Abraham Lincoln

"And that Lincoln memorial... Gee whiz! Mr Lincoln, there he is. He's just looking straight at you as you come up those steps. Just... sitting there like he was waiting for somebody to come along."

-Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Yep, that's how I felt

We read the Gettysburg Address... and yes.. I cried.

Ford's Theatre where President Lincoln was assasinated.

More Washington D.C.

Dad bought Luke a genuine replica George Washington Hat and Sword.

And this is what Luke looked like for the rest of the trip...

We were excited to see "Constitution Ave"

We're pretty easily amused...

After the Smithsonian we went to the National Archives It was truly amazing.

We saw the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and The Magna Carta among other things. Flash photography isn't allowed because of the damage the light does to the documents so I dont' have any pictures of them.

But, here's the front of the building.
And here we all are!!
The Capitol

Arlington National Cemetery which was SO MUCH bigger than I had imagined. It was very sobering to read the inscriptions and think about the men buried there and everything they sacrificed for our freedom.

Washington D.C. day one

We had so much fun on our trip out East that I think I will be posting pictures for a while!!

Our first stop was Washington D.C. and I have to tell you we were THRILLED to be there!!!

We are gigantic history buffs and we have wanted to visit our nations' capitol for a long time!!

The first day in D.C we took a metro into the city to The Smithsonian Institutian.

When we got off the metro and walked up the stairs we turned around and saw this!

It was very exciting!!

You might not know this (you probably do) but the Smithsonian is actually lots of smaller museums all laid out in a mall and together they make up the Smithosonian Institution.

We most wanted to see the National Museum of American History

We were dissapointed to discover that it was closed for remodeling and won't reopen until next summer.

But, we didn't let that deter us. It took us about 10 seconds to decide to go to the Air and Space Museum instead.

They had an incredible display devoted entirely to Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Here they are with a little 21st century friend.

And here is the actual plane that they flew at Kitty Hawk for the very first ever flight! I know, I know. It's awesome, right?

THEN! Very exciting news! Although the American History Museum was closed 150 of their "treasures" were in a special display called "Treasures of American History" at the Air and Space Museum!! Yippee!!!

We lost no time seeing that display!!

The top hat Abraham Lincoln was wearing the night he was assasinated.

George Washington's uniform.

This is getting to be a very long post so I will stop for now.

Much, MUCH more to follow, very soon!!!

home sweet home!!!

We are home from our trip out East!! Just rolled in a few hours ago... we're exhausted. But, VERY, VERY glad to be home. I loved our trip and I will have SO MANY pictures to share! We had so much fun touring Washington D.C., seeing the Statue of Liberty, visiting Getttysburg, PA... but, I must admit... I LOVE the good 'ole midwest.

I'll sort through pictures and post some soon!!! You can expect lots of history related posts coming up soon!! (My family is huge history buffs.... we didn't go to D.C. for the shopping... )

Joseph's thoughts after the birth of Jesus...

"The elsapsed time since The Eternal Son of God first drew breath as a

Son of Man on earth could be counted by a single hour and a handful of minutes.

Yet His true age was beyond time-everlasting-and thus

beyond human comprehension."

- Sixth Covenant

Bodie and Brock Thoene

Read Slowly...

"Mr. Speaker, I said the honorable member was a liar it is true and I am sorry for it. The honorable member may place the punctuation where he pleases."

-Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) British dramatist. On being asked to apologize for calling a fellow MP a liar. Attrib.

You know you're from a big family if...

-There are pictures of your family in matching outfits

-You wrote your name on the bottom of your socks

-You went to the bathroom just to get away from your siblings

-You never said "I'm bored" because your mom always made you take care of your siblings or do the dishes

-You learned valuble negotiating skills and honed them from a very young age

-You found creative ways to hide things you wanted to keep for yourself

-You shake your head in disbelief when you hear someone say they've never changed a diaper

-Your mom found creative ways to force you to get along with your siblings

-When one sibling annoyed you it was okay because you could just go hang out with a different one

-Sometimes in public you pretended you weren't with them

-Strangers think that big sister is actually mom

-You wouldn't trade the fact that you got the opportunity to make a bunch of best friends that are stuck with you for life

On the Road Again...

When I was a little girl my parents used to sing a song On the Road again... Rebecca Joy is on the road again... I guess we used to travel quite a bit back then.

Well, we're on the road... you guessed it... AGAIN!!

This time we're on the East Coast!! We are having a BLAST!!! Our family has always dreamed of seeing Washington D.C. and we just finished up two wonderful days of touring D.C.!

I have lots and LOTS of pictures to sort through, but unfortunately I don't have time right now.

I promise I'll post pictures soon!

And I'm back online for the rest of the trip (hopefully) so, I'll be posting regularly again...

Sweet Summertime

Strawberry Pie

I just LOVE to make pie!! My favorite part is the crust...

Although, I like cutting the fruit, too...

Looks like Sarah Beth enjoys pie, too!

Camp Counselours

Being a camp counselour is one of the best parts of my summer. It's so rewarding!! We love camp.

It's a lot of hard work! And it's a very serious responsibility.

But, it's a lot of fun, too!!

Do, Re, Mi....

My sister Katie taught a music workshop at camp last week.

Some of us tried to help her... (Note: emphasis on TRY....) Notice how most of us look totally lost?
On the last night the children performed for us... it was beautiful!

More Camp

We really had a blast at camp last week!!

My Grandpa taught some of the boys how to raise the flag and take it down at night.

They were very diligent about it.

We did some hiking.

Fanny Crosby made an appearance, too!!

Camp 2007

This year was the 5th youth camp that our church has hosted.

60 kids between the ages of 3 and 17

plus babies

Our theme was "Running the Race"

Needless to say there was lots of running!

.... and duck walking....

Well, that's all for now!!! I have piles of pictures to sort through. I'll share more soon!!!!

Back from camp!!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share, yet! I do have pics... I think Steph ( my sis) took about 3 or 4 hundred... but, right now, they are downloaded on the other computer. I'll get to it soon, I promise!

But, I just want to say...

#1 I LOVE CAMP!!!

#2 I LOVE THE CHILDREN!!!!

#3 GOD IS AWESOME!!!

that's all for now... pictures soon!!!

Cheerio!! I'll be back soon!

On your mark!

Get set!!!

Go!!!!

Youth Camp 2007!!!! I'll be back in a week!!!

I just want to say...

Moms are the best people ever invented!!

Fourth of July

Well, we're back from our annual "Fourth-of-July-Church-Conference."

We've been going to this particular conference every year as long as I can remember. If we ever missed one... I don't remember it.

For me, the conference means many things

• A chance to see lots of people I haven't seen since... maybe last July 4th?
• Lots of Video Editing/camera operating
• Cutting flowers in a field at sunrise
• Arranging flowers into LOTS of bouquets in the afternoon
• Learning about The Lord
• Staying with Ty and Shan and girls
• Happy memories....

Movie Stars

Stephanie and Sarah B. wore sunglasses for a picture together.

But, Sarah peeked....

Strawberry Crepes

Recipe:



In a large mizing bowl whisk together:

1 cup flour

2 eggs



Gradually add in:

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water



Add:

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tablespoons melted butter



Beat until smooth



Heat a lightly oiled griddle. Pour approx. 1/4 cup of batter into pan, tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the butter coats the surface evenly. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. SERVE HOT.



CREPE FILLING:



Blend:

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup sugar



Spoon filling into center of crepe. Fold and top with fruit and powdered sugar.

puppy love

Sarah Beth

Met a puppy

It was love at first sight

She wanted to take care of him... so she tried to feed him a balloon....

Happy Independence Day!

As a Good Soldier of Jesus Christ

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

-Matthew 19:14

play-doh

Remember the fun of squishing play-doh between your fingers?

Sarah Beth enjoyed it!