Amish Country~

Wendy in front of Hannah and Williams house

 I absolutely LOVE spending time at the Amish farms in the area.  What fascinating, hard working, people who live so sustainably.  I learn much from every visit.  I  milk cows with them (by hand) every month.  They milk twice daily.  5:30 am and 5:30pm.
I love being connected to my food source and spending time on the farm away from computers, cell phones etc...

  The Amish here in Minnesota are a more conservative branch.  They use only wood to heat their houses, no gas, absolutely no electricity.  So even in the summer they heat up the wood burning stove for baking, canning and heating water for dishes or laundry.  I never complain about house work after a visit to the Amish.

One of the Hannah and William's sons outside the milk barn.

I have become friends with Hannah, 33, who is expecting her 8th child in November.  Hannah was not born Amish, her parents converted when she was 4 years old.  She and her husband William have 5 boys living, sadly they lost twin boys a few years back.  Incredible people.

In June their milk barn burned down. They lost 3 cows and all of their laying hens.  It was an arson case and 3 teenage boys were charged.  This kind family quickly forgave and announced that they were offering prayers for the boys involved.  A very forgiving culture.

August in Minnesota~

Front porch with our dear neighbor Jeanie Hiller.

Ruby loves her Papa

My little book worm.

Jesse and Eric enjoying a cool August evening.    

Elias loves Jesse

Jesse's smile...priceless

Grammy and Ruby camping in RLF

The gang pictured with Julie Campbell  who grew up in our home....
She visited and gave  us a tour with lots of great stories about our home.  : )
Her family lived here for 49 years.

Elias caught this Bass all by himself.
He has become quite the fisherman with all his time in the Boundary Waters.

We tried out this great little camper.

Heidi and JoAnn Renfrow. I love this woman.  Camping out in RLF

Children's Garden Class~ Crookston, MN

I love working with and teaching these kids about growing food

Check out more pictures at Crookston Daily Times. :
http://www.crookstontimes.com/photos/x1837742423/Class-learns-how-to-grow-a-garden-and-eat-what-it-grows?foto=0

4th of July in Korea, Olympic Park, & Swimming on Post

Happy 4th of July~

Ruby on the US Army post BBQ and Fireworks

Seoul's Olympic Park  1988 Summer Olympics

Elias is a really good big brother, always looking out for  his Ruby.

We had an awesome 2 hour bike ride around Seoul's Olympic park.  Good work out for Mom and Pops.

Olympic Park Peace  Gardens

We met an amazing family at a restaurant in Seoul and became instant friends.
 Josh and Elise Hampton are  Awesome!  And their kids too!
We have been hanging out ever since we met.
It turns out that Eric and Josh both grew up in
Colorado and have some friends in common.
This is a picture of Elise Hampton, me and Ruby.

Seoul Land~  How am I going to get my kids back to the idea of not having a great adventure every day?
Korea has been truly amazing.
Sophie H. and Elias

Ruby, Sophie and Josh

Hold hands and jump for your life!

The park was nearly empty.  We didn't wait in line one time.
 It was a grand 4th of July.

There were these walking toys you could take around the park.

Elias, Brig and Sophie

Sophie and Elias watching a ride

Seoul Korea Temple

Elias and I as I was going in the temple and he was going to the subway station.

Ruby's favorite adventure  this sumemr in Korea is by far the swimming pool on the US Army post.

My friend Michelle gave me a brilliant
 idea of making holes in her hat for her  pony tails.
Works like a charm, and keeps her hat on too.

I don;'t want to leave the pool

Subways, Everland, Home in Korea...

Veggies Underground,  Lettuce and more growing in the subway~ 

 A little breath  of fresh air,underground

Ruby in her dress Grammy Lamby made

A HUGE Locust a stranger gave to Elias

Elias is proud of his new pet, but the Ogimons didn't want to touch it...
I don't blame them.

His name is Fred the Fly.  Yes, it  is alive.
It was a challenge to convince Elias  NOT to bring it  inside our apartment.
We made him a little house outside with some food.

Riding the Subway with our friends

Friday night ride,  Standing Room Only!

Ruby loves the Subway here, I think it is because people dote on her every
time we ride.. She now expects strangers to give her candy.
We will have to do some re-training back in the USA.

Isabella entertaining Ruby

Our temporary residence in Korea

Elias took pictures at home~



EVERLAND~

Great 3-D production...Ruby loves wearing glasses.

After a long day of fun Ruby enjoys a game of Peek-A-Boo~  Her favorite.