Growing families

Take a good look at this picture. You see four people, right? Four incredibly bonded siblings who would sacrifice anything just to have moments like this again. Siblings who have so much shared history that it is hard to think of one memory that doesn't include one of us in it. But times have changed...in a good way. Every time we are together, we bring up memories, jokes, stories, and pictures from the past. Yet this reunion was different. There was a divinely sweet blend of both the cherished past and anticipated future mixed together. Take a look at the next picture.

That family is growing. Yep, it's true. With a new brother already in the mix and a sister just waiting to join us (next summer by the way), we are eagerly anticipating the new memories that will be made. While our reunions are no longer after a semester of classes, but at the end of 2 year contracts, we will cling to the joy of what we have together. A bond that is lasting.

Now that's worth celebrating!

Dear Grandpa,

Did you know that you celebrated your 50th wedding anniversary this year? We are so proud of you! While your dementia is stealing away a lot of your short term memory, HOLD FAST to those precious memories of the ones who were (and are) in it for the long haul...a.k.a. Grandma. I wish you could fully see all that she sacrifices and dedicates to you as she comes to visit you day in and day out. Rest in the peace knowing that you are loved.

We came to see you the other day in your new home. Grandma sure has been keeping your room decorated! We were a bit surprised though when we first came in your room...

We soon figured out that they had been working on your room floors earlier that day...phew! You're off the hook Grandpa....for now. I nearly cried when I heard you whisper my name. Either you are making progress, or you were just confused the last time you saw me - but I will cherish every moment that I have.

Our group was so big that we had to move to a fancy conference room just to talk to you, Grandpa! I loved watching your face light up when we sang old hymns together. At times, I even needed to look to you for confirmation on the next verses! I guess music will be the last thing to leave...and I'm glad of it. Anything to keep your spirit of joy near you.

I love you Grandpa. As your dependence grows greater, our love for you perseveres all the more. Remember us....as best as you can.

Beach bums continued...

It's 3:00 and the Chase's (and Evans) have had enough of the sun. As we mosey on in looking as though we have been through a sandstorm, we can't help but wanting to shower and get freshed in a way that involves make up, perfume, and maybe a cute outfit. Sun-kissed and re-energized we headed back out to the beach to have a little photo shoot and play some croquet.

And of course the jumping pictures. Only if the camera could fully express the joy and laughter that accompanied each one.

Rained in for the afternoon, we are all sitting around reading, playing games, and catching up on...well...blogs ;) We're livin' it up!

The life of a beach bum...

We finally made it. Florida's sandy beaches, humid air and sunny skies have welcomed us...for an entire week. Of course even though we lathered the sun screen, the "rays" here are a bit stronger than expected. We more or less got fried the first day - even with the SPF...oh well.

Dizzy with depleted oxygen, we are looking forward to taking over the pool with these rafts. No seriously...for the size of the pool and the size of us, we took up about a 1/3 of the pool!

Cheese balls!!!!!! (Enough said)

Too bad the shuffleboard materials were unavailable. Instead we took tennis balls and made our own game...HORSE/shuffleboard/bocce ball.

I love the fact that on vacation, you get the sense that you are still around and with your family, yet you are all doing different things. Ethan and Dad are fishing, Dave and I are reading, the girls and mom are walking....sweet bliss.

All snuggled up watching the fireworks on the fourth of July! I finally figured it out....THIS is what I miss the most ;)

On the road again...

Drive...eat....drive...shop....drive...sleep.....start the pattern again. I cannot imagine what it must feel like for those who frequently do road trips. I just don't think it's in me. Or maybe it's the fact that I refuse to drive stick shift....so therefore imprisoning myself to the passenger seat for hours on end. Why do I do this to myself?

This past week we have been a bit "off schedule" for lack of a better phrase. Yet the glorious thing about this lack of routine has been the spontaneity of our lunch/dinner dates with good friends! Good ol' facebook has allowed us to reconnect with both old and new friends in our college area. What a nostaligic time! My brother and sister are also now living in the area so they graciously allowed us to crash at their place for a couple nights while we hit the ground running to meet up with old memories.

We had forgotten how temperamental the Lynchburg weather is. One minute it was a gorgeous sunny day and then BAM! Out of no where, it was pouring down rain so hard that picnic umbrellas were flying across parking lots! Luckily we were safely inside a coffee shop to enjoy the storm.

We were so privileged to see our good friend Benny at our Alma Mater! He is taking some doctorate classes for the next two weeks, so we were able to show him around a bit and take him out for dinner :).

I sure do miss the beauty of Liberty's campus.

Our next destination to Hilton head South Carolina came a bit quicker than expected. Dave's grandma accidentally fell leaving her hip broken with immediate surgery. Good thing we were only 8 hours away and could come down to see her! She is doing well and is in good spirits (Gram, you always are!), yet prayers for her continued healing and recovery would be appreciated.

New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, and then Florida on Friday! We are so excited to just sit and veg on the beach for an entire week. We can rest our weary traveling bodies so that we have the energy to drive back UP the coast! But hey, we get to see my best friend from college on the way back up! Monica, we're almost there!

Our Canoe Adventure

I have officially come to the realization of how out of shape I am. While yes, a round trip canoe adventure of roughly 22 miles will do that to you, I am still more tired than I should be. Dave and I decided to be adventurous and go for a three day canoe trip. His family has done this before, so it was neat to go back and see where some of his traditions took place.

We set off on on our trip on a beautiful Monday afternoon (we got a late start). We were so excited about taking our first trip together! We had heard that people have made this trip in 4-5ish hours, so we were making goals of how we could beat their time.

Like I said, it was a GORGEOUS day! The water was placid, it wasn't too hot, and the breeze was light. Boy, were we ever blessed. That is....until we actually got to our desired campsite...

This "canoe carrier" was a life-saver. Without it we would have had to portage for about 1/4 mile by lugging that huge thing...and our dongxi (stuff).

And then there is the floating island that decided to drift its way into blocking all passageways. Let's just say we were glad that our feet didn't get stuck in that spongy stuff as we were trying to lug it over. I think Dave almost lost his shoe!

So after 3 1/2 hours, we arrived at the camp site that Dave was hoping for (we beat their time!). Yet our energy started depleting once we discovered that someone already took that camp site. And then the next one....and the next....and the next. It was now around 7:00 and our spirits were low, our arms were tired, and we needed a place to unpack before the night came. Luckily it was the 2nd longest day of the year so we were good on the light. We had to canoe for another 3 miles before we actually found an open campsite. What a relief!

The next day we were blessed with yet another gorgeous day! We decided to pack up our stuff and move to a campsite with a better view (after we had a little more positive energy to look some more). Most of the day was spent lounging in the sun, reading, swimming, hiking, and exploring. We were eatin' up every minute of it!

It just so happened that our campsite had a ton of dragonflies. While they were quite friendly and didn't bother us much, you would be laying there and then all of a sudden look at yourself to find about four just chillin' on your stomach!
For dinner we decided to make a bit of everything. Hobo stew, potatoes, baked beans, and then Ramen (to nibble on for those whose hungry stomachs couldn't wait any longer).
It was sad to hear the rain hitting the tent the next morning, but we couldn't help but be so grateful for the weather we did get to enjoy the previous days. And when the rains came, they didn't go away. We canoed with the winds and the rains for the next 4 1/2 hours. Good thing we came prepared with the rain gear, or that could have been one miserable trip home.

Well, now it's two days later and I am still sore. It's a good sore though. Maybe I can do something to maintain these new muscles I have acquired ;)