White Sulphur Springs

The first time we went to White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania was in 1986. It was just before we moved to our new assignment at West Point. It "just so happened" that several families from West Point were at OCF's family conference center that week ~ and the adventure began. We spent many weeks at WSS ~ with cadets, at tennis camp, on vacation. Aimee attended the first Allegheny Outback way back when. Lots of memories....lots of time on the wrap around porch of the old Harrison House talking and catching up on one of the handmade rockers.

This year we made a trek back to WSS with the Marx Family (who also have a long history of times at WSS as their boys were growing up and now as they bring their granddaughters to spend the week each summer as they are growing up) the week after Christmas. It was a great time...seeing old friends, meeting new ones, horseback riding, hiking, bowling, square dancing and line dancing in the old barn, and trying out the climbing wall. Never a dull moment. We enjoyed the worship and great sessions with meaningful, challenging, transformative teaching by Greg St. Cyr.

Just this summer the new facility, Heritage House, was dedicated and opened. What a beautiful facility ~ so nicely done, spacious, and modern. While most of us miss the quaint old Harrison House, the new facility is fabulous and allows lots more families to come each week.

Happy Birthday, Oma!

I celebrated my 64th birthday at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, eating pizza for lunch and tubing all afternoon with Andy, Aimee, Gary, Faith, and Avery! What a great birthday party! Weather was mild with no wind ~ the sun was out part of the time and a few snow flakes came down through the afternoon.

Tubing is Avery's favorite winter activity ~ she just loves the wind in her face and smiles and/or giggles all the way down the mountain. Faith would have liked to ski but we weren't sure there would be enough snow. Both girls went non stop up and down the mountain for the full 2 hours ~ never asked for a break.

On the way home we stopped at the moving Flight 93 National Memorial. It was simple and beautiful, a fitting tribute to 40 people who made the ultimate sacrifice. "A common field one day. A field of honor forever."

Nothing Like It...

Nothing like being with family at Thanksgiving!

This year we were in Colorado with Joel, Sarah, Anders (3) and Cade (16 months). We had great weather and a fun time together. On Monday we moved Cade up from the nursery to his big boy room and Joel/Sarah's office down to the former nursery. It's all up and running, complete with decorated walls! A good job done.

Another day we spent the morning at Denver's new IKEA...lots of great ideas! We also visited dear friends...Dan and Julie in their newly renovated kitchen/living space, and Larry, Fran and Bekah at Chick fil a.

On Friday before we left for home, we spent the morning at the Denver Zoo. What a great place!

Thanksgiving was a relaxing day at home. We fed the boys at noon and put them down for naps. Then finished up the food prep and enjoyed a nice quiet turkey dinner!

The Denver Zoo

Black Friday is a GREAT day to visit the Zoo in Denver!

Not too many people...and it is cool so the animals are active!

Happy Thanksgiving

How did this NOT get published??? This is Thanksgiving in 2009 at Aimee and Gary's home in Virginia. It's when we all found out that Ander's was going to be a big brother in July. I uploaded the pictures but never got them posted. So, here they are ~ looks like we had a great time together!

First Adventures in Georgia!

In June, Aimee and Gary moved to Georgia for Gary's new job as Executive Director of Faith and Freedom Coalition!  It was a very busy time for them but they are happy in their new setting.  We finally made it down to see them in September...and love their new home, housing area, and the beautiful hills of Georgia.  We will spend years getting to know the Atlanta area ~ with so very much to see and do.

We made one trip down to Atlanta on Saturday during our stay ~ and enjoyed the Georgia Aquariam.  On Sunday afternoon we drove up into the mountains for a great afternoon of apple picking.  We were able to see Faith play soccer, tennis lessons for the girls, visit their new church and elementary school...it was a whirlwind trip and great fun. 

Sheboygan and the Last Leg Home

We had been hearing/reading about a big front moving into the north end of the lake on Saturday night...and decided we wanted to get back to Manitowoc before it  settled in.  We would have been caught for 3-4 days if we did not make it.  So, we dropped Waukegan from our plan for the way home and headed directly across the lake to Racine on Thursday.  It was a direct shot out in open water...64 miles into the wind all day, taking 8 1/2 hours.  We stayed at Reefpoint Marina in Racine.

The next morning we left fairly early to head for Port Washington.  For about 2-3 hours we experienced high wave action and gusts up to 33 mph.  It was, shall I say, exciting?!?  Andy thought it best, at one point, to head toward Milwaukee and get on the leeward shore to be a bit more protected from the wind and waves.  To our delight, the wind subsided, the waves laid flat, and we were on our way to Port Washington in good time.  When we got there it was early and we decided  to make a run for Sheboygan ~ a total of 74 miles for the day.  We got there as the sun was setting and were grateful for only a 26 mile sail left for Saturday.  We were pretty weary when we arrived at the Harbor Centre Marina and chose to have dinner close by at the Yacht Club...windblown and a little ratty looking after 11 hours on the water.

Saturday morning we woke up and found ourselves completely socked in with dense fog.  I took a long walk along the river and down Main Street, discovering the big open farmer's market in a park in the middle of town.  Lots of local color there.
By about 11:30 the fog had lifted but not completely.  We decided to head out and see what it was like.  It was a little scary for about 45 minutes....at one point a fishing boat appeared, speeding toward us out of the fog.  A few minutes later we were right on top of a 5-6 foot buoy marker that was just suddenly there!  Finally, we sailed out of the fog and had a clear 4 hour sail to Manitowoc. 
It was a great trip, but we were glad to be "home" before the storm.

We saw the mighty and powerful hand of God in the winds and the waves along the way.  It always reminds us of how small and insignificant we are. 
We are grateful for his guidance and protection along the journey.