August Trip #7: Around the House/Family

August 31st, 2009

This is going to be the last August Trip post in the series. Whew! What a ride. (you guys are probably relieved!) Can you believe that we took almost 400 pictures during that two week period? This has to be some sort of feat, sorting through all those and organizing them into condensed/blog form all in one week!

Okay, enough about my amazing family journaling skills, let’s turn our attention to this last post.

So in the past 5 or 6 posts you’ve seen us constantly going places, having people over, and running around in general. But some of the most fun, sweetest times we spent was at “home” with Sharon and family. We had bike rides, movie nights (LOTS of those), games, photoshoots, and just pure sweet fellowship. Angie, Nikki, Alyssa and I gathered in the kitchen every afternoon preparing meals for our families, or making desserts. (Alyssa, you’re a great watermelon seed-getter-outer!) John kept us cracking up with his infamous puns and jokes – it was splendid!

So Sharon and John, thank you for your hospitality, a lovely time and visit. We love you guys!

But wait! I’m not done yet. :-) As a sort of last minute decision, we decided to stop by and stay overnight at my brother Brian’s house before returning home. It’s been a year since we’ve seen each other, so we wanted to make sure to squeeze a short visit in, even though it was out of the way.

I didn’t get to challenge Brian to our favorite card game of Spit, but we did have many rousing games of home basketball! (with the kiddie basketball hoop). Nate and Brian did some ninja moves and beat me soundly. :-) We had dinner together, played more games, ate ice cream and watched a movie. It was short, but sweet.

Though we made several stops on the way down, we still made good time on the return journey, and arrived home at Providence Glen at a reasonable time. The next morning we were up and at ‘em again – it was a busy and exciting week for us! But more news on that later.

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That’s just a little teaser/goofy picture I though I’d add for your amusement.

Ah, it’s good to be back home again! I hope you all have enjoyed this series. God bless!

-Kasie

“I’m Kasie!”

August 31st, 2009

imkasie

~My niece Abby’s exclamation one morning, proudly wearing my hat and carrying my purse.

;-D

-Kasie

August Trip #6: Family Outing

August 30th, 2009

It was a place we’d been to years ago (like, 12!), a historic mountain lodge nestled in the hills surrounded by beautiful grounds and trails. We had always said we would go back soon, probably every year! but plans change, and in life God sends things things your way that you don’t always expect. :-)

But here we were, years later, going back!

We had to wake up very early one morning in order to get to the lodge in time for breakfast. I’m typically not an early riser, or morning person, but I can be when I want to, and it was well worth it for the fun we had! Breakfast was splendid, and very filling indeed! The views and sights were gorgeous as well – we had the perfect weather.

The best part of the morning (in my opinion) was hiking one trail in particular with Nate. It takes you under and over rocks and boulders, through places you have to crouch and suck it in. (oh yeah!) All but Mom and myself had done it during our previous visit, and I so wanted to come back to try it too, after hearing how fun it was.

My wish came true! 12 years later, but I’m so glad I got to do it! Poor Nate didn’t want to hike at all, but was so kind to oblige his excitable sister and be my protector for the trip. :-) (thanks, bro!) Check out the pictures!

Ta, ta folks! I’m off to church, and a day of truck driving, music and baseball games.  God bless!

-Kasie

August Trip #5: More Fun With Friends

August 28th, 2009

That title pretty much sums up what this post is all about – fun with friends! We are a blessed family indeed.

This batch of pictures is from a short afternoon we spent with the “B” family. We used to co-op, camp, and go to church together – it was so good to see them again!

And I’ll also throw in these great pictures as well. Just us and friends, having a good time!

Have a blessed day!

-Kasie

August Trip #4: Pretty Girls

August 27th, 2009

girls1

And matching too! These long skirts (along with some other bargain purchases) are the results of our girls shopping trip we had!

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I love this pose.

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This was our attempt at a silly picture. (it’s tradition!)

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Three pretty girls!

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It was at this point that we realized Nikki was tall enough for us to make the perfect staircase picture. Nikki may be my niece (we’re three years apart), but I’m afraid she’s going to be taller than me very soon!

-Kasie

August Trip #3: Esther

August 26th, 2009

You’ve seen her comments…

…you’ve been to her blog

…now meet the girl.

estherandnate

:-D

Sorry for the dramatic intro, Esther! I just wanted to add a some fun to the mundane “one Saturday we had Esther and her Dad over for dinner and hung out together…”

Come to think of it though, that’s exactly what we did! :-) Oh well. We had an awesome time together enjoying each other’s company, remembering old days, laughing and taking silly pictures.

Okay Esther, we went all the way to NY to see you, now you need to come visit us! :-) Come soon! It was awesome seeing you!

-Kasie

August Trip #2: Gabi’s House

August 25th, 2009

Okay. So we were in NY, enjoying the baby and family, and then our week began to fill up! We have a lot of friends in that area, and wanted to see as many as we could. Our first stop was to Gabi’s house to visit with her and her family.

Before we moved here to Providence Glen, Gabi’s house was just a bunch of plans on paper. Now, it’s all built and beautiful, and Gabi’s family has been living in it for a whole year! (my, my, time goes by fast) We were invited into their home one afternoon and were blessed to spend a few short but sweet hours with them. Check out the pictures!

Gabi and Ed, thank you guys so much for your hospitality, friendship, and generosity. We love you! (and your house is gorgeous!)

-Kasie

August Trip #1: The New Baby

August 25th, 2009

Yes, I’m an Auntie again! :-D

Our main reason for going to NY was so that Mom could deliver my sister’s 8th baby. Mom, an experienced nurse and midwife, and has delivered four of Sharon’s children! Ever since we’d heard the good news nine months ago it’s been decided between our two families that, even though we live miles away, Mom would be there again to deliver this new blessing into the world.

Dad an Walter had to stay home and work, but Nate, Angie and I excitedly joined Mom for the trip. Our prayer was that the baby wouldn’t arrive before we did, but soon afterwards. :-) God answered our prayers exactly, for not two days later “Hannah Naomi” was born!

Labor apparently went by quickly, ’cause I missed the whole thing! One minute I was sleeping soundly on my cot in the basement, and the next I heard my nieces and nephews whispering “guys! Mommy had the baby: it’s a girl!

What joy! Babies are so, so precious – a true blessing from the Lord. Hannah has been getting a lot of loving, as you’ll see in the pictures. With so many eager arms about, she was never without someone to hold her. :-)

Isn’t Hannah just so cute?

-Kasie

I’m Back!

August 23rd, 2009

itsme

Whew! I’ve just returned from a two-week trip up north with Mom, Angie and Nate – We had a blast of a time, but are glad to be back. We were kept quite busy visiting with family and friends, delivering babies (go Mom!), driving by our old home… ah!

Don’t worry, pictures and stories of our adventures are coming up ! Boy have I got a lot of sorting to do… :-)

Stay tuned!

-Kasie

Simple Things

August 6th, 2009

Life is full of…

.adventure

..adventure…

presents

…birthday presents and birthday wishes

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…delicious garden bounty

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…smiling faces. :-D

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, don’t forget to look for and enjoy the simple things of life.

-Kasie