And then there were 2!

Our first day of school this year ....Becca and Devon started their school year in early September.  Perhaps one of the earliest years to date.  It has been a long time since I had only 2 students.  They start their year as freshman.

                                       Becca loves to read and is good at English. 

                      Devon (and Hope) loves math and learning about fixing things.

                        And we are off to a good start!  Excited for the school year!
 

Kiara’s 19th birthday

Happy birthday to this kiddo!  We were so fortunate to have her home to celebrate.  She didn't disappoint and asked for her favorites-chicken noodle soup.  Have to admit that cake was delicious!

 

Kiara’s Graduation Photos

Kiara and I headed off on a photo adventure.  My girl with the constant smile loved being the center of attention and had some fun ideas about her photos.  The above photo was at our train station and was a request of hers.  So fun!

The stockades as well as some funny jumping pictures were her big idea.  We laughed until we cried. 

This is the door I used in the boys shot and I had to use it here too!  Love it!

 We visited the Common, the Raymond train station, Onway Lake and did some shots in the woods at home.  Such a fun time and we had great photos too!

LTC Camp

So while I was in PA at my folks place, Jacob and Michael were at the NH LTC Alert Cadet camp.  It was Jacob's first time in leadership and Michael's first time being at the First Aid Camp.  This shot was sent to me by a friend of both of my boys encouraging each other as is tradition at the last formation.

Lots of scenerios for the sons to practice their skills.  Michael's car was included too.  See the hand on the ground?!?  Fun stuff for sure and they love making blood to go with it all.

                                                         Hooray Cadet Men!

Lancaster, PA- Week 3

Another week spent in Lancaster, PA hanging out with my folks while my sister traveled.  This time, Michaela and Gabby joined us for the week.  We spent time in the pool!

         Some of the kids headed to Oma and Suzy's house to visit with them too!

We took an Amish Buggy ride with the kids and played on the playground while we waited.  It was a cool spot on a muggy morning. 

Our ride was lovely and Becca got to drive a bit.  Our host was fun and chatty.  She answered my many questions and told us about how the Amish in Lancaster Country are moving away from farming and starting to own businesses.  They are also putting up greenhouses to have produce year round.

We all had fun celebrating Opa's 85th birthday.  We had carrot cake for him but waited until Jason arrived to do a bigger celebration. Ham loaf, noodles and whoopee pies all were a big part of it.  We tried a shoofly pie whoopee pie and all we could say was mmmmmmmmmmm!

 A fun photo of everyone before we headed out.  The crew had a fun week!  We headed home and arrived late that night.

Graduation Photos—for at least 2 of them!

We have 3 graduates this year!  Here are some shots of Jacob and Joe's photos.  We had fun together on our photo shoot and there were lots of giggles and laughter!

We always ask the kids where they want to go and of course I have some ideas of my own.  We were disappointed with one spot but loved Onway Lake, the Town Common and the train station!

Darrell loves trains and loves these photos of the kids at the station and on the Raymond trains.

     I love the architecture of the train station and it provides so many fun backgrounds!

This year I discovered this door and its unique handle.  I knew it had to be a part of the photos and it has so many fun meanings we could apply to our graduates.

                                     And of course, we had to have some more fun! 

 Looking forward to see where God leads these two guys!  It is shaping up to be a great adventure!

Can a Horse Smile?

Well, yes, she can!  We started some ground driving with Spirit while we work on a cart that we recently acquired.  This is certainly her first love.  She was a cart horse in Lancaster County, PA before being shipped to a breeding program in NY and then to NH where we purchased her.  I can't wait to try her driving skills.  Devon is doing the training with me.  He is also excited!

And then this horse makes me smile because it was Michaela's when she was 2.  And now, Gabby is loving it!  How sweet it is!