County Fair

Can you just about smell the funnel cakes? You know it's going to be extra good when they deep fry this thing and then spread it with butter before adding the powdered sugar.I loved the kids' faces as they rode this little ride. Emma did "no hands" a lot, but Clay was a bit more serious as he really thought he was controlling the motorcycle. Dad and Mom, Aud and L.T., thanks for a fun-filled night at the fair. The rodeo, sea lion show, and cat costume contest were things we'll remember!

Blueberry

This week we went to the Blueberry Ranch with Grandpa Rack for some good blueberry pickin'. Then we came home and made the best blueberry pancake dinner. Ever. Mmmmm.

Franklin, TN

We visited Jeff's sister Melissa and her family in Franklin this past week. We enjoyed laid-back summer days, running, swimming, swinging in the backyard, and playing with cousins. The parents went on a date night to The Red Pony downtown, where we laughed hard, enjoyed great food, and listened to 80's music. The boys went hiking at a local state park, while the girls had a tea party and watched "Anne of Green Gables" at home. The dads and kids went on an adventurous bike ride. And my favorite picture of the weekend . . . Here's Ashlyn with Emma, who is wearing Aunt Melissa's vintage ballerina outfit that she wore when she was a little girl.
We're so thankful for the great family God has given us. Eric and Melissa, thank you for your warm Southern hospitality! We love you.

Boston

Jeff was able to go with his Dad to Boston last weekend to visit his brother Scott and his wife, Jayme. They enjoyed eating lobster, seeing Waldon's Pond, and spending time touring the city. Jeff loved the beauty of Boston and the energy there. It's a city of thousands of college students, beautiful architecture, rich in history and stories from the past.

He found a city filled with churches, yet in need of a new chapter spiritually. They walked on the Freedom Trail, which led them to several historic sites.

The Old North Church is the oldest active church building in Boston. It is the site where the famous "one if by land, two if by sea" signal is said to have been given on the night of Paul Revere's ride.

Here is North Bridge where the battle of Lexington occurred.

Thanks, Scott and Jayme for your wonderful hospitality. We love you!

Bliss

Jeff and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary. I can't believe how fast it's gone. To borrow from a Brad Paisley song, "And I thought I loved you then." It just keeps getting better.

J.R., You're my running buddy, my fellow hiker, my best friend, my love. You push and challenge me, you lead me on crazy adventures, you laugh and cry with me, you make the best pancakes in the morning, you watch sunsets with me, you just make me smile.

I love to look back at our story and see how God has led us. From Elkhart, to Pasadena, to India, to . . . I'm glad to be on this journey with you, right by your side.

The Best of Little Eden

Every summer for as long as I can remember I have gone to Camp Little Eden.

And, every summer for as long as my Dad can remember, he has gone to Little Eden.

And, it's where my Grandpa and Grandma Lehman met, at Little Eden church camp . . . in the summer of 1949.

The place still has the same little creek running through it. . . the creek where Dad used to catch frogs, and I used to pick flowers, and now my kids play in it. The place still has that same scent . . . log cabins with a musty smell, the gas from the boats, the fish in the lake, and fresh pine all around. It's a beautiful place . . . Little Eden.

Last week, 67 out of 70 family members came back to the place where it all began. We even got t-shirts for the occasion! We enjoyed bonfires on the beach and long talks while we watched the sun go down beyond the waters' edge. Grandpa told us the story of how he fell in love with Grandma, 60 years ago.Here are a few of my favorite beach shots. The shores of Lake Michigan are one of the prettiest places to me. It's fun to now see my own kids enjoying the places I loved when I was little.