Portsmouth Navy Base Museum

We headed to Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Daves to say hello and visit the museum on the Navy base.  What an amazing experience!  We were the only ones in the museum and were so honored to have veterans to tell us some of the amazing stories of the people and equipment that we saw on display.  One veteran was 92 years old ...he was very sweet and the  kids just loved his stories.

One very special display was on the Squalus...if you've never read, "The Terrible Hours"...I would highly recommend it.  

Building Projects

Our kids love to do building projects!  It lets them show off some of the great skills they've learned and have a bit of fun...and lets mom brag on them a bit!

One thing they love to do even more than that is play Gaga ball....officially called Israeli Dodge Ball...they love the competition and our kids are very competitive!

Recently, we got the idea to build our own Gaga pit....we also had several other projects...some which are still in motion that we used some extra supplies and built an arbor for the side year.  The plan for that is to have the kids build bird houses and place them on top as the finish.  They did an awesome job on both!

A Fun Visit

we love when Jess comes to visit!  We miss her so much but know she is right where God has called her.  We love when she brings Skyler along too...what precious times with this darling around!  Love you guys!

Jess is always helping out with our pony...she is a great farrier!

We love her smiles and giggles!

Dance Time

These girls have worked super hard in the past month!  They did awesome at their recital at Dance Visions Network.

We are SO proud of them!

Timber Framing

Ben and Brandon have been working on the Timber Framing class at Jesse Remington High School.  They take a few classes to enhance their home school program.  It has been an amazing place for community, instruction and growth for our children.

The week of Memorial Day, they put the project up on Cow Island....a two story cabin!  All the timbers and people had to be ferried across the lake to be put up.  They were SO excited to be a part of the team!

Memorial Day Weekend

As is tradition for the past servers years, Darrell headed to the Father Son camp with Alert Cadet—he took 7 of our boys and 2 boys he mentors.  They had quite the load as they pulled out of the driveway on Thursday.

They cut wood as a service project, climbed Mt. Monadnock, challenged one another in their faith,  practiced skills for survival, had campfires and lots of yummy food.  It was so encouraging to

hear of their adventures on Sunday afternoon and the excitement they had for the men and sons they met and reconnected with and the adventures and service they accomplished.

While they went on their adventures, Michaela graciously held the fort down for us with taking care of the dogs and horses...we were very grateful for her servants heart.

The three younger girls and I headed to our daughter, Jess’s house for a few days.  We snuggled with Skyler, went for walks, the girls got to go horseback riding and just sharing time with one  another.  It was a sweet time together.

On Monday, Brandon and Ben headed to the Lakes region where they helped their Timber Framing class finish a build on cow Island.  They were so excited to go help on the two story cabin.  They had a bit of fun swimming in the cold lake, and hanging out with their classmates too.

Kiara and I headed to our town celebrations Memorial Day parade.  It was an amazing celebration of our armed forces men and women.  She marched in the parade with a group from the Miss Raymond Scholarship Pageant.  She did a great job as did the other girls on a super warm morning.

Here I am!

It has been long ...I’ve been plagued with computer issues and app issues.  It kind of stinks but I want to say I am trying something new...let’s hope it works because I sure miss being here.

Above is a beautiful stained glass piece that Sara made for me for me for Mother’s Day...isn’t it beautiful!

Brandon playing his first game of Lacrosse for Jesse Remington High School where he takes a few classes to add to our home school.