NH Splendor

Last week we were able to take a week away and go to a cabin with our friend Kathy on a lake in NH. But before I update about that, for those who haven't heard via person, phone, or facebook...

We are moving to Oklahoma.
Pa was offered a job there (within Raytheon) that really seems to fit perfect for him.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers during this time of transition.. especially to find a buyer for our house.

Finally packed and ready to go. It took us a couple hours to finagle everything we were planning on taking in the car. I sure miss our van at times like this! The boys did an awesome job packing the trunk. I don't think there was a free square inch!

They packed so well, Mom had to get in the trunk to retrieve the loose vegetables in the back.

Vacation = more time to chill and chat with your siblings in the mornings... and the rest of the day

Kathy had a meeting and left her and her sisters dog with us. They were sad to see her go

The cabin was right on Suncook Lake. I was quite thrilled to find out they owned a row boat that we could go out on whenever we wanted to! I love row boats.

The simple solution when your hair gets wild and the sink is at a distance

Later Micaiah took me across the lake

Milo doesn't like giving up a cozy seat and was okay with Marscel crab walking to get places

The best way to go on a walk is subjective

Mom found this cute puppy

There's always time for beading when we're with Kathy

Can I help you?

When the sun hid behind a cloud it would get pretty chilly, but Mom was ever hopeful for it's return

Kathy grew up coming to this lake and shared many stories and her favorite spot with me... the swamp

My favorite hang out for the week.

My art

The spiders art

As I sat there I started hearing these plopping sounds and looked up to see tons of fish jumping!

The jumping fish

"From the rising of the sun to its going down
The LORD’s name is to be praised. "

art

Santa's workshop aka the porch.
Kathy got old cigar boxes to sand down their logo and wood burn your own on it

I took Micaiah out to where Kathy showed me in the swamp where we "anchored" to read for a while...

...and enjoy God's creation

The water was very clear with all sorts of plants to see on the bottom

I find it amazing how smoothly these spiders glide across the top of the water

These turtles let us get amazingly close to take their picture.

Marscel and I took Mom out to see the beauty of the lake

Taking a turn around the "swamp"

Micaiah and I had seen a rope swing across the lake on the edge of these woods and went back with Marscel to explore a bit. (You can see when Matthew, Micaiah, and Marscel jumped off the rope swing later in the week if you click their names)

Yeah!!! Apple picking time!

"Look at all these apples! Quick grab some and look over here!"

Apple picking is the perfect way to welcome fall

Overwhelmed by the sweet crispness

In search of the perfect apple

There it is!

Apple art

Micaiah's apple art

The trees were beautiful, the lighting perfect, and my subjects handsome and very obliging.

My second subject

One of the prettiest orchards I've been to.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver."

As soon as Pa and Matthew joined us I took Matthew out to the swamp. The colors changed quite a bit in the week we were there.

Matthew conquering the log that blocked our path, but it stood it's ground.

Instead we took a picture on this litle beach before the log...

... and headed home.

The water warmed up enough for the boys to enjoy it for a bit

The gentle rock of a rowboat is so peaceful they can put you to sleep

Unless they are commandeered

The pirated paddle

Father and son time

As far as chihuahua's go, Milo is the cutest I've seen... maybe because he likes me

The trio

What beats being on the lake WHILE being serenaded by a brother?

Another beautiful sunset

art

Vacation just wouldn't be complete without a game of Monopoly... complete with the hour long discussion/debate as to which rules we'll play by

"Is it pi times the radius squared for the area of a circle?"

Exploring the shallowest part of the swamp.

I lined up the camera on self timer. The boat rocked perfectly as I got in to frame it nicely.

With all the rowing we did blisters were inevitable, but so worth it

Our last night there Matthew, Micaiah, and I went out on the lake where we sky gazed (we weren't JUST looking at stars)

The boys also brought the stuff to"breathe fire"

Disclaimer for all children: Do not try at home unless you have your parents permission


Because it was dark out it looks even more impressive


Our dialog is rather cheesy (or maybe it's that our voices sound strange on a recording), but I was just filming for fun

I like this picture. I love my parents.

"Love, twoo love, is what brings us together today"

"Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind." ~Princess Bride

Walking dogs? An uncommon sight for Pa and Mom

You'd think she likes animals!

The last row

The dogs were so excited to see Kathy again they got all tangled up

A quick stop to the apple orchard before heading home

Good bye from the "leftovers"