Slater Creek happenings

Well, Brandon turned 14. He got an IPOD docking and stereo system from us.

We planted this clematis this year in a large wooden planter next to our bedroom. We were quite surprised at how quickly it bloomed. Absolutely beautiful.

Brandon's eighth grade class spent the night at Jensen Woods near Timewell. I made the perfect throw for this action photo.

Brandon also spent 6 days at LaMoine Christian Service Camp near Tennessee, Illinois. It was awful quiet around here. His 14th birthday was spent under a tornado warning.

I know, I know. Every man dreams of his wife cooking topless. Well, since her sunburn is so bad, she is doing a lot of things topless. I just slathered her up with aloe.

Emma came over for Father's Day and we had a great weekend. I don't Facebook but check out her great trip to Akron, Ohio and her meeting Crystal Bustos.

I love this woman!

Riley and Champ enjoying the great outdoors. They make quite a team. Champ still likes to help himself to our poultry. I asked him why do you keep attacking our birds. He says they are delicious. Who knew?

Riley planted these flowers all by herself. She is very proud.

We salvaged this old door from the schoolhouse we tore down. We screwed it to the chicken coop and added the pretty summertime flag. We like it.

Happy Birthday Josh

We are so happy that you are "officially" part of the family. What a great rehearsal dinner put on by your parents...

We love how happy you make our daughter

Happy Birthday...hope you have an awesome day...love you and miss you...

Happy 14th Birthday Brandon

Deb and Brandon on camping trip to Siloam Springs...July 2001 Checking out their playground equipment...(please excuse the pepto-bismol color)

Jeff and B exploring the stream

Brandon hitching a ride...

I LOVE this picture!

Happy Birthday Brandon...it is hard for me to believe that my cute little boy is now a handsome young man. I know you get tired of me telling you...but, I am so proud of you and what you stand for. You have accomplished so much in your 14 years... I thank God everyday for giving me the privilege of being your Mother. You have been a pure Joy! Happy Birthday son. Love you lots and lots and lots...

What Fathers Day means to me........

Celebrating a daughter starting her own life.
Two families becoming one. Being a father of five, not four. Finally having a son.

Watching my children grow up to be great parents themselves.

Loving every second when my children are around me.

Most of all, I love having a wife who says I am the best father ever. Her love for my children thrills me.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO EVERYONE AND I MISS YOU DAD!

Do I miss........

.....the convenience of living in town? Sometimes. Do I like filling my truck up with gas more often? No. Would I trade our life for anything. Never.

Riley, Deb, and I found 4 cups of Black Raspberries in our timber Saturday. Deb made a wonderful, delicious pie out of them. We also will soon have gooseberries and blackberries. Deb and her mom have also picked 7 gallons of strawberries from our garden. Homemade jam and strawberry shortcake soon followed. Life is good at Slater Creek Farm.

a few extra pictures...

Boz sisters in law....

Boz brothers....

Love this picture of Jenna and her daddy....(thx Cindy!)

Jen and Josh's wedding reception

Riley with her beautiful sister, the bride, after she caught the bridal bouquet...

Emma and Riley...

B and Jeff with Jen...

Love this picture...

Dancing...dancing...dancing... What a beautiful bride Jen was...I didn't have my camera during the ceremony...looking forward to seeing pictures soon! Love you Mr. & Mrs. VerDught! :)

Happy #33 Danny!

Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow! I hope Jessica spoils you like you spoil her the other 364 days.

Sun of the Month Banquet

(I am tired of trying to cut and paste the words before the pictures...so just going to post as is...) Back row...L to R... Geoffrey, Brandon, Dwyer, Kara. Front row...L to R... Cassie, Kayla, Maddie, Ali and Allie.

Of course, we had to try and get a silly pose too...

Last night was Southeastern's Sun of the Month Banquet. They combined the high school with the junior high recipients. Catered meal, nice recognition of "some of Southeastern's finest"; spoken by the Principal. They announced each one individually and they each received a certificate and a $50 savings bond. It was a very nice evening!

Here are a few pictures of the Eighth Grade Sun of the Month recipients for 2009/2010 school year...

Emma Softball Season for Macomb High

Emma does a great job at first base...(following in sister Jessi's footsteps)

It was hard to see what pics I was downloading...but, Em is a powerhouse at bat too! Go Em! (unfortunately, Brandon's trackmeets have seemed to fall on the same dates as Emma's home games...so I haven't been able to see her play yet this year... Jeff goes one way and I go the other...)

Thanks for the pictures Jill! Looking forward to this weekend, Emma! Love you!

Happy 15th Birthday Emma Jane

Hope you have a wonderful day! We love and miss you tons!

Slater Creek Farm Update

Deb and Riley ready to go to Jenna's shower in Hamilton. They had fun and Jenna and Josh came over on Sunday to spend the afternoon with us.
Riley bought the beer for Jenna. We will be having a talk with her.

That time of year. I love this picture because of the awesome colors.

Riley has found more four leaf clovers in her short life than I have found all my life. She found this one after just a few minutes. I took a close up of it but it was way to blurry. She is trying to teach me but alas I am a lost cause.

I am trying to teach her in the importance of a good nap. I think she is learning pretty well. Lou enjoys them as well.