a treat of a boat ride

Joan and her husband Ray hosted us (and the other project directors) on their boat again this year. It was a real treat! They are delightful to be with. Here's Joan with her lap full of girls. That's Ashley with Samantha and Lucy, inside the cabin.
Will promptly went to sleep on the boat. But he woke up when I moved one too many times to see the dolphins. (Yes, dolphins, up close and personal! I have a video down a few posts!)
The girls and I on the front of the boat! The girls l-o-v-e the boat. They are comfortable, at home and at ease on the water. And always looking to spot something!
Anna Kate also went up front with her Daddy. I don't think I have pictures, but both she and Lucy helped Ray drive the boat!
Even Will got a turn on the bow.

This is the view of one of the piers in Wildwood, one of the more "famous" skylines here.
We are in the final week of WWSP 2011. We leave on Saturday, and the students will remain for another 5 weeks on their own. It has been a great summer but very different from last summer. Last summer, I spent almost every evening in the quiet of our apartment reading, thinking, journalling, really introspective and thoughtful. But this summer - maybe because we don't have a newborn, maybe because the girls are just a little older and can stay up a little later, maybe because some of our dearest friends ever are here - for whatever reason, this summer is not like that. And why would it be? That was last year. This year is great for all its own reasons. Like the incredible gift of day-in and day-out with Steph. Or seeing Dave lead really well, make some important adjustments and help our students point "treasuring Jesus" on the map for the rest of their lives not just this summer.

the beach in the evening

Friday is Dave's day off. It's the one day and night we can count on having him around. And we make the most of it! This Friday, though, came after a full week of a crazy bug going around the house, a bug that basically kept us inside for most of 4 days! So, we opted for the pool in the morning, and after dinner, the beach. It was so fun!
Titus and Samantha negotiating something . . . .
Lucy and Titus busy. . . .
Ruby - she was a little cold, so she's borrowing her brother Titus' shirt! I love this picture of her!
Will always has a rash guard on (which explains that incredibly noticeable tan line on his arms), but not at night! Look how cute he is! (I am not biased!) He grabs sand, and while yelling, throws it down. Boy!
We are so incredibly thankful, beyond thankful really, to have JW and Steph and their family with us in Wildwood. Apart from being dear friends with whom we love to "do life," they are great and gifted leaders and fixed on Jesus.

We have been busy (and largely without internet!) Just over a week ago, our friends Amy and Isaiah came from Albany for a weekend in Wildwood with their 5 kids. We had a great Saturday afternoon at the beach! Isaiah brought his boards, and taught Anna Kate how to use it! By the end of the afternoon, both she and Lucy had taken turns and had huge grins! Anna Kate and Ethan (their oldest) stuck together with the boogie boards!


It was Father's Day weekend, so we had a party with the Betts too (yep, 13 kids in all and 3 moms), where the kids made cards for Dads.
On Sunday, we went to the Cape May County Zoo. And if you ever happen to be in Wildwood, you should totally go! What a great way to spend time together as a family. We saw a lot of animals, but the tiger was, of course, a favorite! I asked Samantha about her tiger at home. She matter-of-factly told me that her tiger at home was a lot like this one but bigger probably.





And this is what all those kids are staring at. One BIG turtle!

Will was able to see some of the animals from the wagon. Here he is looking at two big brown bears. (He loves riding in the wagon! As do almost all the kids!)
And this is what all those kids are staring at. One BIG turtle!
We had a great day together. The girls made at least a dozen cards for Dave. We are one blessed family to have a fantastic Dad like Dave.

A Pretty Spectacular Boat Ride

In my opinion, this is pretty cool! A sweet couple in Wildwood who "love what we do" has hosted us on their boat again this summer! The video is not very good. I was holding Will and trying to video, and I'm not a great video-er. But, you'll love what you see!

Wildwood

So, our internet in Wildwood is spotty at best and usually non-existent! So, there is no news to share or incredible reasons for this long, quiet month. Here's a few pics from my birthday, which happened to be Dave's day off (perfect!). Our good, dear friends, Steph & J.W. are also in Wildwood this summer with their family.

Samantha and Titus negotiating something

We carry lots of buckets of water from the ocean to our "spot"
Will is usually content with a big bucket of water to stir and play in. Will L-O-V-E-S the beach. He eats the sand, usually unintentionally, and is covered with sand when we leave.
Here are 7 of our 8 kids!
To eat, once we've rinsed off Ruby and Will, they get strapped in the wagon. It's the only way to minimize the sand intake.

Albany in May

I know - it has been forever - since an update! May was a little crazy . . . . finishing up the spring semester on campuses, a baby shower for a friend, and getting ready for Wildwood.