Michindoh Drop Off

Braden went to Camp Michindoh on Sunday afternoon, but I'm just getting around to posting a few pictures today.
Sunday morning, before church, Jon fixed eggs, toast, and sausage for our little camper. And to top it off, he got to drink his milk with the new Fruit Loops cereal straws we got. Yum?!?!


Here he is trying out his bunk at camp. (I think they are in a cabin for half of the week and then head off to "western camp" where they will sleep in miners' tents.)


Braden and Micheal, his bunk-mate.

Keep them in your prayers this week. They are due back in VW shortly after lunch on Friday.

Random Update

Just letting everyone know that we are alive and well! I haven't taken any pictures this past week - thus, nothing to post.
Braden's had football camp 3 days last week.
We spent Thursday afternoon at the Celina Pool. Braden and Nick had a great time and were exhausted!! I got some color, though my shoulders saw a bit too much.
Thursday night, we went to see "Hancock." Great movie, but why can't movies be great without the profanity? Should I have to talk to my son about NEVER using words like that? Can't we just have a clean, funny family movie that's not animated?
Anyway, then Friday we hit a few garage sales in the morning, bought Turtle some crickets (which he chased down and gobbled up!), and bought Braden the supplies he needs for camp. That's right, Sunday afternoon, Braden leaves for a camp in Michigan! He'll be back home on Friday! Keep him and the rest of the kiddos in your prayers please!
Jon's back so I better go help put food away. Have a great weekend, All!

The Billboard Is Up

Yes, it is a little alarming to see yourself so large!
We found out yesterday that the billboard was finally up..... only 11 days after we were told it was "going up today." So naturally, Braden and I loaded up this morning to see for ourselves and take some pictures. (My camera cannot zoom too much, so these pictures are courtesy of my grandpa who took off, camera in hand, to see it himself when we told him about it.)
Those of you in the Van Wert area can see us on 127, in front of the First Bank of Berne, next to McDonald's and Wal-Mart. If you'd like Braden's autograph, stop by anytime!

A funny side story: Yesterday, I attended an Optimist Club meeting as a guest/potential member. The guest speaker was a local pastor telling the club about Manna Outreach Ministries and about the upcoming "Raising Great Kids" seminar. He then passed out registration forms to everyone WITH OUR PICTURE ON!!!! A little embarrassing, but no one noticed............. until Stacey had to open her mouth and inform everyone that I, the only guest that day, was also the one in the flier! Thanks Stacey! You are so not getting a Christmas card from me this year!!!!

At the River

Here are the pictures from our afternoon at the river with the Baers. I am so glad Jessica is a good parent and brought her camera along. I had left mine at home!
Here is Braden before he attempted to wakeboard. He was so excited to try. Unfortunately, he never got up out of the water! (In his defense though, the board he used was too big for him and it wasn't a board for a beginner.)

Next up: Jon



Sorry but there are no pictures of him getting out of the water either. For those who don't know, wakeboards have weight limits! And a 220 lbs. board will not support a 240 lbs. man. Every time Jon tried to stand, he'd push the board under the water.


After Braden, Jon, and Sam tried wake boarding, we headed back to pick up the kneeboard so Braden could give that a go.....

Braden Tries to Kneeboard

I love that Jessica's camera allowed me to zoom in so much! - Otherwise, I would have missed these faces! - With his eyes closed, no wonder he kept falling off :)


Finally, Daddy got in the water to try and give him a hand.



It didn't work! You can see how he's holding the rope off to his left. Guess it takes more than one afternoon to learn to kneeboard.

Wow!

Look what Jon brought home and then assembled:

Way to go! And in under 2 hrs! --- Next up: pictures from our afternoon at the river with Sam, Jessica, and Aubrie.

Boys Hip Hop Pictures

Dance Recital 2008

Finally! Here is your first installment of pictures from Braden's mid-May dance recital. (Thanks Layce!) --- If you have a Myspace account, you can see them all in a slide show I created yesterday. ---
Today: clog! This was Braden's least favorite, but only because he was the only boy. He's decided not to take clog again next year, but he may take Jazz in it's place.
We were so proud of him! He did a great job!



And here is a preview of Boys Hip Hop. I'll post those pictures later.