The 80th Birthday party for Mom~by Beth

My sister-in-law Sue and sister Lisa arranged a surprise party for our mom for Sunday, July 17th, 2016.  Our brother Matt flew in from a business trip in Boston (he lives in England) for two days in order to be at the party.  We were able to surprise Mom with him being there, but still kept the surprise of the party secret.  After church the next day my brother Matt and I diverted Mom and Dad to where we held the party.  We took lots of photos.  It was a glorious day.

Matt surprises Mom at the mall on Saturday

Mom and Dad with five of their seven children

Jonathan and Beth Blikstad family with 9 of our children and grand daughter

Woody and my sister Lisa

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dad

Lydia

Emma

My nephew Andrew and his wife Stephanie

My brother Mark and wife Sue

Trina Purn, Mom's pastor's wife, and her daughter Irene

Lisa's daughter Rachel and her sweetie Parker

Abigail

My brother Matt

Lisa's son Josh

My brother Paul and his wife Anne

Paul's daughter Victoria

Uncle Matt and Katie

Zach and Emma

cousins Nicholas and Stephen

Lydia, just before the Texas crew left

 After the party everyone headed over to Mom's house and there was a huge swim party and keep away game.  They stayed in for a few hours.

Lisa and Rachel up on the deck

Finally everyone headed over to Lisa's house for S'mores.  What a wonderful day.  We praise the Lord for giving us family to love and share life with,and the godly heritage we have.  He faithfully cares for us.
Two days later our family headed back  to Florida, praising God for a safe trip home. But, before we left Ohio Lisa took the kids to the Cleveland Zoo.  Here is just one photo of that.

Johanna, Abigail and Stephen by the wolf exhibit.

Ohio July 2016~by Beth

The afternoon that we were at the Creation Museum we left to drive the 4 hours north to my Mom's house in Ohio.  She has a pool so we had a lot of fun in that, especially the children.

 We lined up the girls.  They are Lydia, our grand daughter, and our 6 daughters, Abigail, Johanna, Emma, Charity, Christiana, and Katie.

 We got some super great sunscreen.  It went on very thick.  Johanna did not get the memo.

 We always warmed up laying on the front driveway.  Old times!

Creation Museum July 14, 2016~by Beth

After a restful night we all headed over to the Creation Museum.  We began outside before it got hot.  The grounds there are stunningly beautiful and the trees and plants have matured over the 9 years it has been opened.  Here are some great family shots, again with my mom and our granddaughter.

Lydia by the misting garden

Beautiful

On the bridge in the Japanese garden

Lydia by the coy pond in the garden

group shot by one of the waterfalls

Zorse

Peacocks

Another bridge in this beautiful place

Floating bridge headed back

He is big

Pet the nice dinosaur Lydia.

Look what Grandma bought me!

Ark Encounter July 13, 2016~by Beth

On July 12th we had two cars caravan to Williamstown, Kentucky.  Jon and I had our youngest 7 children divided up into two cars, and our son Zach drove his car.  Our daughter Katie joined us along with our oldest granddaughter Lydia, age 5.  We stayed in a motel that night then drove to the Ark Encounter the next day.  My mom drove down from Ohio to meet us there.  The whole thing was fabulous.  It is about 85% done, but the exhibits are complete.  Here are just a few of the many photos I took.

In the car on the way to Kentucky

Lydia

Mom and Beth

The art work was stunning all over the Ark Encounter

Abigail and Johanna try to open the big door

We got to our second hotel that evening and checked in.  After that we all went out to dinner.  With coupons and gift cards all 13 of us ate for $3.  Fun times.  The next morning we would head to the Creation Museum.