17 years later...

 On January 23rd, 1995, the third (and last) boy was born into the Sauvé family.  17 years and 6 feet 6 inches later Josiah continues to delight us with quick humor and intensely creative ways.

 For his birthday Josiah asked to go for a walk at Beaver Lake trails as he has done for the past few years.  The rain held up long enough for us to go for a nice long hike with Mr. Reiche and Grace along too.

 The trails were a bit sloppy but navigable, and the rain had left behind some beautiful sights.

 We took both the dogs with us and Sadie was a bulldozer.  She loved running down hill at top speed.

 Rain drops lodged themselves on Rose Hips along the way creating a beautiful sight.

 On one of the paths we took, we went by a couple old foundations.  It would have been amazing to have seen what the buildings looked like in their prime.

"The Birthday Boy and his Dogs"

 We stopped at Pinacle Peek where Mr. Reiche was kind enough to take a picture of us, before heading down and homeward.

 Josiah had requested a covered bridge cake, and though it was a bit difficult to complete, we finally managed.  Who knew covered bridges tasted so good? :)

 Then we began to open gifts:)

 Anyone guess what this present is?

 Josiah still is very interested in Eric Sloane and his books, and was thrilled with Faith's gift of a box set of "Eric Sloane's DO: a little book of early American know-how" and "Eric Sloane's DON'T: a little book of early American Gentility"

For dinner Josiah requested a German meat platter with all the sides.

We are very thankful for our tallest youngest boy.  He is our brave, persistent, creative, amusing, slightly stubborn, intelligent, and affectionate boy, and we love him very much!
~Chs

Dedicated to Sledding!

 Saturday morning dawned bright, clear, and snowy.  We knew, looking at the forecast, that the snow wouldn't last long, and therefore determined to make the best of it and go to Mr. Reiche's once again, this time with some friends.

 Despite the sun, the sled run still looked to be in good shape, and we were eager to try it out.

 The Fultz had not yet arrived but Josiah and Faith did a few test runs to help "smooth" out the run.

 The Fultz soon arrived, and sleds started speeding down the run one after another.

 Sister was a professional sledder and soon was going down all by herself!

 The favorite way for the children to go down though, was on a "big" persons back;)

 Tiny was rather afraid of the height of the ramp at first but slowly and surely he found out how fun it was and went down multiple times, always with a companion of course.

Go Sister!!!!

 A happy sledder :)

 Mr. Reiche still had his Christmas lights strung up along the path and though they were not on, the sun created some beautiful images shining on the bulbs.

 Once everyone was "sledded out" we returned to our house where Tiny helped me whip up a batch of Hot Chocolate while the rest of the children played outside.

It was a lovely afternoon and we all cannot wait until it snows again so we can return to Mr. Reiche's sled hill, as well as other hills we have not been to this year.  But even if we don't get the much prayed for snow we are grateful for what God has given us and for the fellowship that we have had in His great outdoors.

~Chs

A Week of Parties!

 Alright, well not quite "parties." I guess a week of fellowship would be a better title but you get the idea.

Our first activity was scheduled on Wednesday evening (though we had quite a lot of smaller business early in the week).  On Wednesday we all packed in the van and headed over to Flint to have dinner with Grace and the Mixon family.

We all laughed and talked in the kitchen while last minute touches were put on the dinner.

Little Selah, the Mixon's baby charmed us all with smiles, funny expressions, and noises which she alone new the translation to.

Dinner was at last announced and we all sat down for a sumptuous repast.

Chicken Pot pie, a Salad Platter, and Rolls were all passed around and enjoyed by all.

At least almost all; the only food Manoah would touch was the applesauce, and he nearly emptied a whole jar!! :)

After the dishes were cleared away some settled down to talk, others played an ancient phonograph, and the rest "played pool"....Translation: crawled on top of the pool table pushing the balls into the holes and then fetching them out, to start the whole process over again. (at least the littlest did the crawling the rest just watched.)

We had a wonderful evening of fellowship, and hope to be able to see the Mixon's again soon.

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Thursday night we went to the Ostranders for a Bible study.  We are currently watching through a video series by R.C Sproul on Martin Luther.  It is very insightful and interesting.

Friday evening found us at the home of our dear friends the Roehrers.

We enjoyed a delicious meal, and then watched an informative video by Joel Salatin about his farm in Virginia, interrupted only to partake of a decadent Chocolate Turtle cake.

We are very thankful for all of our friends and fellow believers and for their generosity and fellowship!!

~Chs

The First Run of the Season!!

 Mr. Reiche's sled run is the most celebrated hill in our area, and on normal winters the Sauve's usually make it to Mr. Reiche's by mid/late December at least, but because of the strange weather patterns this year, it wasn't till January 18th that we received the call that the famous sled run was open.  

 So early Thursday morning (the only time we could fit in to our busy schedule which I will post about next;)  Josiah, Faith and I headed over to officially "open" the sledding season!  

We had a wonderful time, though short, and left eager to return as soon as possible.  

Below is a video of the first sled run, done by FaithAnn Sauve!  If any of "my dear" readers are anywhere in the area, we would be delighted to take you over whenever the weather cooperates.  Just leave a *comment*!!!

Hyacinths to Feed Your Soul

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,

And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one, and with the dole

Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

(pictures taken by Christianna Sauve)

A Picture for Wednesday: Arctic Explorers

"Three daring explorers head off into the unknown with their faithful sled dog, and their house/shelter, ready for any and all adventures!!"

(i.e Faith Josiah and I moving our duck house on a toboggan with Sadie Rose's "help.")

Fairest Lord Jesus: Monday Meditations

"Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, 
O Thou of God and man the Son: 

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, 
Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moon light, 
and all the twinkling starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations! 
Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!"

Amen

(pictures taken by Christianna H. Sauve)

Bike Ride, and Rushing Water

 On one of the fine (unusually) warm days last week, Josiah and I headed out on a bike ride, intent on enjoying the weather to the fullest.

 We headed off in the opposite direction than we usually went, and soon found the roads to be rather muddy and sticky for bike riding, but the temperature was pleasant, neither too warm nor cold, for such exercise.

 Coming over a hill, we faced the opposition of a "road closed" sign, due to flooding that this particular road had been subject to since the spring rains.  So we turned down a road just before this obstruction and took a route that I, at least, had never biked on before.

 After passing farms and skirting the local lake, we heard the overpowering sound of turbulent water, we soon came upon the drainage of the lake which pours into Farmer Creek which carries the water far and wide and distributes it into smaller streams along the way.  The water thundered through a metal tube of large circumference and rushed pellmell under a bridge pushing and dashing over rocks trying to flow as fast as possible into the Creek.

 Josiah and I stumbled down the embankment and by dint of much clambering and grasping to beams (I at least had to "clamber and grasp" having forgotten to wear my waterproof boots, Josiah just waded over) made it to the pilings under the bridge.  We perched there on the rocks at the far side of the bridge, reposing and consuming a snack brought along for refreshment while listening to the jubilant sound of the rushing torrent.  All too soon we had to shout to each other over the commotion that it was time to return homeward,

and so we retraced our steps, or in this case wheel marks, back to our abode rejoicing in a lovely afternoon spent where we love to be most,

in God's great nature!

~Chs