Baby Oliver

Mimi and Oliver

 Welcome to the world, Oliver Joseph. Oliver was born to Alyssa and Joseph on April 11th at a few minutes past 10:00. He is a happy and healthy boy!

Aunt Alei and Oliver

Elijah with Oliver at a week old

Grand-dad and Oliver

 The family of three - 

 I love this pictures of Oliver smiling in his sleep - you can count on more pictures of this cutie in the future.

 Moriah's wedding is getting close - June 1st. We are looking forward to having all three of our grandsons in the new family pictures!

Camp 2019

 Last weekend was our 7th year at camp and our smallest number attending - only six of us. Tori stayed home with Moriah since Moriah was off all weekend. We had a great time as usual and while I love the activities, my favorite is just not having to cook any meals or do any dishes. I wish we had a dining hall to show up at every meal!

 The difference in camp the last two years, since it's being run by a different group, is allowing the kids to attend whatever activity they choose when it's available instead of having a rotation. Since the kids are older, it's really nice. I have few pictures of Julia because she spent hours at jewelry making while the younger three never went there at all. 

Eljah - archery

Selah was the only one who got her kite up in the time we spent trying.

Bella loves the African drumming

 Everyone loves the rock wall and high ropes course - 
 

Bella

Selah

 The lake is really a fun time, we did several laps around with different combinations of paddlers. 

Unplanned race down the hill between the camp counselor and JD, much to the girl's delight. 
 

BINGO

Laser Tag

 Our traditional last day photo missing Julia, because she was back at jewelry making. 

 About an hour after arriving home, Storm had two baby girls - Cypress and Cedar. 

 She joins Lady and her triplets - Canaan, Claudia and Carmelle - yes, it is C year. We also have two more goats that are going to add to the population within the next few days.

Essentials Projects

  Elijah and Selah have completed their large Essentials project, board and paper. That's a relief! Elijah did Samurai and Selah did Olmecs. Here are just a few pictures to show their hard work, because yes, we saved the wood sword that JD and Elijah built, but Selah's sugar pyramid and the posters have already retired at the land fill!

More Chicago and a Bit of Lancaster

 Here's a few more pictures of the guy's graduation trip to Chicago. Tori and I were supposed to go, but I have a disk issue in my back that makes sitting in the car rather painful. 15 hours each way just became rather unrealistic as the trip approached.

The trip out was uneventful, but the drive home was in a bad snowstorm and it took many extra hours. I'm thankful they arrived safely! Gabriel and Nathan were blessed with the cheap Frontier flight option - we had none of those offered between DC and Chicago unfortunately. 

This is the Willis Tower that used to be the Sears Tower; I guess it's still the tallest in the U.S. I guarantee if I had been there, I wouldn't have been standing on that deck glass! The picture alone makes me nervous.

This week we made a trip to Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA for the Jesus play. It is absolutely amazing and I would recommend it most highly to anyone who is able to go! It was Alyssa's last trip out of the state before the baby comes. 

We stayed all night and hit the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum the next morning; it was very engaging. We really enjoyed it and spent longer there than we planned. 

  

 

Next weekend is our annual weekend at camp - quick trip #4 of 5 this spring.