset over the barn. It was really incredible! There was a double rainbow, but you can barely see it in the picture. It went from one side of our valley to the next, and was a wonderful reminder of our Lord's promises. What a blessing! 

Our little Twerty, taken September 2004. He's a Yorkie/Daschund mix. He was rescued from the back of a pickup truck on a cold January night 2001 (with permission from the neglectful owners) by friends of ours who then gave him to us. He was born approximately May 15, 2000. We are hoping to find a female of a similar mix to breed him with. 

New Trivia Game!

Hey, I discovered this trivia game that I could add right to my blog! Click on the link and go start in on our tournament! This first quiz I only got 5/10 right!

Good Luck!

My tummy at 22 weeks, July 8, 2005. 

Josh's new truck. July 8, 2005. 

Our front yard, shaded by the Black Walnut trees. You can just see our garden straight back, beside the fruit trees. July 5, 2005. 

Round bales in the back of our field, looking west towards the house. Hay was cut July 3, 2005. 

Looking north at our house, July 5, 2005. 

Joshua's 4th of July meal! 

Heading into the Mayhen swamp to retrieve a F150 that had been stuck in there for 2 nights. We tried to pull it out with Josh's truck (1997? F250 w/35" tires) but that didn't work because his hubs were broken. Tried with Colby's truck (2002 3500 Dodge dually) Too heavy, sinks in mud like brick. Then we tried with Gary's truck (1997 F250 crew cab, short box w/ pizza cutter tires) Too much torque, not enough horsepower. Then, we tried LISA'S TRUCK! (1992 Explorer w/31x10.50 BFGs) and what do you know? Pulled it out from the mud pit it was initially stuck in, then continued to pull it through the next 2 holes because the 4WD had broken on it while trying to get it unstuck. No, it wasn't me driving - Colby was!! Friday, July 1, 2005. 

Sunset through the Michigan haze. The sun actually looked like it was blood red. June 30, 2005. 

Angie's bridal shower (Colby's 2nd cousin) June 26, 2005. 

More wild clouds over Acme. They gave the impression of "boiling" when watching them. That day a funnel cloud was spotted over one of the lakes in the area. June 27, 2005. 

Wild clouds over Acme. June 27, 2005