Afternoon at Cooper Lake!

Last Monday, we decided we needed some time off, so we went to Cooper Lake for the afternoon! 

we had the swim area all to ourselves! 

little flowers always intrigue me! 

Eating lunch before going out for a swim

testing the waters

Sarah sunning herself

Hannah and Peter drifting..... 

Hannah

Peter trying to dodge the camera!

haha, Got him!!! he has to come up sooner or later! ;)

the typical toes in the water picture that I always take....

Yeah, David and Amy finally made it!!! and yes, that's not David in the pic, Daniel got out to say hi to Amy! :)

"How blessed it is when brethren dwell together in unity"

The six arrows left at home....for now! ;)

Peter and Daniel S enjoying the swingset! :)

my handsome brother, Daniel!!! <3

8 months!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday it's been 8 months since Samuel came over and asked me to start a courtship with him! 

I am so incredibly blessed to have this wonderful fellow in my life! 

He is a huge encouragement to me, and is an amazing man of God!!!!!!

us! :)

Praise ye the Lord. 

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, 

in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The works of the Lord are great, 

sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

His work is honourable and glorious: 

and his righteousness endureth for ever.

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: 

the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

He hath given meat unto them that fear him: 

he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, 

that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; 

all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, 

and are done in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption unto his people: 

he hath commanded his covenant for ever: 

holy and reverend is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: 

a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: 

his praise endureth for ever.

~Psalms 111~

the flowers and chocolate he gave me! :)

Just had to add this one...taken the night he came over and made it official :)

Trip to PA - part 4 - Fun at the Ficshers :)

On the drive up to the Cousins....

the day we drove up there, marked 5 months since the night Samuel asked to start a courtship, and he got me these beautiful flowers! He makes me feel so special!!! :)

in case you forgot that that's a bad idea......

we played 'Mad-libs' in the car...and laughed.....a lot!!!some of them were quite ridiculous!!! 

The funniest one was a birthday card:

Dearest Rachel,

          Happy birthday to the most dripping wet house in the whole wide cloud! I hope all of your surgeries come true on this flat day. May you year be filled with joy and cubes. I hope you know how proud I am of what a high young frown you have become. I can hardly believe you are turning 21 years old! My, how the signs have flown. I have enclosed a check for 48 dollars. I  hope you spend it on something that will make you feel morose. Or perhaps you can pit it toward that newfangled phone you've been saving for! 

Happy birthday, my darling iPod!

Hugs and Trampolines,

          Your Aunt,

                 Esther Hale

did you know that I have a restaurant?

See? there 'tis!!!

jumping on the trampoline

playing volleyball

that night we had a double birthday party.....

.....Andrew's 29th......

.......and Pop's 80th!!! 

was it such a good idea to let Steven serve the ice cream?

That's ok, Bekah will keep him in line....no more than one scoop, Steven! ;)

Mrs. Schatte visiting with Uncle Randy

some of the guys put this together for Pop

Washing dishes with everyone was soooo fun every night!!!

Esther was taking a picture of us....and we couldn't figure out why she kept giggling! :)

Take 2!!! ;)

us playing some crazy games of Dutch Blitz!!! 

Awww!!! ;P

Washing dishes together

the view on the walk down to the mailbox

Rach doing Phoebe's hair

Playing Skip-Bo with Sam, Phoebe, Faith, Pop, Caleb and Naomi

Naomi and I

listening to Pop tell more stories! 

more volleyball! :D

Me with the girlies, Phoebe and Anna - such sweeties!!! :)

all of us in the sewing room listening to Humpty Dumpty :D

Phoebe playing with a balloon

Sam and I drying together! :)

Liz and Naomi in the front seat....

and Es, Faith, me and Sam in the back....with Caleb picking up a ditcher at like 6:30 in the morning....that was a fun ride!!! :)

Samuel, Pop, me and Gram.....saying goodbye....so sad to see them leave!

almost all us girls with Pop

Cutting engagement pictures!

writing addresses for wedding invitations! :)

that night, Faith, Es, Naomi and I made pizza, and we ate it outside on the trampoline! 

Gabriel swinging on a short swing! 

The morning Samuel and I had to leave, we took a 'cousins picture' :D

Caleb, Gabriel, Steven

Rachel, Jordan, Phoebe, Faith, Rebekah

Lizzy, Grace, Samuel, Esther

Andrew, Anna, Sarah

Daniel, Naomi

Samuel and I

Me with Sarah and Naomi

our send-off committee! some of the little people in the cars honking as we drove off! :D

Thank you for a lovely visit Schattes and Ficshers!!!!!!! 

Can't wait to see you all again, sometime!!!

~:♥:~:♥:~:♥:~