look at Matthew run!

There are not many things I enjoy doing as much as watching my kids work hard at something and succeed! I am so proud of Matthew. He is up every morning for early morning seminary, works hard at his school work and puts in the time and energy to run like the wind. These photos are from a recent track meet at Oakton. He won the race. Way to go Matthew! So glad to cheer you on!

A get-a-way to Williamsburg with Emmy!

An early morning departure put us right on time to meet up with the other 4th graders and parents from Emily's school. Here we are at the fountain at Jamestown, our meeting spot. The tour of Jamestown was fabulous, I recommend it!

Emily got to demonstrate removing the hair from a hide using a shell as a tool.

She also got to model what a 12 year old Powatan Indian girl would wear (minus her own clothing). The class was surprised to lean that at their age they would wear nothing and when it was cold their parents would rub them down with bear fat for added warmth.

Our group worked together to load one of the barrels on to the ship, The Constant.

Emily, looking cool aboard the ship. It was amazing to tour.

Still aboard the ship, looking out to the point above Emily's head where the actual Jamestown existed, the original site is still being excavated.

Inside a burned out canoe. We got to see one of the canoes in the process of being burned out and the kids had a chance to scrape out some of the charcoal with a shell... very cool!

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Inside the Chapel in Jamestown. This is where Pocahantas was baptized and married John Rolfe.

Inside of the Jamestown Fort the buildings look they are straight from England.

The group at the end of our Jamestown tour... now off to Yorktown!

At Yorktown we toured a colonial farm, take note of the Turkey behind Em.

A colonial farm kitchen.

The cherry blossoms were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

We got to watch them shoot a cannon. It was so loud!

We visited the camp of the colonial soldiers.

The gang at the end of our Yorktown tour.

After an afternoon at Yorktown we were beat and at maximum capacity for historical information. The group disbanded and we drove to our hotel which turned out to be lovely and swam the evening away. We snagged the last reservation for dinner at an authentic tavern in Historical Williamsburg and were serenaded by a great colonial musician. When we returned to the hotel we were officially tired and slept so well.

Saturday morning we arrived at Busch Gardens for opening day! Emily loves Busch Gardens so this was a dream-come-true for her. Upon arrival we discovered that her recent growth had put her over the mark to allow her to ride on every ride at the park! It began to drizzle so we purchased our blue Busch Gardens rain ponchos and had a great time. The rain kept the crowds away and so we loved having no long lines. We rode the Griffin 5 times! 

We enjoyed seeing the animals, we watched wolves do tricks, the pet shenanigans show, different kinds of owls and this lovely hawk! We also loved watching those Irish dancers!

It was a day I will always treasure. When we were getting off the Griffin and I was feeling a little woosey, Emily looked at me and said "this is pure joy" and that woosey feeling left me quickly and we went on another ride. Being a mom is the best!

We love you Busch Gardens... hope to see you soon! Thanks Emily for a great get-a-way together.

LIGHT

Tonight some of the lovely young women from my church youth group came to my home for papermaking and printing. It was so fun. They each printed beautiful thank you note cards and Emily taught the fine art of papermaking... so fun to have them here! The theme for the youth this year is arise and shine forth. I am so proud to associate with these great young women.

Last night and this afternoon Jay worked and worked to put up a light over the press. What had seemed to be a simple task became a great challenge because of the placement of the light over a monster press would not budge. Thank you Jay... I love the light!

Pi Day 3.14

Today we celebrated pi day with shepherd's pie and apple pie. YUM! I snapped a couple of pics with my phone... I love the leaf crust on the apple! Leaves are beginning to pop out all around here in Virginia. I spent the afternoon printing (and will soon reprint after discovering a little typo after completing the project). Then watching Emily ice skate -delightful... grabbed a chance to read between being wowed by her grace on the ice. I am rereading the Kite Runner. I loved it the first time although it is so sad in parts. Matthew is going to read it for his English class and I wanted to be ready to share the experience of this book with him. Tonight Jay worked on a hanging light over the press -so exciting!!! Hooray for pi day!

An Update!!!

It was brought to my attention that I have not blogged in over a YEAR! I am afraid that I have fallen in to the trap of having missed so many wonderful amazing events that it is difficult to know where to start, and so I merely chose not to. My daughter gave me some great advice... just start with today. And so I do, I start with wonderful today... an ordinary day of trying to grow and learn and serve and do. Nothing really to report except that life is full and rich and wonderful. I spent a good part of the day in the garage organizing type and puttering in the want-to-be letterpress studio. I will take some pictures and share that sometime soon. I am basking in the glow of being part of a wonderful family. Some highlights of this week that I actually documented with photos are: the fourth grade Colonial Day! I got to slip into my mop cap (which was actually an old bonnet we had around that I cut the ties off of and wore backwards with the brim tucked in) and a long skirt and volunteer for the day at this wonderful festivity. I got to outline many many shadows of childrens profile's to make silloettes, watch fantastic dancing... Emily's dancing partner for the Virginia Reel is a sweet little girl in her class that has downs syndrome. Emily loves Hannah and Hannah loves Emily. The sheer joy on Hannah's face as they doe-se-doed is an image I hope to keep in my heart. I will include a pic of Em in her fabulous Colonial outfit that a kind friend loaned to us. I will also include a photo of Friday night papermaking with Emily and her friend Stephanie. They made some beautiful paper! It was a fun night. Well, cheers to blogging... to ordinary days made wonderful with the love of people and experience and to the highlights that bless us along the way!