Vacation Pics

Here are a few pictures from our camping adventure:

Walking Through the Woods



Family Break On The Trail



Bee Silly-Stringed Me



Jacob and His Walking Stick



Isaiah Throwing Football At Our Tent Site



We had a great time !!

Taking Pictures

On the last day of vacation, we were taking group pics. My sister wanted to have a picture of all the kids and grandkids of our parents. So, we all sat on the steps and my sister gave her camera to my mom. My mom was struggling a little. I had my camera with me and I decided to flip it on and switch it to video and see what we might catch. Here are my parents trying to get a group pic :)

I love you guys. They may have "struggled" a little, but they got some real good pics for us. THANK YOU !!




Here are a few pics from our vacation:

Camping in Pennyslvania

We are in New Castle, Pennsylvania. My parents reserved two mini cabins for a few days. Thus, my family is over there, my parents are there, my brother and wife and son is over here and my sister and three of her kids are here. We got to the campground around 1:30. We have had a good time and just finished up hanging out at the campfire. Here are a few pics, more are over at facebook. If we are not friends there; friend me :)







More later, getting ready to go to sleep.

Mean Jeff: Spring Break

We were outside playing in the last bit of the snow and I put my "rough" look hat on and gave a growl during the snowball fight. Here is the "mean jeff" look. You better not mess with me (ha):

The Gazebo & More: Spring Break 2009

Some of the things that I love about the property here are the trails and the Gazebo. The Gazebo sits above the creek and it is great to sit in the Gazebo, look at the great view and hear the water running below you.

Below are some photos of Bethany on the walk with me and the Gazebo and the view from within the Gazebo and then the boys and Bee in the snow; it is melting fast. Isaiah tried to throw a snowball at me as I took the photo - which you can see below in the pics:

Isaiah Throwing A Snowball



Bethany on the Trail: Rock Hunting



Bethany at the Gazebo




The Gazebo from the Woods



Looking Out from Inside The Gazebo

Spring Break 2009: Snow

Bethany Patting Down Snow
She wanted to make it even with the snow, so she built it up and patted it down.



I Love You Dad
In the pic, you can not really see it. However, yesterday evening, she came in and said, "dad, i need to show you something outside". So, I put on my shoes and coat and was show the writing ... loved the act of love :)




Jacob Making Snowballs
He was very happy about making snowballs even though there was some ice mixed in with the snow.



Jacob Placing Snowball on Pile
He was making a pyramid with the snowballs and he was placing them down very strategically.



The Pile
At the time, he had 33 snowballs in place.

The Game of Life: Spring Break

The kids now love the game of life; we have now completed 4 games. Here is a picture of us playing ..... we can't get Stacey to play with us .....

Playing in Snow: Spring Break Part II

Here are some photos of them out in the snow. It warmed up a little and they had been in the house for awhile, so they decided to venture out and get some fresh air and play in the cold and wet snow. The pics are a bit blurry ... I apologize for that.

I have read Youth Ministry 3.0 and am a few chapters into Oh Shit! It's Jesus. I have also watched a little baseball - Yanks vs. Orioles.

Later on, we are having meatball calzones and then I will watch the championship game - if I can convince the family to allow me :)

Spring Break Vacation 2009 Part 1

It is Spring Break Week. We decided to head back up north to Michigan and stay at the same "cottage" that we stayed at last year. Last week, we started to look at the 10-day forecast and saw that it was going to be cool with precipitation in the air. Well, when we got here last night (Sunday the 5th), we checked the weather - because we heard snow reports on the radio. The weather had actually stated a snow warning.

Last night, we went into town and had dinner at a local favorite - the New Port Restaraunt. We then went to WMSC to get groceries for the week. This morning, we woke up and the snow definitely came in. Here are the photos from the cottage (front and back view):









Today, has been very relaxing. I did not wake up till 9:30. I made some coffee. We had breakfast at 10 am and then we settled in for a game of LIFE. The game took 2 hours :) Here are the totals:

Daddy & Bethany: $ 1,645,000
Jacob: $ 1,355,000
Isaiah: $ 415,000

I am not sure what happened to Isaiah.

The rest of the day, a late bath and then lunch and then time to read a book and then more games with the kids. The kids are playing hide and seek right now; their laughs are histerical. The boys can never find Bethany.

Do you need or want a laugh ?

if so, watch the video in this post:

This is a video of Bethany trying to get a drink from the outdoor water fountain and having some trouble. Her laugh is great. I then attempt to help her get a drink and I "misjudge" her getting a drink.

I also did not know that we were being taped. I thought the wife was taking pics / not videos. Oh well. I think that I am going to bookmark this page and when I am having a bad day and need a smile, I will play it.

Her laugh has to cheer you up.

Vacation Pictures

This post is going to be pictures from the vacation. On ytop of the picture IN BOLD will be a descriptive term of the photo and then underneath the photo in italics will be more info about the pic (if so desired).

Overall the trip was great. It did rain and storm some while we were there but to me; you have to expect rain and storms and just roll with it.

Kids Ready For Trip



As Stacey was doing the final packing items, we were outside and decided to snap a few photos. Here they are ready for their journey. We were going to travel about 90 mins and then go to church and then head on out .... thus the reason for some nicer travel clothes.

Jacob: Attitude Look



Lately, Jacob has been trying to give "this look" everytime a pic is taken. Our soft loving guy likes to give a hard look every once awhile.

Jeff, the Tough Man



I tried to show a mean look .... to out do him. I am not sure who won. Stacey was not too thrilled that I had my mohawk up and a "raggy" tshirt for church - at a church we had never been. But, I wanted to see how welcomed I would feel - being a little "rough". Very welcomed and very friendly church; really amazed.

Jacob Riding His Fusion



He loves it. He had an accident the first 10 mins there. He went down a very steep hill and tore his skin off. HOWEVER, he continued to ride all week and conquered the hill. I wish that I did a video.

Jacob .. Pondering



Deep thought.

Kids Eating Brunch



Yummy. Pancakes and Bacon

Isaiah Covering His Head



He did not want his hair to be in the pic BECAUSE he thought he was having a ...

Isaiah, His Bad Hair Day



Isaiah, A Close Up



We were all in the pick-up truck and he was almost right up on me. I love the pic though. You can look through his eyes and see his mind turning.

Isaiah in the Rain



rain .. rain .. rain .. go away and come back another day

Jacob and His Coral Snake



Jacob wants a real snake. Mom will not allow that in NO CARTAIN terms, so he settles for snake candy.

Jacob Crossing the Tree



We were not sure that he was going to make it, but he accomplished it.

Don't Start a Fire



Don't even think about it, mister

Bethany and Jacob Playing Frisbee



No, it is not in the pic, they are after it ... :)

Jacob on the Trail



Jacob liked the trail and even allowed a photo.

View From Our Hike



Very nice view. You can not see all the 'levels' in the pic though.

Isaiah Hiding



He loves to hide and 'spook' people; especially his younger brother. It is quite amusing to watch at times.

Corn, Anyone ?



Corn on the Cob in the Fire = GREAT TASTE

Those Hurt



It is bound to happen chasing the frisbee into the woods.

Doing Dishes in the Rain



Working Hard, even in the rain

The Fire Tower



The kids and I climbed it. I can not believe that I use to jump off of cliffs higher than the tower in college - craziness.

Stacey at the Bottom of the Tower



She looks so small .. she looks like an ant (Bethany)

Bethany and Jacob in the Truck



Ready for the trip back to the campsite through the park. Yes, we got reprimanded.

Bethany Smelling the Flowers



I love this photo and she loves her flowers

Bethany and the Moth



She chased creatures all week.

Bethany at the Lake



She made me cast a shadow over her so her eyes would not be blinded.

Bethany in the Rain



Rain was not going to damper her experience

Ladder Ball



Camp Favorite, maybe. Bean toss was up there as well.

Stacey and her Dad



Daddy and Daughter

Look Out



We can see 'them' coming

Well, there are numerous photos. Not all of them by any means but it should give you a glimpse of the trip.