Life

Steve had this past week off and we did lots of work around the house and some fun activities with the kids. One of the highlights was refinishing an old 80's hutch given to us by Steve's aunt and uncle. (Joyce, you might decide you want your old thing back after seeing it!!) We painted it red and then "dirtied" it up with sanding and stain. It looks pretty cool. Kinda bold for us but we'll make it work somehow.

We got to end our week with some time away for Steve and I. We spent 3 days in Philadelphia, just the 2 of us. It was SOOOOOO nice to get away and have some time to catch up with each other. We did not do anything too extravagant, just hung out, talked a lot, and enjoyed bring together. No pictures, we are not nearly as cute or fun to take shots of as our kids. Thanks again, mom and dad, for keeping the kiddos so we could get away!!

After today life will start a new "normal". Tomorrow will Steve will start his job interning at the church (with no more "recovering from Pastor's College" days!!). Life will change once again, but we are excited where God has brought us and all that is in store for us up ahead.

Tubing

Steve has had this week off (yeah!!) and amidst trying to still get
our house in order, we have been trying to do some fun things with
the kids. Today, Steve and the girls went tubing down the creek by our
place. I dropped them off at a bridge and then they tubed to the bridge
that is right by our house. Fun for all. I was bummed I could not go,
but between Aaron being a little too small for the adventure and my
increasingly large frame, we decided it best for me to stay home. I did
take some picts from the bridges, but they are not very good b/c I was so
far away.

Aaron playing in the tube before we left





Climbing in

Cherry pickin"

In keeping with our annual tradition, my parents took the kids
to pick cherries at a local orchard. So yummy...






Dad and Aaron breaking the rules (no kids on the ladder!!)


Poor Morgan spilled her bucket after working so hard to fill it!


When we were done we had picked 50 lbs. of cherries (this pic does
not have them all in)

Aaron

Morgan

Claudia

Fun picts

While in Gaithersburg, we became friends with a family who had 5 girls.
Their oldest was 14 and an amazing photographer. Before we left, she took
some shots of the kiddos and I to use for my father's day gifts. Now that
Father's Day has come and gone, I will be posting some of my faves.







Aaron lovin on his cousin, Alana


All the Heitland grandkids

Garden

Thanks to my dad, one evening last week we were able to get a
"bare bones" veggie garden in. We have a bunch of sweet corn,
lima beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, zuchinni, and one random pumpkin
plant that was bought on accident!!

And more...

Claudia, Morgan, and Aidan


Toby and Ronan




Baywatch babe?

More creek stompin'

Aaron having a good time


The kids wanted to build a dam


All the kiddos by the finished dam

Friends...

We have been having a great week being home. We have been working very
hard to unpack and get life back in order... but it has paid off. This
weekend, some of our friends from the Pastor's College stopped by for a
few days visit on their way to Arizona.

The kids toasting their soda's at supper


A pic at our Amish neighbor's fence


Aaron and his buddy Ronan splashing in the creek by our house


"I baptize you in the name of the Father..."


Toby and Rebekah Kurth

Final Days

Here are a couple picts from our final days in Gaithersburg...

The girls with their neighbor friend, Sofia


Aaron and his new buddy, Dale Landis


Steve and his graduating class


Me with the girls in my fellowship group