Memorial Day Cabin Retreat

The entire Moyers clan kicked off summer with a trip to the cabin and away from civilization. Kelly and Jon arrived by late afternoon on Friday, and we hung around Broadway that night. We made some kick-butt popcorn, and Kelly finally got to see Frozen!

Here are a couple of shots of the girls from that evening:

Saturday morning we stocked up on groceries and then headed to the mountain, minus Hannah and Charles. One of Hannah's friends from school was having a campout sleepover for her birthday Saturday night, and Hannah really wanted to go to that before spending the rest of the weekend with us.

We picked up BBQ chicken in Broadway that we had for lunch that day. While Carter took his nap with Grandpa, the rest of us walked to see the Indian graves that are on the way to the middle field. Sophie walked all the way there (nearly two miles) and then caught a ride back. She was a trooper! Along the way she found a cool tree shaped with a perfect seat.

I walked with a companion all the way there and back. Henry loves to walk!

Sophie is very good with Henry. She plays gently with him and holds him steady. Though her usual playmate (Hannah) wasn't there, she kept herself occupied and sometimes would disappear upstairs to read quietly on her own.

Sunday I had to go out to church so that I could teach Sunday school. I met Hannah and Charles there, and we all rode back to the mountain together. When I left that morning Sophie and Carter were painting rocks that they picked from the river bed.

On our way back we spotted both bald eagles in a tree as we were driving by the lake. To be accurate, Hannah spotted them and then we each caught a glimpse through the binoculars. After eating a little lunch several of us took a walk down to the river to play while the little ones and Grandma and Grandpa rested.

Charles rode his bike and got his only pair of boots wet while riding across the river.

While Jon had a dilemma in crossing the river,

the girls and Charles built a dam across the water and just played, wading and throwing rocks to get each other wet.

And eventually Jon made it out of his predicament!

That evening Charles cooked some delicious chicken on the grill, and then we made a fire for s'mores.

We all went to bed tired out from the day's activities, which also included fishing and canoeing at the lake.

Monday morning we made pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast and then spent time together while packing up to return to the real world.

We also tried to get a family photo using Kelly and Jon's nice camera. Here's an outtake that was worthy of me snapping a quick photo:

I'm now officially ready for summer (only two days of school left!) and also anxious to find a time to visit North Carolina and spend more time with my two fun little nephews!

Tale of the Three Trees

Sunday was the last of the numerous performances this week. And even though the history teacher in me loved the theme for the EMES Spring Program and it was super cool for the girls to be part of a high school musical, I think "The Tale of the Three Trees" was my favorite of all of the events.

It tells the story of three trees who have great dreams and aspirations. One wants to be a beautiful chest with a silver lock that holds precious treasure for a wealthy lord. One wants to become the mast of a ship that heads a mighty fleet for a king. And one wants to grow straight and tall with branches pointing to heaven.

In turn, each tree is chopped down and made into its own unique purpose.

The first tree becomes not a beautiful chest for treasure but a manger that holds the baby Jesus.

The second tree becomes a bench on a fishing boat, a bench that holds the sleeping master while the storm rages all around.

And the third tree, the third tree is flawed and is discarded as scrap in the lumber yard until found by soldiers and planted high on a hill where Jesus is to be crucified.

The musical carries a powerful message with beautiful music. It ends with this refrain:

A Prayer for Tomorrow

Dreams, we all have dreams,

What we can be, what we can do.

Lord, with all we are,

We pray that our dreams will lead us,

Will lead us to you.

Noah's Flood

I twisted the girls' arms into being part of our high school musical, Noah's Flood. The director needed children for an animals chorus. I though they would enjoy it, but they were reluctant. They ended up being mice and LOVED it. Here are some photos:

And a video of the cool effects during the flood scene. During this the animals were on the boat making the sound effects.

Spring Program 2014

This past week has been busy, busy, busy with the girls participating in three different performances. This post and two following will tell you all about them.  First up, the EMES Spring Program.

This year's program had a fun theme that started at the beginning of U.S. history and had songs from each major time period up through the 1960s. Sophie participated in a colonial dance and got to wear a cute little bonnet.

She also sang a very long song with the kindergarten and first graders about what the settlers brought with them called "When I Came Into This Land."

Hannah was a 1920s flapper girl and did the Charleston with her class. This was a lot of fun to watch!

They sang some great classics from the 60s such as "Blowin in the Wind" and "We Shall Overcome," but both girls' favorite was "Surfin' USA."

I absolutely loved the theme for this concert, and both girls learned a lot about our nation's history in the process of preparing for this program. Thanks and kudos to Mrs. Anderson!

I'm Finally Smart!

I've finally joined the ranks of the smartphone users. I had a Blackberry a few years back for about a day before I returned it. I didn't like the feeling of being constantly connected to the online realm. My, how the world has changed in just a few short years!

Here are some shots from the weekend, taken with my beautiful new smartphone:

Sophie sleeping with her folded blankets on each pillow for "extra cushioning." She also has her fan remote and book within easy reach. Later that night she came to my room, frightened because she had accidentally turned on the fan full blast while sleeping.

An early birthday present from Granny and Papa

It actually fits her and matches her helmet perfectly

And Granny got her Mother's Day present early, a garden flag by Sophie

Everyone took a ride to the park on their bikes

Babysitting Baby Cedric

Late April Photo Update

Gymnastics finished for the spring semester. Hannah wants to continue, Sophie does not. Both are to stay in the same class/level. We are considering a change of venue for continued classes. There is a place in Broadway that does them.

Lately there's been bike riding, lots of bike riding. The park is a frequent destination.

The sun rising along my 7-mile run last Saturday morning. I spent the rest of that day babysitting Carter and Henry while Grandpa took Grandma to the emergency room. Not a fun day for them, but I got to hold a precious sleeping baby!

 

This project was begun in September. Yesterday I finally got around to vacuuming up the sawdust that was left in its wake. In my defense, I was waiting for the project's completion (which has yet to be finished).