Kathleen's Kreek

Today we went to Tyner Creek at a spot owned by our friend Kathleen.  She and her husband Rick have it looking like a park.

Clouds began to gather and thunder rolled. We were about

to pack it in then it all went away.

Helping in Africa

When Kelly and her mission group arrived in Africa last Thursday they were dismayed that their luggage did not arrive also. Yesterday 8 out of 29 suitcases arrived and were taken to them.  They are 60 miles (as the crow flies) from the airport and the luggage was carried by two men on a very small motorcycle.

They had already unloaded the luggage when this

photo was taken.

Looks like a 125cc motor. Very small.

Piling up sand to be mixed into mortar.

Sore muscles at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, in Africa

Here are some photos from Kelly's trip:

These men are cutting up Jackfruit, a watermelon

sized fruit that actually grows on trees. Very nutritious

the flesh is sweet and tastes like a mix of banana and mango.

Jackfruit

Keeping Busy at Nana and Pop's

Last night we attended Northeastern State University's  River City Players, a musical show celebrating the Rock hits of the 70's and 80's. But before we left I made some pizzas for dinner:

  The kids enjoyed the show and afterwards we stopped by Braum's for ice cream sundaes.

The kids and I were out in the yard this morning when the mail man came. What a great surprise! Two parcels from Hawaii.  Rachel and Brad sent us some pineapples from their trip to see Brad's dad and sister. 

Then it was time to go to the creek.

Tank is always the first one in the truck.

Two Weeks at Nana and Pop's

Our daughter Kelly left today on a mission trip to Africa. So Marley, Hunter, and Jenna will be spending their week days and nights with us.  We've planned a lot of activities to keep the time spent in front of the television at a minimum. So join us on our adventures.

There's nothing like a Slip-n-Slide to while away the hot afternoons.

Family Time on the River

This weekend we got together with Dorothy's clan to spend some time at the river for good food, good company, and fun.

We met at the club house at the Illinois River Ranch and ate lunch overlooking the river

in air conditioned comfort. That's my kind of camping out.

Everyone walked, floated, swam down the river.

There goes Hunter.

Most of the kids swam over to the bluff and jumped off into the water.  Jenna went over 3 times.

School Dance

14 year old Marley is ready to attend the

 last 8th grade dance of the year

Patient Tank

I've never seen a dog as patient with children as our neighbor's Tank.

Gracen hooked a bungee  cord to Tank's collar and led him all around the yard.

Gracen hooked her end of the cord to the bush and although Tank could have easily

 walked away, he sat there until she returned for him.

Dorothy bought this table at an auction

and it has been handy for the grand kids

to do projects on. If we put toys, tools,

containers, etc. on it, Gracen will keep busy

for hours.

Note the tape measure Gracen has

attached to her pants. She's a future

engineer.

Princess Sleepover

Jenna and Gracen came over last night to spend the night with Poppie and Nana.

We ate home made hamburgers and french fries.

The girls made themselves comfortable.

They were on the swing-set this morning before they even got dressed

Clematis

Every year our Clematis produces more blooms.