Discovering the Mysterious Garden.

A week or so ago we had the privilege of cleaning up the backyard of a house in Port Huron. The house has been empty for 12 years and the last time anyone had done anything with the backyard was at least 5 years ago. Following are some pictures, from the two day back breaking clean up, for your enjoyment.

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Hard at work in the Jungle :

work included; Sawing down trees,

pulling stubborn grape vines,


removing brush and therefore looking like a walking bush,


helping to hold trees, and therefore lessening the danger of the trees falling on someones head,


playing in the dirt ;)


and becoming exhausted.
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Before and after photos:

Looking towards the fence.

Before: Green, green and more green, did someone say there was a fence here?

After: Oh! there was a garden and paving stones there, what a surprise!

Before: the ramp was covered with raspberry's and trees that had grown up through the wood.

After: A nice clean ramp free of trees and weeds.

Before: Ivy crawling all over the flower bed and crossing the side walk into the lawn.

After: A semi clean sidewalk and trimmed ivy, making it a lot easier to access the ramp.

Before: a dilapidated picnic table covered by raspberry bushes and held captive by roses.

After: a liberated picnic table, cleared patio and conquered roses.

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The result.

24 full lawn bags :)

~Chs

A trip to the Unknown!!

One of Josh's favorite things to do for people on their birthday is to take them on trips. Last year he took Faith on a canoe trip and this year he secretively consulted with me about taking yet another trip for Faith's birthday, except this time it would be a surprise. Many many years ago, before we moved to our current residence, and when most of us were still being home schooled, we participated in nature classes at the U of M Dearborn. They have a Environmental Interpretive center, and would take classes or groups of children on hikes through the 300 acres of land surrounding the Henry Ford Estate teaching them about plants, animals and minerals;) Faith especially enjoyed the studies and we became friends with many of the instructors. So Josh thought it would be extremely special to take Faith down (without her knowing) for a nature hike of our own, and to revisit many spots that we hadn't seen for well over 5 years.

Yes we did blindfold her=). You see, while Faith is not superb at following directions and finding new places, she has a wonderful sense of direction=} Okay I know that didn't make much sense;) In other words she would have recognized where she was going without some blockage of her vision.

Faith guessed where we were going right before we arrived.


Off we go into the wild green yonder!


One of the places where we went quite often when studying, was the lily pond that used to be part of Mrs. Ford's rose garden.


We made it out to the Jensen meadow and reconnoiter and then headed off towards the Ford estate, river and enjoining boat garage and grotto.

In the grotto. Smile!!

The foreboding castle:)

As we walked along we heard water rushing, then soon came in sight of the raging river. A water fall had been built up and right below it was a power house.

Contemplating the strength of the river. (yes she is sitting on a rock not in the river)

Foaming rapids rush by.


The mysterious door. (also known as the door to the power house).


"This stone was laid here on the Twenty - eighth day of October Nineteen - Hundred and Fourteen by Thomas A Edison."

It was a wonderful trip and adventure through God's creation. (thanks to Mr. Reiche for this last picture).

~Chs

The 114th Birthday,of......

Cathy

And Carmen!

Oh, divided by two=p A banana chocolate swirl cake covered with peanut butter filled M&M's. Mmmmmm!

Happy Birthday to you!

Kisses for Dad!

After we had stuffed ourselves on cake and Ice cream, the presents began. Both of the "girls" love pistachios.

Aunt Carmen gave Mother the classic version of the game PIT. We children are going to have fun with that!!

Then as we slowly digested we enjoyed the beautiful river flowing by. You can tell how much Josiah had been eating, look at that bench tip. =}

We were also visited and subsequently amused by the extremely friendly gray squirrels that haunt the picnic areas around the river.

Awwwwwwww!

We even had a couple ships come by just in honor of Mumsie and Aunt Carm!;)

Happy Birthday Mumsie!!!!!

~Chs

Celebrating the Fourth: Part 2; As the birthday of our own Firecracker.

Faith Ann Sauve

The second half of the day was spent in the celebration of Faith's 2..." birthday. Anyone want to guess what her exact age is?


We had all our relatives over for dinner, and though it was hot out in the sun, under the willow tree with the breeze it was just right.


Faith took our gardening expert, Aunt Myrt, on a tour through our garden, asking for tips and showing off our carrots. (which we are all immensely proud of, as we have never grown carrots before let alone big healthy beautiful ones=)


Dad worked the grill while everyone else walked around out back. The hamburgers were extremely succulent by the way!





Let the feasting begin!


After dinner we all headed down stairs for cake and Ice Cream. Okay, most of you know our tradition of creative shaped and decorated cakes. Faith does not always have cake as her taste buds lean more towards pie and such. But when ever she asks for a cake these words always follow. "Make a shape that has never been done before". Well with 7 children each having a birthday every single year (shocking I know ;) and all insisting on a new shape, Mother was fast running out of ideas. So after racking our brains and narrowing down suggestions, Mother and I chose to make Faith a cake looking like her garden, with raised rows and all! The rows are made of Butterfingers and Three Musketeer Candy bars;)


Happy Birthday Dear Faith!! May God bless you in the years to come.

~Chs

Celebrating the Fourth: Part 1; As our nations Birthday.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

We, as a nation, have so much to celebrate, especially in the way of Gods grace on us, in not judging us for all our rebellion against him. Let us pray for a revival this year and a turning back to God, on personal and church level as well as national.

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This year, as usual, our family headed down town to watch the Hadley Parade. Hadley is a very small town, but for one day (4th of July) its popluation at least triples. As always there are lots and lots of Tractors in the parade, but since I think you all know what they look like, I am going to show you some of the unique and creative entries, and there were quite a few!

Whoa, don't fall!! ;-)

This was one of the most creative vehicles. A tiller and plow!

Then there was the bubble blowing time machine, which seemed to float its way down the parade route.

There were many classic cars, and this one was Joshua's favorite. Beautiful blue colors.


And this was Faith and my pick. I just love the creative two tones in old cars, no new cars are half as nice looking.


My favorite part, the beautiful horses!


We even had one of the forefathers in our parade!


This year, for some reason, though the firetrucks were in the parade, there was no spraying of water as in former years. Most of us were not bothered by that;)

And the vehicle that makes the Hadley Parade what it is, The old "Kalifornia 'er Bust" (probably bust) truck. I didn't get a good picture of it during the parade but here it is in the field before.

As someone said when they saw this truck finally come on the parade route. "The parade is now complete".

~Chs PS. more of our fourth celebrations coming soon!!!