Tribal Summit by the Lake

The Rowe tribe came to visit the Jackson Tribe - all the way from SC.  We were so happy to see a face from home and hear Miss Kelly's southern drawl for a while.  The kids had a ball cooking hotdogs over the fire and making s'mores and running around in circles playing something with a ball. :)

The old people had Perry's Chicken Chili and the Baptist ladies' Raspberry Pies - yum!

The big kids went swimming in the 60 degree weather and came out around 8pm looking like prunes and slightly blue from the chilly water. :)  Even the Puppy found a friend.

The kids stirred the coals a bit much and made for smoky pics

Having friends visit made saying goodbye to Lauren and Kat a little easier.  We've enjoyed seeing them this summer - they're so grown up!  So glad we get to keep Webb a little longer...

Scott hung out with the men when he wasn't retrieving little ones from the surf.  He's grown up so much and is such smart and able young man.

It is so good to fellowship far from home - can't wait to show them our old fashioned little Church tomorrow where the kids can pull the rope and ring the steeple bell.

Blessings, Kim

The Men Have Arrived!

Hooray!!! The big bros are here and the fun continues.

They help the girls get airborne

Get airborne themselves...

Do a little skiing, tubing, and floating - even 50 year old mom slalom skied today - gimpy leg and all!

And just hanging out with good friends.

I LOVE lazy days at the lake.

Blessings, Kim

Fun at the Lake

We've migrated north to cooler weather!  The girls are enjoying the lake, and I'm enjoying all the home baked breads, pastries, and pies from the farmer's market. :)  The goodies make the reading of Les Miserables less miserable - 5 chapters detailing the battle of Waterloo (in poetic prose) calls for more sugar to keep me awake.  The cool breeze and low 70's temps are heavenly.

Our doggie is enjoying the shade - but unlike most labrador retrievers, refuses to even get his feet wet.

The cousins are up - and little Hayden is a hoot.  5 years old - going on 30.  We love to hear her commentaries on whatever catches her fancy.

It's sad to see a "for sale" sign in the yard - this place is a little slice of heaven on earth.  Fresh veggies, home made ice cream, and fresh water with no snakes, sharks, or gators.  Even in this small town of 500 or so, we meet interesting people.  Today we met a missionary who spent 20 years in Mindanao - a place in southern Philippines - so dangerous that it was forbidden for us to fly over it as military pilots.  She and her husband have *retired* to one of my favorite places in the world - hoping to see her there if I ever get back. :)  Old time missionaries are still around - and this couple's story will be read by my grandchildren.  They're brave people who trust God completely.

Yesterday we ran into an old friend who worked for Ronald Reagan.  We pined over old times together - the days of Thatcher and Reagan and integrity and dignity - and lamented the current state of affairs.  The economy, the culture, and the fact that Tubby's ice cream has stopped selling soft serve.  The country is failing fast...

Off to snack on some freshly picked raspberries and read a little Haggai.

Blessings, Kim

Happy Independence Day!!

We had a 4th of July "re-do" - off to Grandma's house for her annual party and even the same dresses (one size up!) as last year. :)  One of my neighbor's had the best patriotic shirt, and I caught this pic with all the girls:

And then we had the patriotic cake and decorations!

And the cousins - who made the party sparkle with fireworks and glow in the dark balloons!

I'm so glad I got these pics - because within the hour - one of my girls slipped in the mud and we had to take her home on towels in the car for outfit #2 and a bath.  It must have been a HUGE mud puddle!  But we were back in time for BBQ and the next emergency.

One of the older party goers fell over onto the floor - out cold - and 911 had to be called.  He insisted he was fine, but the several nurses in attendance gave him baby aspirin and let the paramedics look him over.  He stubbornly refused to go to the hospital, signed a waiver, and went home to rest.  Later last night, we were told he may have had a stroke and 911 was called again - and this time he went to the hospital.  Praying he's ok!

So we continued on and finally got home way past bedtime - but not before reciting the Declaration of Independence to the best of our poor middle aged memories with the elementary kids propping us up.  Just thankful that we live in a free country with regular elections to get rid of the inevitable abusers of power.  Thanking God for our founding fathers and their great wisdom - recognizing that all men are born depraved - and only the law or Christ can restrain them.  Praying Christ begins to reign in the hearts of men once again.

Blessings, Kim

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36