New Swing Set at Lakeview CRC

It's been a busy day at church.  Lots of dads and grandpas working on some fun stuff for the kids.  I think the men  have had a good share of fun just putting this thing together.  But, as far as I understand --- there have been some frustrations --- oh! those blueprints / instructions / directions.    Gotta have 'em......but good grief!!    It sure looks good and I think the kids will have a blast!!!   Matthew said "if we aren't home in the next 4 hours --- we're probably playing on it".

So -- who was there???  Let's see....... Gary, Dean, Dakota, Shane, Gregory, Jimmy, Matthew, Jay, Pastor Mark.....(hope I didn't miss anybody) .    Dawn said Marlys came with pizzas for lunch that Vern had made.  What a crew!!!!
There were a couple of pickups that had mulching in the back....so whether or not they get to that yet today ---- it's ready to be put on.

And what a beautiful day to do this --- working under the shade of the trees --- it's around 88 degrees with a nice breeze.  Perfect!!!!

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

Something new ---- Sand Cherries

Dan Tinant asked us if we wanted to pick some Sand Cherries.......actually he and Gary were out roaming in Dan's "side by side" and saw that these berries were ripe.     So we could come in an hour and he would be available to help us.   Thank goodness this was before noon and the breezes were blowing.  By 2:00 it had turned into an oven outside......we saw 118 on our thermometer about 3:00--- we do know that's a little high --- but close.

Anyway.... We had never picked Sand Cherries before --  I thought they were on a real low to the ground bush.   These were just a nice height --- no bending over and no reaching.  They are dark purple and taste a lot like a choke cherry ---- makes your mouth pucker!!!

We (together) got an ice cream bucket almost full.   There would really be a nice crop this year but it's just so terribly dry that the berries are drying up.  Plus either the grasshoppers or birds are getting a lot of them.   There are still some that need to ripen -- so perhaps another picking.........

I made one batch of jelly ---- oh is it pretty ...... and oh so tasty.     And I canned about 3 1/2 cups for another batch.  

As I said we REALLY need rain badly.  Ranchers are starting to sell their cattle due to lack of good grazing.  We see storm clouds go by but the moisture misses us.  Fire danger is also a worry.   But God is good and today we reaped some wonderful harvest.  Will have to remember that as we enjoy some toast and jelly this winter......or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich......hhhmmmmm   sounds kind of good........

Stay cool -----
Gary and Barb

WOW Europe ------ Wedding------Netherlands-------Germany-------Italy

We went traveling to say the least.   Rick and Claudia picked June 30 for their Wedding Day.  Yes!! We would be going!!

There isn't enough room on this blog to write all the happenings nor to put all the pictures-----so this will be a small writing of some of the  happenings.  We have so many stories to tell and about 600 pictures to look at.   Some of the pictures, of course, are ....."what did I take that for...where is that?!?!....oh - bad!......" and so on.  But I will try to pick out some nice ones.    In time I will be putting together a (probably very large) photo album with the help of Shutterfly.    But for now.....enjoy.

We arrived in beautiful Nijmegen, Netherlands after being picked up at the airport by Rick and Claudia.

 The streets of Nijmegen are all brick.....with a bicycle path along every street.   Bicycles are EVERYWHERE!!!!

The "rail" on the right is for bicycles to get up and down the steps......

A bicycle parking garage!!!!!!  and this picture is only a small part of it!!!

We went immediately to a Flower Supermarket......every plant you can imagine is available and every container you might want.  And compared to the United States prices----Roses are almost a dime a dozen -- and OH! so beautiful.   Rick and Claudia were picking out flowers for their wedding.

The 1st ceremony took place outside at Fort Lent in Nijmegen......with a vegan meal and dancing and celebrating following.

Parents of the couple.

The 2nd ceremony took place at the Government office and is required by law. 

To be honest, I enjoyed the 2nd ceremony the most.   It was so much fun walking through the open market watching the people smiling at the good looking couple just married.  And then it happened......     I had my singing debut in a pub in Nijmegen.    I expect to be famous any day now.....HAHA.     Actually, Gary said to me "I think you should sing that song "A little less of Me" (by Glen Campbell).   So I had Rick find it on the internet and Claudia's Uncle had his guitar along and let me use it......and I had people crying.     :)  :)     Yes! it was fun!!!

The Pub where I sang....and toasts were made.

Saturday - the day after the 1st ceremony -  was not a good one for me.  My Meneres (ear problem) which makes me very dizzy at times --- hit me full force.   I laid in bed for the entire day --- except for the trip they made me take to the clinic....   I used the bucket way too many times.   We had hoped to go to the Cologne Cathedral the following day but put it off until I was more steady on my feet.  So we went on Monday late in the afternoon.

We arrived to late to make the climb up the tower -- but the Cathedral is just an amazing site!!!  It took 600 years to build and was almost destroyed in WWII.

Then it was on to Rome!!!

 My first night in Rome and this young man found a "sucker".  Well - it was a nice wooden bowl and he was such a good salesman and we had a lot of fun with him.   Shucks !! it was only 20 Euro ($).

First stop - Vatican Museum......this is the wall that surrounds it.   (Claudia forgive me for probably getting lots of things wrong --- no one knows but you !!!    :)   :)

 This hall was full of "busts" of anyone and everyone in Roman History.......

 This was a hall with statues of the "gods"....

Painting on the walls and ceilings were unbelievable....

Many many huge tapestries (perhaps 12' x 12') depicting Bible stories.....

And it all ended in the Sistine Chapel --- where no photos were allowed and the guards tried to demand silence.

Well -- I can see that this is getting way too much.........    So - - - - - the following will not be what we saw but some fun shots.......

 Espresso is THE drink..........Rick doing it right....

 Our bathroom in our hotel was compact to say the least -- but it served the purpose it was made for.

We had a meal in Koln (Cologne) Germany.......   Claudia knew what she was ordering --- we were the ones who were totally wowed!!!!   Check out that ham....bone and all!!

Jan (Claudia's nephew) and Janeka came with us to Rome -- what a fun couple!!!

 Our next stop was Pompei.....

I don't dare to start putting in pictures....... there are so many good ones.    This city was built in (according to our booklet) in the 6th century B.C.  A violent earthquake struck in 62 A.D. and damaged many parts of the city and then on August 24, 79 A.D. the volcano - Vesuvius - erupted and buried the city under ash and rock fragments.

 People were buried alive----dying due to asphyxiation and high temperatures.... and casts were made of the "air pockets" that were found - revealing the position of the bodies.

Notice the huge rocks that make up the streets.

 A panoramic view.....

The Grand Theatre......    so much more to show you.......  but that will have to be in the Photo Album to come later.   

 Our last stop in Rome was the Colosseum - where Gladiators fought and Christians were killed.....

These square pieces were at the very top of the structure ---- How in the world did they get them up so high?!?!

 It was a VERY hot day when we were at the Colosseum ---- so a trip to the Mediterranean Sea was a MUST!!!    What a great way to end our time in Italy and our trip to Rick and Claudia!!!!

Our last meal at a very fine Ristorante.......

Yup!   Gary got to liking the Espresso!! - Get that pinky up!

We had such a fun time !!   Claudia is the best tour guide we could have asked for.....  We kept an eye on her hat and followed like sheep.  It was great getting to meet Claudia's family and also to get to know her better.   She is a keeper  :)

We thank God for safety throughout the whole adventure and now are just hoping our bodies will get back to Central Time!!!!

Gary and Barb

just have to share these....

I was thinking that many of you saw some pictures of our 2nd Annual Peters Family Campout at Tri-Ponds...... but lots of you might not have......so here goes........  

We pulled our camper out for the Family Campout ------ and stayed our first night at the Ilini State Park.   Very nice park......where we got to watch the tug boats push the huge barges down river to who knows where.  Fascinating!!

We camped in the same place as we did last year......next year Gary and I will be staying in a little cabin just to the left of the picture....right close by -- so it should work just fine.  Colton, Brennan and Halle came along and stayed in their family tent.  Mom and dad were just too busy getting ready for the Colorado Challenge that Julie, Trenton, Austin and Sidney would be going on the following week.

The "Pond" was the best part of the whole week.   We never even went over to the pool....this was just way too much fun.  I even got in on the fun!

So did Axl --- Holly's family dog.  Dogs weren't really supposed to be in the water.....but good grief -- it was 96 degrees and Axl is black....he was one hot puppy!!!!    So we snuck him in.

You can't be near the water ---- near a bunch of kids ...that have access to water balloons........ and not have a water fight.  Neighbor kids got in on the fun too and war was declared.   Notice that this balloon was filled too much...it burst right above Clayton's head.

There was a game of bean bag toss.....  guess who was the winning team!!

Brennan had good luck catching some nice bass and came in 1st in the fishing derby ----- got himself a nice ice cream treat.

The highlight of the week was the Cherry Pit Spitting Contest.   This contest first took place when we camped at Glen Lake in Michigan with our family.  Traverse City is known for it's cherry orchards and we had enjoyed some cherries........"why not see how far we can spit these pits."  Wish I could dig up the pictures of that 1st contest. Everyone "pushed off" from a post that was on our site.........  Not sure now who was the actual winner of the first one - but I do know that it was either Mike or Gary.    And once again --- Mike and Gary were tops.  
Gary was first by a long shot until Mike came ---- then it all fell apart and Mike was declared the winner.   There is a technique to this madness and until you figure it out --- you're just spitting in the wind.

We had a great time but the roads are so nasty that we have decided that we won't pull our camper again....... at one point we must have hit such a bump that my refrigerator door flew open and I had oranges and milk all over the floor.  Wasn't a really bad mess -- but enough for us to say "hey"...not going to do that again.  Good grief Illinois, Indiana, Michigan --- well - Iowa too.... FIX YOUR ROADS!!!  

Now you have a little more of an insight into the crazies of the Peters family.    Good stuff!
Gary and Barb