Just before my hubby’s grandparents arrived here on Wednesday, Japheth Jr. remarked that "today we get to see our Great Great Great Grandpa and Grandma!"  We encouraged him not to make them older than they already were!

We are enjoying the warmer weather and the ability of the children to play outside for more than 15 minutes without getting cold.  We also have fun gathering maple sap with Grandpa for syrup making.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Just returning with almost 100 gallons of sap.  It will make about 3 gallons of syrup.  Waffles, anyone?

Great Grandma has read a lot of stories in the last half week, and the begging still continues.  I think that she will have Curious George memorized till she leaves!

We couldn’t take any more of Lynne by herself cause the battery charger is at work . . . so we had to stop with this.

Oh . . . and here’s the Photographer with scruff and all . . . and his helper

Japheth and I had fun this morning taking pictures . . . Boy, they’re growing up!!!

Blessings on the new year! - Japheth & Aimee

"Now may the God of hope fill you, with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

Baby arrived yesterday . . . no, not ours :)( we still have a little over a week yet I suppose) though we do claim a bit of owership as he is our first nephew! (Haven’t seem him yet)

Japheth took a week off work. Hallelujah!!!

First we went camping.

Now for the past seven years when it comes to swimming, I have been acutely aware of the fact that I was spoiled in VA having a nice clean pool without fish swimming about biting you, without the occasional blood sucker, without weeds growing in the water ( that scare one so), and without having to swim in cold water. I admit it. I was spoiled. I still have a hard time getting over it. But none the less my husband pulls me out and makes me go farther and stay longer than I like in these kind of conditions, although I try to stay by the shore and “take care of the babies” sitting in my lawn chair in the water. Now I know times have changed . . . I used to be a lot more adventuresome than this . . . but hey, I’m a mom now . . . I don’t particularly want or look for adventure, I just want some relaxation time.

Japheth and Jeremiah got to have airplane rides with Dale in his two seater. It was a bean auction thing.

This week also held a great accomplishment for Jeremiah. He is now riding bike with no training wheels! Yippee!!!

And today we hit a few garage sales and the wood carvers festival.

But of course the best part is just being together and doing things together as a family!!!

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures though it’s been a few years ago . . .

Dear Lord, I ask for special Spiritual blessings for this special man, the father of my sons and daughters . . . not necessarily comforts of this life but the sweet dew and rain of the spiritual down pouring of your Holy Spirit, Your courage, Your boldness, Your sensitivity, Your love and Your faithfulness . . . These are what really matter and I’m SO THANKFUL that my husband, the man that I love so deeply, desires this also . . . My dreams are being fulfilled each day . . . My man is a Man of God, a Man of the Word . . .

I deeply respect and honor him . . . He’s my best friend and counselor . . . My lover . . . My closest loved one . . . . God bless you richly, Honey, with His kind of riches. Your wife and Sweetheart forever!