With our Independence Day celebration approaching we had a prep day at the Arnettes. Stage made? Check! In place? Check. Sound system working? Check.
With the prep work done the boys went to work on Michael Arnettes house.
The Kitchen crew
Our annual night at the drive-in. I hope these are still running when I have kids and with something worth seeing!
Even if we celebrate our birthdays a bit late we still get to partake of one of the best birthday traditions...
First bite with Pa holding our hands behind our back. This time Mom moved forward as I did... apparently she thought it was funny :-)
Our "neighbors" that own the gun shop across the street were getting married. We arrived earlier then we expected and not seeing many people decided to take some pictures under the arbor and surrounding vineyard to pass the time
Quite a nice vineyard out in the middle-of-nowhere Oklahoma
After a few more pictures we asked what time it started thinking maybe we wrote the wrong time... turns out there were two weddings at the same vineyard and we were at the wrong one!
Thankfully we made it before the ceremony even started
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Congratulations Sterling and Jennifer!
Sunday afternoon with the Ahlgrens is always a relaxing time full of good conversations...
... and fun games with this cutie.
We went out to see the dam and pond that David made and ended up sinking in the red clay/mud. It made for a fun time trying to help each other out without getting sucked back in yourself.
The way it dried on made it look like boils or some kind of skin problem... might come in handy for a film project
One of their kittens
I am not into cats at all, but if they stayed this little even I would be tempted to get one
Last minute sewing projects for the CHEF Conference we were going to be playing at.
On the way we stopped in Springfield to go blueberry picking with Melissa, the littles, and the Z's. Philip was a great taste tester.
Just look at that grin!
Not sure how many blueberries he actually helped make it in a bucket, but he had a grand time finding the blue ones that were at his level.
Everyone picking in their own unique way... in some cases, like the Z's, for the first time.
"But I HAVE been apple picking before..."
Berry buddies... such a cheesy caption it's almost cute, huh?
The bagging begins
We came a few days before the conference to help Matthew and Micaiah on their apartment buildings.
Preparing for painting.
Cutting the edges and filling it in... it's like coloring for adults!
They're replacing all the doors changing it from a regular, "blah" apartment to one with class
Lunch Break!
The next night we went to the Fords, the family the boys are staying with, and were greeted with a most amazing spread.
One of my favorite pictures yet! It was like our own private bistro.
I hope none of you are hungry... My mouth is watering just looking at this!
As night fell Micaiah lit all the candles turning it into a little fairy tale
Enjoying desert and one of my favorite pastimes... enjoying Micaiah's ready wit
It sounded great practicing until we saw Micaiah, then Matthew and I lost it in laughter
And the sewing continues
Sunday we were blessed to be at Matthew and Micaiah's baptisms
Singing hymns they had chosen
Sharing why they wanted to be baptized
"I once was blind.... but now I see"
"Therefore,
having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God." 2 Corinthians 7:1
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6
" For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:26-27
♬ "Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away"♫♪
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away"♫♪
Brothers in name, brothers in Christ
Can't seem to have an event where we get dressed up without sewing the night before
During registration they played in the lobby.
If you live in Missouri or a nearby state you'll want to make it to this conference next year. This was not your average home school conference. Every message was so encouraging and inspiring!
Though you could always buy the messages and hear them at home, you can't record the wonderful fellowship to be had.
The way to have a picnic lunch in style.
In between sessions Pa and Matthew had a mini jam session with the Phillips boys.
It was decided to gather a bunch of the guys in kilts to sing some Celtic songs as Matthew played the bagpipes before one of the sessions.
Going over the songs one last time before...
... heading on stage
♪ "Land of our fathers, we will always be
Faithful and loyal to our own country
In times of danger, we will set you free
Lead you to glory and to victory" ♫
Faithful and loyal to our own country
In times of danger, we will set you free
Lead you to glory and to victory" ♫
You can hear a clip of what they sounded like here in this little film a friend put together:
The Z girls in their finished Scottish outfits. Such bonnie lasses!
A merry lot
Our crew
Listening to more messages, this time by Col. Eidsmoe
In the middle of Mr. Phillips message, Covenant Keepers on the Deck of the Titanic, he played this little video from the Titanic event back in April that Melissa is in. If you haven't seen it you can now
On the second day after lunch we played through the vendor hall and up to where the next session was started.
Kind of odd playing fife and drum on an escalator... rather artistic though
Welcome Here Again!
Colonial Art
Enjoying a few more songs by...
Sam and Joshua
And then on to the ball!
Twirling and skipping the night away.
A lovely ending to an amazing conference. Be sure to come next year!
On the way home we stopped by Jordan and Melissa's. I thought it was funny how William was using Melissa's hair clips as air-lift transportation for his cars.
Jeremy and Danielle had us all over for a luau
Another gourmet meal you can't beat.
Jeremy even put together one of his quizzes that we all love.
How fluent are you in Hawaiian?
And he doesn't give you cheap prizes either! That all natural chocolate bar was 2nd prize.
A coin from 249-251 AD with a bit of history from Jeremy
(You can read it if you click on the picture)
Philip is such a cuddle bug...
And one of the happiest kids I've ever seen
Why buy toys when your child finds such enjoyment from licking ice from the tray?
The Purple smoothie mustache man
With the fourth of July falling on a Wednesday we held our Independence Day celebration the weekend before.
And the day begins
The boys practice their drill... these guys were like clock work and would make great minutemen!
Families started arriving... a great many of them dressed up in outfits they made
The smallest Independence Day Celebration Family picture we've had yet... but I'm glad we have it
The ceremonies begin
A black powder gun salute
Our wonderful hosts
Pa and Marscel had attended a John Birch meeting a while back and met Mr. Connor and asked if he would speak at our event. He gave a much needed and inspiring message on liberty.
Elijah recited from memory the complete Patrick Henry speech... one of the best recitations I've heard!
Of course the day wouldn't be complete without the reading of the Declaration of Independence... How fast we forget.
Some of the gents ready for action
Demonstrating the calls and actions of loading and firing...
...and having them follow along
These two remind me of my siblings when we were younger
As night fell fireworks were brought out
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After some dancing Marscel showed some of them how to do the "fire breathing" trick with cornstarch. Thus ended a most delightfully full June.
