Almost Grayton time!

Let the excitment build!
One week 'till Grayton!!!

News of Family Birthdays

A big SHOUT-OUT to Ford and Molly for a very
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(Ford is a mind blowing Sixteenager @#!%&!* and Molly is more beautiful than ever.)

A Wonderful California Visit...

The visit was short but sweet and meant the world to us.  To Kristin, Alan, Beth, Adrienne, Keegan and Aidan:  Thank you for showing us the best parts of your lives and making us feel included in them.  We enjoyed every minute.  Can't wait to see you again in August and September!  You are loved.:)

Summer Camp, Issy and Emily Style!

All grown up and always good friends, cousins and YaYa sisters (along with Morgan) Issy and Emily have taken on, as camp counselors, a summer camp this year full of arts, crafts, water play, music, snacks and lunch for eight little neighborhood girls that attend!

I was quite impressed this morning when I went to photograph and see for myself what Issy and Emily's summer camp was all about.  Today's theme was HOLIDAYS.  The girls had many listed and had fun activities to celebrate each one...

Looking around the room I found all kinds of projects that had gone on before I arrived, including a ping-pong table full of hand painted pillow cases that were laying out to dry...

Camp looked fun and all the little girls looked so happy, especially when it was announced that it was time for Popsicles!

While the girls were busy playing games, Mama Regas was up stairs preparing lunch ( I saw alphabet shaped french fries being prepared that looked really yummy!), so before I left the campers graciously gathered to pose for a picture (less one camper who had to leave briefly for a doctor's appointment).  Then I slipped out to avoid further interruption.

Everyday this week, from 10:00 o'clock to 2:00, Isabelle and Emily have been working; taking on the full responsibility (except for lunch preparation) of running a day camp for girls.  They faithfully clean up when the day is over and then set up for the next day of camp.  From tuition, the girls planned and bought supplies for each activity and will get a pay check from what is left after expenses.  I saw evidence of some really good book keeping too!  From what I witnessed, I'd say the demand for Issy and Emily's camp week will be high in the coming years.  Congratulations girls on a job well done...

  Wish I could come for "water day" tomorrow!

You won't recognize me...

.

We bought a new car yesterday, a 2012 Ford Escape.   I already miss my 1997 Jeep.  This is going to take some getting use to.

July 9, 1977- # Thirty-four!

It's another July celebration, the fireworks are still brightly popping and my love for you never wavers. Thank you for putting up with me for all these years. I know I am not always easy but my heart is right and it's yours. 

Happy Anniversary, Darling.

I can't think of a better way to express my love...it bears repeating:

I love you and YES, I will.

Today at Northcroft...

Nothing more need be said.

To God be the Glory.

William's Photography Camp

Flip Book

This week grandson, William has been at Northcroft attending a little "Photography Camp" that I am doing for him.  We have had a great time learning about, perspective, making a flip book, going on picture safari and reading about how to take pictures.  Today he is having a lesson with a friend of mine who knows a lot about taking pictures.  William is fun, interested and enjoys learning.  He is also starting to beat me at Rummikub!

Yesterday we got caught in Ms Oliver's garden by a rain storm!  It has rained all night too but maybe we can use the gloomy day to take pictures of reflections in a rain drop.

4Th of July at Northcroft!

Some of us got together in the mountains for our annual 4th of July long weekend celebration and...

good food, 

 family fellowship,

 Shannon's birthday,

 and last but not least, to be amazed by the annual fireworks display; supplied and designed by, Grandad.

(picked out by all, lit and performed by Shannon and Tom).

The "supper" sparklers are a kid favorite that is exquisitely displayed, and danced with, prior to the fireworks show.

All fireworks are kept fairly close to the ground so as not to catch the forest on fire!

But the show packed a powerful punch in beauty and length!

The man of the hour!

Joining us this year, from England via Little Corn Island, was Kate's very special friend, Simon.  With his love of family and attention to the children, he fit right in!

He and Kate captured it all in one long exposed photography.

I love God, this family and our country.  Happy 4th of July, 2011!