Fall...

...my FAVORITE season!

Spirit Week

Spirit week gave the fifteen year old several opportunities to show her LC spirit. There was black & white day, fashion disaster day, an 80's day, movie day, and blue & white day. On Friday she was choosen as the "Sophmore Princess" by LC's Student Council.

I love her randomness...

"MARA" Means Bitter

In the Bible the word "MARA" (marah) means bitter. For the fifteen year old the word MARA also means bitter. Today she had a MARA installed in her mouth as a part of her orthodontic journey. It was a gruesome adventure...and her mouth is incredibly sore, but it's in and she's a trouper!

Actually MARA stands for "Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance". It was installed to correct her overbite. She will now endure 18 months with her MARA, and all I can say is it had better be worth it!

Where Wilson Chills

This is Wilson's new favorite place to chill with the fam.

Workin' & Playin'

Isaiah had school work to do now that he's in Kindergarten...

...and Elijah had playin' to do!

"Fan"tastic!!

Feeding Bert

Ok, my camera takes really bad pictures in the barn but did want to document that the boys really enjoy going out to the barn to feed Bert...and he always enjoys the attention!

...and of course the hay!

For Isaiah the best part is climbing around on the hay, and it was stacked in such a way that he could throw hay over the top to Bert...or should I say "on" Bert!

Getting Ready for the Boys!

The boys are staying with us for a few days so I rearranged my living room furniture to make a play are for each of them

This is Elijah's toyland...

...and this is Isaiah's Legoland!

Pumpkins of Fall

I've enjoyed watching the pumpkins in the neighbors patch turn orange and just had to get a picture.

A St. Louis Sunrise

Waiting this morning for my plane I watched the sun come up at the airport and it was amazing!

She's In To Bracelets....

Self-Portrait

Every now and then the fifteen year old feels the need for another self-portrait.

Memories of Grandpa Likkel

Britt noticed Grandma Likkel wasn't using this shed to store her lawnmower in any more so he asked if he could load it up and take it to his house...and she happily let him. This little storage shed has many memories for Britt.

When Britt was a young boy Grandpa Likkel built it...and he let Britt help. It means so much for him to have it now as a memory of the many wonderful days spent with Grandpa working on the farm. In many wonderful ways those farm days were foundational in Britt's life. He honed many life skills working side by side with Grandpa.

Labor Day Weekend BBQ

From this...

...to this! And it was oh so good!

Outlaw Weekend at Skagit Speedway

The guys hit Skagit Speedway Saturday nite for the World of Outlaws traveling sprint car series. This was Ryan, Sam, Max and Jack's first race and they all had a blast!

Fall Napkins

OK, so random...but I'm really loving my new fall napkins!

Sophmore!!

First day of school for the fifteen year old. Sophmore year is so gonna rock!

Catalyst One Day - Seattle

Very special day Catalyst One Day Seattle with Ross, Taya, and the staff from Campus Crusade/Family Life/Power to Change Canada.

Andy Stanley...so my hero dude!

Andy & Craig Groeschel

Micah Smith, Andy & Mark Driscoll

Watering Trees on Eagle Ridge West

Gary has over 100 trees planted out at Eagle Ridge West. He loves those tree and has practically given them names. All summer he has to keep them watered. Last year he hauled water from our house to do this, but this year he had a pump put in our well there which makes it so much easier.

On this ubber hot evening Taryn & Bert rode out to the property to visit with him while he watered. Even Bert got a drink which was hilarious!

Dreaming....

Even Bert dreams of a ranch on Eagle Ridge West. sigh!

Poffertjes!

It was a great year for Poffertjes at the Northwest Washington Fair. And this was the sweetest little girl watching them being made on the grill

Taryn & Bert Take Blue At The Fair!

While he looks fairly content in this picture Bert was a really grumpy horse after several days standing in this stall at the fair. Taryn & Bert showed on Tuesday for FFA (where these ribbons are from) and on Thursday in the open horse show.

Taryn & Bert's year in review poster.

Bert's Stall Card

Primary Election Night

We spent election night watching returns come in with our friend Paul Akers, valiant candidate for the U.S. Senate. While Paul didn't win the primary we are so proud of the race he ran.

A principled man with a servants heart and an honorable message.
Thanks Paul!

Random Things You See At The Fair

...an elephant made of fruits & vegtables

...a holstein cow on the roof of the dairy barn

...cotton candy & carmel apples

...the ferris wheel

...hats for sale

...cute country displays

....a patriotic Shire drill teams prepared to enter the grandstand show

Becca's Wonderful Wedding!

Did I happen to mention it was pouring down rain??

This was our view till the ceremony started. Miraculously the reain let up and the umbrellas came down for the rest of the ceremony - such a God-thing!

I must say we had the BEST umbrella. Isn't it fun!!

Here comes the beautiful bride...on the arm of her very proud daddy!

A perfect aisle...

A perfect ceremony...

Ron & Audrey, very happy parents of a very happy bride!

This is the first wedding reception held in a horse corral that I've ever been to...and it was PERFECT...even in the rain!

Could these two be ANY happier!

And how beautiful is this - the bridal table at the reception. Love this picture!

Ok, I will admit this took me over the edge a bit. The bare, wet, man-feet of groomsmen in formal tuxes messed with my head. It just did.

...and they lived happily ever after! Love you Bec!!