Family Reunion - 2008

Saturday was our long planned for annual family reunion. It was held at our house and even though about half of all who said they were coming did not show up and it did eventually rain, it turned out to be one of the best ever reunions and I think every one had a wonderful and enjoyable time!

The matriarchs and their spouses.

The day started out beautiful!

Grandma and Grandpa Learned.

L-R, Aunt Clarabel, Aunt Elsie (Uncle Teds wife), and Aunt Myrt.

Faith and Josh.

Lunch time!

Mr. Ostrander kindly provided this tarp to help shade our eating area!

After lunch we had the different generations gather together for a quiz time.

The second generation met to talk about the future of the reunions.

The third generation had a short quiz/ice breaker and then we got into the games!

I don't have any pictures of us young people playing water balloon volleyball since I was participating, but here are some of the "grown ups" trying their skills at soaking each other! LOL! It was pretty funny to watch!

Zoey enjoying the game from the play scape deck.

Two balloons! When the younger generation was playing we actually had two balloons collide in mid-air! We were so surprised, no one moved and they both fell to the ground!

The spectators.

2008 picture!

Our cousin Kelly brought a friend. She fit in like one of the family, helped out by taking the family picture and threw her share of water balloons! I'm glad you came Catie! It was fun getting to know you!

After pictures it started to rain. Really hard! After it let up some people left, but since it was still the early afternoon everyone else hung around so we decided to have a water balloon toss...

...and it ended up with a war!

Thankfully Adam was nice and didn't pop the balloon over his sisters head! =)

It was a great day spent with family and we hope to see more of you all next year!

~Grace

Random stuff

Dad's birthday, clothes lines and storms, adorable children, prayer request, more flowers and nature and a wedding...in pictures. Enjoy!

A little washed out...but that's Paul Sauve, a year older and growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Before the storm hit.

Bunches of socks!

"Sister" and her flowers! Gotta love that smile!

Christianna and "Tiny".

Best friends.

Sister and brother.

Esther Hayse. Our little 6 year old friend who broke her arm last Thursday is in need of your prayers for healing, patience, and strength to endure the long weeks ahead. Pray also for the family and that God will show his Glory through this hard time and supply the needs and strengthen the faith of His children.

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

[Taken by Christianna ]

[Taken by Josiah]

Sun patches on tree bark.

Giant Zinnia!

“The LORD reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.” Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth. Psalm 96:10-13

Last night we headed over to Jackson to witness the marriage of our friend Barak to Amanda Lee. It was a beautiful wedding and celebration of what God has done in their lives!

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Amanda's sister sang a beautiful song for them.

The sweetest, most innocent first kiss!

He who finds a wife finds a good thing,

And obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 18:22

Evening at the Lake

A week ago Saturday, after a long day of hard work, we quickly made dinner and headed down to the lake for some relaxation. Faith did a great job taking the majority of these pictures (the ones that she is not in at least) and we all had a fun time either fishing, swimming or just enjoying the beauty of God's creation!

Miss Quirky smile here says that she doesn't like her picture taken. So I say, "well I do, and since I am usually behind the camera all the time, why don't you take pictures tonight!" ~Thanks Faith, you did a great job!

Josh catching some lily pads. Christianna almost caught a little guy but he slipped off the hook, making for a no catch evening.

We forgot to bring worms and hot dogs (thus my assumption of why we did not catch anything) and the fish didn't seem to care for hamburger or pickles and yes, even all those plastic lures that the boys swear by! =)

I really like these last two pictures! Faith did a great job!

Still not catching anything.

Our entertainer.

We finally gave up on the fishing and dove in for a swim. Josh, Josiah and I, that is.

Besides the occasional tangle with the slimy weeds, accompanied with screams and much splashing, we had a great time while Christianna drove Josiah's motor boat around us!

Faith and her guitar at the lake.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

Mercy and truth go before Your face.

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.

In Your name they rejoice all day long,

And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

For You are the glory of their strength,

And in Your favor our horn is exalted.

For our shield belongs to the LORD,

And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 18:14-18