Catching up on 2017~by Beth

So, life is busy when you're busy, right?  Since it has been so long since having time to blog I can only give some highlights.  Here are some of the fun things we did last year. 

Just before leaving Florida, we were able to enjoy a local AAA game.

Vacation time started with our conference in Taccoa, Georgia the end of May.  I had the 5 youngest children with me.  Jon stayed home for work and other responsibilities.

Stephen crosses river in ALERT cadets

Stephen heading to his program by the lake

What a beautiful spot to have our conference

First day for their programs

Charity was a leader for PreEmbassy for Abigail's group

Emma sings in closing program 

Johanna sings in closing program after moving up to Commit

Our name as charter members at the Ark Encounter

The youngest 4 in front of the life size Ark

Display at the Ark Encounter showing possible ways to care for animals

Charity left us in Georgia to head to her STEP program in Texas for the month of June.  The remaining four children and I headed up to Ohio to visit my family, with stops at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY, and the Creation Museum on the Kentucky side of Cincinnati.

Display of possible ventilation

Creation Museum 

We had a mini reunion of sorts as my aunt and uncle from Arizona were in town.  We enjoyed a Memorial Day picnic with them and my siblings in town.  The pool is always a big hit with the children.  I don't have a photo, but we managed a walk up to Doc's Shake Shoppe too.

Emma, Abigail and Parker

6 of the 7 children, Ellen, Mark, Beth, Tim, Lisa, and Paul

Beth, Aunt Debra and Mom

 As we usually do, Mom and I went shopping.  One day, with all the kids in tow, we stopped for lunch and decided to share a milk shake.  I think this is the most people I have ever shared with.







The four children and I left for Texas to visit with our children and grand daughters who live there.  We made the trip in 3 segments, stopping right at 400 miles for fuel and bathroom breaks.  The kids were very accommodating.  I got to see Nathan's new office in his new building.  We also visited Splash Park, near their home.

Nathan in his office 

Splash Park with Stephen and Lydia

Audrey has a good time

After Charity finished her program she had a closing ceremony.

Charity and Katie

We stopped in Longview at LeTournea University and had a nice tour from our DIL's father.  We concluded our vacation by stopping at IKEA and had a great time.

At home for Independence day we went to a local parade and had a cookout later that day.  Fireworks at night completed the day.

We made a visit in August to the Perot Museum when I flew back to Dallas for the birth of Isabelle.  Emma stayed in Texas for the summer and then flew home with me.  Meanwhile, at home, Charity began our school year.

Emma and her nieces in front of the Perot Museum

New school year (minus Emma in Texas)

The really big news was the birth of our newest grand daughter born to Nathan and Hannah Blikstad in Texas.

In September Irma visited us.  This is our house with shutters up in preparation for the hurricane.  We fared well and had little damage.

Next post will be about projects that we accomplished during the Summer and Fall into the new year.