Wicked Storm - No Power - A Postponed Cub Fun Day

In the last week of June, a wicked wind and rain storm swept unexpectedly through our area.  I guess those people who check the weather might have had an inkling it was coming, but I was clueless.  In fact, Evan was over at a friend's house.  We were supposed to pick him up around 5pm but he called and asked if he could stay till 7 and have dinner with the Malone's.  I told him that it would be fine.  In hindsight, I should have picked him up.  About 6:30, the sky got so black and the wind began to blow like crazy.  Then the rain came.  It was so eerie.  Steve was already home but Nathan was coming home during the start of it.  So glad he made it safely.  We lost our power, next.  

When it was all said and done, we went out to survey the damage,  Limbs were everywhere and little branches with leaves on them covered the ground.  A big branch had come off of one of the trees in our back yard and smashed our pool filtration system. We had to make the trip over to pick up Evan.  What would normally have taken us a half hour round trip took us an hour and a half.  Roads were closed because of fallen trees and downed power lines.  Everywhere we tried to turn seemed to be a dead end.  We were glad when we finally got there. 

 

Long story short, we didn't have electricity for 2-3 days.  It always makes you appreciate electricity so much when you have to go without it!!  Good thing we had that stored water.....

....and this new generator after burning out the other one.

We were supposed to have our cub fun day at the house on the Thursday after the Tuesday storm, but with the damage done to the pool and loss of power, we had to postpone it.

We had it in July instead.  It was a lot of fun.  Here are some photos from the day. I have been working with these guys ever since Evan became a cub scout and was recently released.  It was fun to do one more cub fun day with the boys.

Our Pledge of Allegiance

With our cool shirts in front of the Flag

....and a goofy one!!

A little ladder ball competition anyone?

Our day could not have been nicer!!

Jacob doing our cool elephant toothpaste science experiment

So much fun!!

The boys always find a way to extend the activity  :)

Some fire building

This is as still as I have ever seen them!!

And, of course, we finished in the pool - Destin, Jacob, and Tennyson

Hey, Carter

Jacob and Tennyson

Our plan for the day.  We had great help from Jenny Smith, our cub master, and from Emily who took most of these photos, too.  They were all happy campers as they headed home.  :)

Megan and Nathan Receive Their Temple Endowments

On August 8th we had the privilege of going to the Washington DC Temple with Megan and Nathan as they received their temple endowments.  What a special day.  It was made more special by having family there from far away.  Janelle and Scott and family came from Boston and Geoffrey came up from Mississippi.  Grandma Foulk also came down with us and several people from the stake. 

Here are a few photos from our beautiful day together.

Steve, Megan, Nathan, and Mom

And another one with Grandma Foulk

And this one is the first in a series of photos which are almost the same except that James is in a different place in each one of them.  Couldn't decide which one to put in ....so you get the whole bunch.  You can kind of see him moving as you scroll through them.  :)  In others, you may have to look hard to even find him.  What a guy!!

Megan with her Mom

And one with both her proud parents.

Alan, Scott, Lucy, and Meg

James with his Mom

Thanks to everyone for making this day so special for us.  We love this family of ours!!

Some changes for our family

Just shortly after Lorelei's blessing, Jim and Emily decided to separate.  To be truthful, the marriage had been in trouble for a while and it was a mutual decision to head toward a divorce.  In this case, it is the right direction to be headed.  They have very little in common, other than two beautiful children, and Emily is exhausted from trying to make it work.  She has a long road ahead of her, but we are on the right road finally.  

Jim moved out on June 11th and Emily and the kids are living here with us.  It has required us all to make changes, but we are loving having her, Jimmie, and Lorelei in our home.  We look forward to the day that they can be on their own, but we are going to enjoy this season of togetherness while it lasts.  Evan had said over and over again how boring it would be when Nate left on his mission.  Well, not any more!!  The house is full of lots of noise, toys, and love.  We are very blessed!!

Em and Evan posing at the Burlington County Farm Fair

Evan checking out the baby calves

And then on to the cows

Lorelei had a pretty good time there......

...but Jimmie (who we thought would love the fair) had a pretty tough time most of the time we were there.  Here he is with a half smile behind that bink.

Ahhh yes, Turkey Hill All Natural.....doesn't get any better than that!!

Jimmie working on one of his water color masterpieces 

The color reminds me a little of Mondrian, don't you think?

Our family members have always been big fans of Harry Potter.  When Megan was home this summer, she whipped up this little number for Harry Potter's birthday!!  YUMMM!!

And here is Miss Lorelei!!  She looks pretty content considering she just had her shots!

Love having this sweet little family here with us!!

Seneca High School Graduation - 2015 Congrats Nate!!!

Seneca's graduation was held on June 18.  Nate was looking great in his honor society sash and that cord thing...can't remember what it was for.  Maybe Latin club or something?

And I had to include this one....classic Nate face!!

Nate, with his proud Dad and Mom

"Are we done with all this graduation stuff, yet?" says Lorelei

Heading off in a hurry.....looks like a man on a mission

Teachers lining the entry way 

Whoa....almost lost the sash!

Coming into the stadium

Seneca Singers (including Nate) sing the national anthem

Just got his diploma

And there go the caps.....congratulations to all!!

So proud of our boy

So glad Grandma Foulk could be there for the big day

Our little boys......well, not so much any more

The sibling shot

Chloe took time out from being valedictorian at her school to cheer Nathan on

I guess he was grateful  :)

OK....this is what happens when you wait to actually add captions to the pictures.  Nate is not here so he cannot tell me what these people's names are.  

Suffice it to say ...they are his friends.

I know that this is Dylan....he played the giant in Big Fish,

the musical Nate was in.

These girls were in the play as well

And this young man, as well

Good friends

In pretty good company...between two valedictorians

..he graduated last year and was Nate's award winning debate partner

Latin buddies

The traditional graduation "shrine"

Just wanted to finish up with this fun photo snapped when we took Nate and Chloe out to dinner and a play on a different occasion.  Dream Big, Nate !!