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A Steakhouse & A Celebration

Sunday, June 19

After church, we took these three to Longhorn Steakhouse for their 2011 Birthdays.

Josh said, “Grandma, if you keep posting these pictures, we will never get dates.”

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We relaxed a bit during the afternoon, then went to Jeff and Chris’ for Nate’s “Family Graduation Celebration.”

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Left to right: Jeff (his dad), Mary Jane (neighborhood grandma), Chris (his mom), Josh (cousin), Amy (aunt – his mom’s sister-in-law), Gloria (sister), Deb (aunt), Lois (grandma), Nate, Roy (uncle), Abby (cousin), Nathaniel (soon-to-be-cousin-in-law), Ian (cousin), Jenna (sister), Cerwin (grandpa), Jordan (brother), David (uncle – his mom’s brother). On the blanket: Jana (cousin), Diana (sister), Jared (cousin). If you noticed that Jere and Kristen are missing, it’s because they are on a European business trip – Finland and France, then flying home from Geneva, Switzerland. Roy and Deb have their four youngest, and Josh is staying with us.

Jesse needed help to get into the tree.

Nathan tickling Izzy’s belly. She purred like a noisy kitten.

Chris’ delicious garden tea.

Getting ready to open gifts.

A “money salad”

Enjoying the backyard

Homemade ice cream for dessert

Chocolate cake with peanut butter ice cream

The one who guesses the closest number of marshmallows in the jar wins the marshmallows.

Guess the number of corn pops in the jar – and win the corn pops (I won these!) I think Gloria prepared these two counting games.

Jesse loves writing “notes”, so also wrote down his guess – in squiggles.

Izzy and Josh

Izzy just started walking, so now climbs and gets into all kinds of trouble.

Josh making a design with a plastic cup.

As we walked toward our car, when heading home, the sheep came running toward the fence, thinking that we were going to feed them.

Sorry gals – we don’t have any food – we are just going home.

Encourage one another and build each other up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)

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Wouldn’t it be nice if we all did that?

A few more pictures from last week before I post Truck Rally photos

Antique Club of America

Macungie, PA

June 16-18

Cerwin and Glenn took the International Chapel #1 to the Macungie on Thursday, June 16, so it would be set up for the opening of the show the next morning.

Cerwin and Glenn came home that evening, and Chaplain Jake Wise manned the chapel all day Friday.

I did not go this year because there were grandchildren here, so I sent my camera with Cerwin when he went back to Macungie on Friday evening.

Cerwin called to  let me know that Fox News was there – and before long I saw the coverage on TV.

Cerwin enjoyed supper provided by the Antique Club, and visiting with friends, Gene, Doug, and Geoff.

Some of the vehicles that attracted his attention.

Doug making an announcement while the two girls on the left prepare to sing.

1959 Oshkosh Plow Truck

1935 International Model A-7

After a good night’s sleep in the cab of the tractor, Cerwin enjoyed Saturday breakfast with the Stoners.

Geoff getting his pancakes.

1926 Autocar

1934 Ford

Cerwin said he had a steady stream of visitors, but only remembered to take a photo of these two – Elizabeth and Robert.

Chaplain Jake came to relieve Cerwin on Saturday afternoon and brought the chapel back to the shop when the show was over on Saturday evening.

The LORD is my God! I will praise Him and tell Him how thankful I am.

Psalm 118:28 (Contemporary English Version)

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My heart is full of praise this morning – for His protection of everyone, especially the children, at yesterday’s Truck Rally. More that 200 big rigs and about that many children running around  equals a great potential for accidents.

Too Tired to Post Much Tonight

We just got home from TFC’s Truck Rally.

Summary

Weather – Perfect

Trucks – 208

Gospel Concert with The Wehry Family and The Crist Family – The Best Ever!

Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does.

Psalm 147:2 (The Message)

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I am depending on His strength today.

Sunday Lunch & Monday Breakfast

June 12 & 13

Lunch at Will and Sherry Stoner’s house on Sunday, June 12.

This lunch was set to plan a Truckers’ Sunday at Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. Left to right: Will, his mom (Sharyn), his dad (Geoff), Cerwin, Rose, and Gene

Chocolate Lollipops – made by Sherry.

Will & Sherry’s son, Trent, looking serious.

A lollipop changed his countenance.

Gene & Rose

Discussing the role for each of us at the Truckers’ Sunday on Sunday, July 10

Sherry is overseeing this, so is the one who took notes.

Cerwin

Sharyn and Geoff

Trent wanted to show us his dad’s Doodlebug.

I wish I had taken a picture of Will’s “General” – an antique GMC that he stretched and installed an air ride suspension.

The next morning I took my sister, Nancy, to Tomato Pie Cafe for breakfast – in honor of her birthday.

Nancy and Me

Nancy’s asparagus quiche and fresh fruit.

My fresh fruit

My choice was this delicious bagel.

Our waitress

I love the atmosphere of this little cafe.

May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (The Message)

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I am grateful for the many times God reaches out to me in love – surprises me, gives me confidence, puts a fresh heart in me, invigorates my work, and enlivens my speech.

Archery & Graduation Party

Saturday evening, June 11

At the pavilion behind our house.

Joram (right) purchased a new bow, and wanted to do some target practice, so Jordan, and Justin joined him in the pavilion area behind our house.

Joram with his new compound bow.

Jordan checking the distance.

He has a crossbow.

He was aiming for the bottom circle – not bad.

A short time later some of Natan’s friends began arriving for his evening graduation party.

Nate’s mom (Chris – second from the right) made a delicious supper.

Fruit Kabobs

Macaroni & Cheese

These are just two of a nice variety of foods that Chris prepared.

Relaxing in the hammock

Chris, Jeff, Nathaniel, and Abby visiting during supper.

The guys made a lot noise as they played bocce and quoits. I think cheering and groans make outdoor games so much fun.

A few of the girls played with a football.

Marcy convincing Stephanie to join the game.

A thunderstorm was rumbling around the area, and when it hit, it poured – almost without warning. Six of the guys picked up the food table top and moved it under the pavilion.

This is one time that a long table that sits on sawhorses is handy.

I quickly headed to the house.

Those who stayed at the pavilion did not get a break for fifteen or twenty minutes. Jeff (our son) brought everyone to our house in their van – in shifts – because of the heavy rain.

Before long there were about twenty young people in our house playing Apples to Apples or a game on the Xbox. Later, some of them watched a funny movie.

I love when “Plan B” works almost as well as “Plan A.”

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The day began at 2:45 a.m. when we awakened to go to our daughter’s 5:30 a.m. wedding and ended at 10:30 p.m. when most of the young people left our house after the graduation party.

Each of the roads heading south from our house was flooded, so some had to take a longer way home.

That was a full day!

Speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Titus 3:2 (English Standard Version)

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Imagine what would happen in our homes, churches, communities, states, countries, and world if everyone obeyed this verse.