Rachel Elizabeth

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. “

Whereas

Rachel Elizabeth Coder

Has not only mastered a body of knowledge pursuant to a secondary education, but has also demonstrated Godly wisdom and personal maturity based upon faith in Jesus Christ, we are pleased to announce her graduation from high school.

McMurphy House

Then.....

                                       .......and now.

Sewing Day

Madeline was the only seamstress from our family today. (Meggie was unwell.)

Today we made shorts! A great ...short... project that was completed in ample time, allowing for some outside play afterward!

Here's the finished project, bubble shorts w/ side pockets!

Brigade Encampment

On National Get Outdoors Day, Fort Vancouver sponsors Brigade Encampment, commemorating the return of the trappers to the fort, which was run by the Hudson's Bay Company.

Here are the costumed volunteers at the end of the day. Ben, Emily, Rachel, Joshua, and James all participated this year! 

Here are some pix...

There are booths from outdoorsy organizations set up to whet your appetite for summer fun....so the littles (K5) had a go at rock climbing...

Benj and Em provided music for dancing in the afternoon.

A bit of hatchet throwing

Here's a fine looking gentleman educating folks about the furs traded here at the fort.

Dancing, dancing,....

Dancing

Oh and Gregg an I got away the previous weekend to Timberline Lodge...I think it's the only place in the states that you can ski in the summer.....

We didn't ski... Just hiked around a bit, but they did have 2 lifts operating!

Beautiful weather. Beautiful place. (Just about an hour and a half from where we live!)

Delicious food!
 We are trying to go away every month this year in celebration of our 25 anniversary! This was one of the weekends!

Around the Yard

Twin rose buds in one flower!

Arbor brightly arrayed!

Sheepish happenings....

And this....

Not in our yard, but visiting our county fairgrounds for the Rose Festival...

The Beautiful Clydesdsles....

The BIG beautiful Clydesdales...

No Cinderella foot here!

Giant beauties.

So went our day.

USS Lake Champlain

This morning we dropped our boys - well three of them - off at the Port of Kalama to ride this boat into Portland. Gregg has been on this adventure before, but it is a first trip for Grandpa and James.

Wish I had better pictures, but perhaps the guys will provide me with those when I retrieve them later today.

They're Home!

Ben and Josh returned from their travels tonight! We are all so happy to have them back and look forward to hearing their tales in the coming days!

Sent from my iPhone

Picking Sheep

We went to Goldendale for our children to pick out lambs for the fair. 

Here's Madeline with her lamb, Surely. (Named after her favorite from last year)

Here's Grace...,well, in the back is Grace.

Megan.....not in full possession of her animal....but what are Dads for, anyway?

More sheepish pictures this summer !

Hope ewe had a great weekend !

The things I put up with...

Beautiful Mount Hood as seen crossing the Columbia River from Portland OR to Vancouver WA.

(Just on the way home from cello lessons the other day!)

Somebody's gotta live here you know! 

I'll take it for the team.

Hope you are having some lovely Spring weather where ever you are!

It is with great pleasure...

Benjamin graduated Saturday May 10th with a degree in mechanical engineering!

My Ben is on the right. (The other gentleman is also named Ben!)

We are so excited to see what The Lord has in store for him!

At present, however, he and Joshua are visiting my sister in France, and then hope to satisfy some historical interests visiting the British Isles!

When he returns, he will go to work at Hewlett Packard. We are really grateful to The Lord for the provision of employment for him.

Picture Test!!

The Littles sewed and sewed with their friends. These are the finished products!!

Fun stuff!!

Happy Valentine's Day!