The Trumbles (as Shane says...)

Our good friends, the Turnbulls, are here for a visit as they hang in limbo between their last place of residence in Falls River, MA to their next place, Mozambique. Ken & Lisa's 20th Anniversary is today, so we have the 'kids' for two days! How fun is that! It is a bit stretching as we have gone from a household of 2 to a household of 7! : )

Yesterday we went swimming, then three of the kids were out metal detecting with Shane, while Hannah & Damarise helped me with supper.

















After supper, dishes, and a bit of relaxing, we watched "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" before bedtime.













We all slept in, except me. For some reason, probably because of being more responsible, I was awake and up at 6:45! I quietly worked on our latest newsletter and Prayer Request inserts, hoping to get them all mailed out with someone heading back to the U.S. this next week - maybe Turnbulls. : ) Sarah was up before the other kids, sitting in our easy chair, working on her homework at about 8:00. Bless her heart! Breakfast was pancakes and sausage. Mmmmmm

Real Start of Summer

We just finished with two days of intenst PTC (Practical Training Class) with the 1st year students. Most of them are gone already this morning, and those who haven't left, will be leaving soon. You could pray for their traveling safety. : ) The students got so much done and it has been such an encouragement to those of us who stay here for the summer. To name a few of what got done: Academy playground weeding, lake bulrush weeding, mowing, frizbee golf "holes" painted, stripping/waxing of classroom floors, cleaning, firewood cutting, powerwashing deck & gym siding, and restoring a deep freezer.

Shane got a good sleep last night and slept in to the unheard hour of 9:20!

(Sorry no pictures attached.)

Home Again, Home Again, Jigidy-Jig

Our trip came to an end as we pulled up in front of our apartment, a.k.a. Ground Hog Hole, at about 7:20 this morning. It is a bit earlier than we had mostly planned, and I say mostly because we were going to take the ferry. We got to our last turnoff at 2:30 A.M. and decided that since Shane had gotten a few hours of sleep that we would just drive around the lake. We could have driven the 1/2 hr. and slept in line for the 9:10 A.M. ferry, but since we were doing so well we continued on. Shane is now sleeping, and I will join him as soon as I finish this up.

To back up to yesterday, Alan was speaking at Nipigon Baptist Church, so the family went to hear him. The gang of us, except Alan who was going elsewhere for lunch, went to Traintingers again where Wendy and Deb put on a fabulous roast meal! (We brought the salad, and Meagan made two yummy cakes.) Jeremy & Candice were up along with a friend, Justin. We had a super time with the gang there - thanks guys!! - and we began our drive at 4 P.M.















And HOW could I forget to report on our wildlife sightings!!! That is one of my highlights of our trips up North!! Well, I was beginning to wonder if we would ever see a moose this year and had pretty much given up the idea when low and behold we come onto this straight stretch with swamp all to the right. There was a van stopped and of course we had to look around to see why they might be stopped. That's when we saw this guy. In my trips North I've only seen females, so this was a treat to see this young bull. When everyone else was gone we stuck around and enjoyed watching him for about 10 minutes before he mozied on into the bush. Wow. What a nice treat from the Lord!
(Pictures taken by my handsome assistant. :) )

Finishing Up

We made some progress on the house, and here's a few more pictures.






































































The guys also got a chance to go out fishing together. That is always a highlight for Shane. : ) Here's a few of what they caught.












Here's a fun shot of Grandma and Alan being feisty!

Heading Farther North

With Nathan being up from Florida, the three of us headed up to Thunder Bay on the 29th. We spent a few days with Dave & Wendy, Little Man & Markie, to camp for Canada Day and that night here to Grandma Whatley's.


Canada Day at a cottage.
























Shane & Alan "canoe-skiing" to fish the other side of the lake. Nice form guys! : )












Construction done around the house...

Ladies Hike

Our ladies hike was over a week ago - Wednesday and Thursday. Shane led the hike and I shuttled the cars with one and sometimes two of the ladies. I would have hiked this year again, but I strained my right knee ligaments or muscles playing soccer the Friday before the hike. So, I got to be with the ladies in a different way. It was really a nice time.

We all head out..
























Breakfast at "Top Notch." Ruth wanted to know, "What moose?"












Saying, "Happy hiking!" as everyone heads out.











































Around the fire..(KayZue's first smore!)




































2:30 A.M. Bear excitement! Joy reporting on hers, Amanda's, and Avie's event of the morning.
























Hangin' Out while we waited for the group to meet us...
























Miscellaneous...

Inglis, Old Baldy, and Hogg

Having Nathan up here, as well as John Oliver, from Florida, we dicided to take them out to do a little sightseeing. Nathan had been to these places before when he was a student, but it had been a while.

Inglis Falls































Old Baldy on the Niagara Escarpment in Beaver Valley





























Hogg Falls - Shane saw it on the map and we decided to find it.