Camping Part II - the fish

My girl likes to fish.

She spent hours casting and waiting.  She loved it.
Uncle Norman set her up with a nice pole and a really big nightcrawler for bait.  I told Gracie, "He's getting you the good stuff."  And I was right.  He cast the first one for her and gave it to her.  She waited patiently and then-snag.  The first catfish.  Which before it hit the dock was named "Chloe". The second was named "Bob the Tomatoe" and the third fish went unnamed.

Bob

We released them all.  Mike nor I could remember how to clean one.  Lucky fishies... 

Then we got to go for a boat ride.

Norman took us on his boat all the way around the lake.  It was great!

Thanks Norman and Kay for letting us stay, and for taking us on a boat ride and for loaning us awesome fishing stuff!  We had so much fun!

Camping

We went camping

in this little bit of heaven

to see this...

(drumroll please)

The Canoe Ramp. 

Built in 1984 by the man himself, Michael David Siffring, Eagle Scout extraordinare. 
Built for the people of Nebraska and all who canoe.

We were so impressed, as would anyone who canoes, or maybe anyone who just walks down the steps to swim in the river (that is what we did).

It was a thing of beauty.  And the man himself so humble about his great doings.  Never once mentioning the need for a plaque to be hung with his name on it.  Really, he never mentioned it.
(OK-only a few times.)

So here's what we did there:

swimming in river

rode bikes

saw lots of butterflies, a lizard, ladybugs, deer, and a wild turkey and othe animals I don't remember
made a campfire
roasted marshmellows and hotdogs
sang around campfire
went to see the lookout tower
rode bikes more
swam some more

all of which these are the only pictures I took:

The butterfly wisperer

bike ride through facility and on really long bridge over river.

campfire genious teaching small ones to play with fire

(not really! but man building really big fire)

We stayed there for two nights and the next two at the cabin (those pictures tomorrow).

We are really proud of you Daddy! YO THE MAN!

Tomorrow is Camping Part II - the fish.
(Riveting. I know!)

Shine

Photo by Grace

SHINE FORTH! 

May all the brilliance and beauty the Lord has bestowed in you COME FORTH! 

May it radiate your life's song that He sang into you and all the life He breathed into you.  

You were meant to shine and to shine BRILLIANTLY.  

You are fearfully and wonderfully made by Him.

And He put inside you glorious wonders that show who He is through you!

So SHINE.

SHINE for all to see.  That they may see HIM in you and all his brilliant creation and glorious wonders.

You are beautiful!

Last day of school

Friday was the last day of school for Grace.
She won an award (very cool!)
And they had Rock-n-roll chapel (very fun!) 

Grace and Mrs. Kasper

She is such a great teacher! 

And Grace got to have her for two years!
We will miss you Mrs. Kasper!

now...

It is now officially summer!

Bailey

Have I ever introduced you to Bailey, the neightborhood cat? 
She is so sweet. 
She comes down to our house and lets the kids pet her and pick her up and all she does is purrrr. 
We love her. 
She even comes in our house and visits, well, until Emma discovered her in the house and then that was the end of that.
When we go on walks, she comes out to the road to meet us.
She was a bit shy for this picture.  Everytime I held up the camera, she turned her head away. 
Isabel says, "Bailey, she's so coot" in the sweetest little voice.
Grace grew up lugging her around the yard and she use to follow Grace and I to the park.
We have known her now for 7 years.
Thanks for being such a great neighbor Bailey!

Fun Day

Grace's class had their Fun Day yesterday.  They went to the park and swimming and then watched a movie.  They had a blast!

Grace and Tilly at the pool.

The 2nd Grade class.  Great kids!

Grace is front/center in the blue shirt.

Her last day of 2nd grade is Friday.  I can't believe it is over!  Wow!

(All the photos of the day turned out blury, but I thought you would get the idea :)

Lazy Sunday

After a busy week, we might just hang out today.

and sunbathe our feet

so they have those flipflopy lines

and soak up some sun.

Happy Sunday!