Reformation Day Faire 2009

Last weekend we attended Providence Church's Reformation Day Faire. We had a wonderful time and a big thank to you all who worked so hard to organize and host this event! These few pictures and comments hardly give so much as a hint at the day, but at least it is something!



Friday afternoon, evening, and Saturday morning were great times of music (Genevan Foundation Psalm Sing, and Charlie Zahm) a collection of very interesting lectures, and lots of low clouds and rain. Then, Saturday afternoon, right as we were getting ready for the outdoor activities, out came the sun! Praise the Lord!


"Ye Olde Town Square" - It was beautiful out and so fun to see so many walking around in costume! Mid-afternoon we headed over to the park for the "Highland Games"...



Caber Toss - Winner: Joseph Erber!!!

Shot Put - Winner: Joshua Erber!!!

It was a long day, but very enjoyable! Thanks again, Providence Church, for hosting the event!

Apples to Applesauce

It's apple season! And that means lots of fun and hard work!

This year, Josh built a cider press, so some of the apples were set aside for cider.

With a little help, Winston was able to press some of the apples into cider!

Mmmmm.....

Most of our apples turned into sauce. With eight grandchildren 4 and under, we can make our way through applesauce fairly quickly! Grace really enjoyed "helping" the apple choppers.

We didn't get many pictures of saucing this year because we had so much to do and so we were all busy all day long!

Between a full day yesterday (96 quarts canned) and a couple of half days last week, we've gotten around 200 quarts of sauce canned! Now we just have to make the last few bushels into cider and pies!

Bella

Birthday Time!

Camille turned two back in September, but since she was sick that day we postponed the big celebration, and then other things came up, so we finally got around to celebrating it last week. We also celebrated the October birthdays (Mom and Joseph) that day, thus the three candles. Mom and Joseph sacrificed the excitement of blowing out their own candles, however, and allowed the little people that immense pleasure and privilege! They all look pretty excited to me!

Ready - Set - Blow!


Hmmm... it didn't go out!


Happy Birthday, little girl! We love you SO much and think it is just so cute how your whole face lights up when you smile!

Providential History Festival 2009

October 1-5, 2009 found our family in Omaha, Nebraska for the 2009 Providential History Festival. This was our first year to attend, and we were really impressed by all that they are doing there and look forward to heading back that way in future years! This year, they invited us to come out to present the reenactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention to their attendees.

Dad & Mom were also asked to present a workshop (actually, two workshops) on "improving your drama" (I can't remember the actual workshop title, but it was something to that effect). Shown above are a handful of victims - or rather, volunteers - preparing one of the hands-on exercises in the workshop. They did a great job with a tough task! And we all had fun watching them! :-)

Well, did I mention that we ended up bringing more than just the workshops and 2nd Virginia Convention. Above we have pictured the 2009 performance of the legendary "Revolutionary Tea"! (Below is pictured a rehearsal of the same presentation earlier in the day... )

I would really very highly recommend that if you are at all within driving distance of Omaha, you check out this event for 2010!

This year the festival was held at the Strategic Air & Space Museum which was a very fun setting, and in the midst of everything else going on, we did get to spend some time browsing through the museum and seeing all the planes. I think Bella liked this plane, but I suppose that the picture could be interpreted differently...


On Friday evening, a couple of us taught a bunch of the crowd a few dances, such as the Virginia Reel. The one shown above has a real name, but as none of us can remember what it's name actually is, so for now we've dubbed it the "Harvard Circle." I believe the photo above (taken by Beth) was during the "Jewish" variation - just a guess as the circle seems to be moving with a faster tempo than the "colonial" version would warrant...


Joanna & Raeanne also performed the "Ashoken Farewell" that evening - and I got to pose with the famous duo shortly before their performance! :-)

I ended up heading home earlier than most of the gang from our neck of the woods, but have heard nothing but wonderful reports about the rest of Saturday and Sunday. It sounds like there were lots of fun and interesting presentations, good conversations, new friendships...

Hope to see YOU there next year!

Thank you, so much, Kayser family for inviting us, hosting us, and all the incredible work you put into hosting the Providential History Festival! May the Lord bless the festival, and your church, abundantly!

Ooh, but I can't sign off without one more picture of Bella! But now I must sign off, because I am headed over to her house... ta ta for now!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom!! We love you so much!!!!

Happy Birthday, Joseph!

(Joseph in costume, a couple of weeks ago)

Happy Birthday, Joseph! Sometime during the last decade and a half, our little "Jo-Jo" has grown up through boyhood into manhood and is now 18 years old!! We love having him around. He brings lots of laughter into our lives with his gifts in the area of comedic timing, but he also is an active participant in deeper conversations on the issues of life. We love you, Joseph! May the Lord bless you as you follow Him during this next year!


(Jonathan & Joseph - July, 2009)