Just Pictures

Here are some fun pics I took this weekend. The girls went swimming for the first time from the boat. The water was about 78 degrees and they hopped in to swim over to the little island behind them in this picture.



Allison was a big deal 'driving' the boat!

And here's Allison and me on the camel at the Bronx Zoo. I don't know how anyone rides those animals across the desert! A 30 second ride was MORE than long enough for me!

This is the New York City skyline as seen from the sky ride at the zoo. If you look really close you can tell which building is the Empire State Building.

Delight Mammah

We got a wonderfully sweet letter from our Compassion International Sponsor child today. We've sent him a couple of letters and some photos of us all, along with some postcards and drawings from the girls. Here's a quote from the letter he wrote:

"Thanks so much for remembering me. Anytime I read your letter I feel some kind of joy within me. What makes me to be more happy is the beautiful pictures you sent to me. You are all beautiful. I love you all."

I can just imagine him saying these things with an adorable accent. He's from Ghana and he's 7 years old. His mother named him Delight Mammah. It must be because she knew what a delight it is to have children! Anyway, getting letters from him and reading about his life and knowing what our letters mean to him really makes it SO worth being a sponsor family! Katie and Becky especially get excited when we get mail from Compassion! It makes this child on the other side of the world REAL to us. It makes us AWARE of another culture besides our own. It makes our world BIGGER. And it FEELS GREAT to help a child. Check it out.

Stuff

So. The girls and I have been going to Vacation Bible School this week. So far we've had a car full of little girls coming with us each night. There's a class for all age groups and an adult Bible study and then a special presentation of some sort. Last night we had a professional photographer show us a multi media presentation of nature photographs from Adirondack National Park. Apparently he is the keynote speaker at U Mass next week for a seminar on nature photography. The seminar is for National Geographic Photographers. It was very cool to sit and watch the presentation and to hear little bits of insight and observation from the person behind the camera. His name is Mark Bowie and he has at least one coffee table book out and another in the works. I may just have to get a copy!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I'm SO over living in a construction zone!! There's nothing worse than being woken up at 6:45 AM to the BAM, BAM, BAM of a hammer - ESPECIALLY during the SUMMER! When will it end!? These passed few nights have been tough sleeping due to the EXTREME heat and humidity we've been experiencing and to get woken up SO early is QUITE miserable!

We went to Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags New England last weekend with Michelle & family when they were here to visit. What a blast! The weather was HOT HOT HOT but the crowds were manageable. We did the amusement park for a few hours and then headed over to the water park when it got unbearably hot. What a great day. We always have fun when they come to visit!

Coming up soon, Katie is going to camp at Word of Life Ranch in Schroon Lake, NY. She's going to have such a blast. Rebecca is going to a Christian day camp locally. Their friends from Maine are coming down and doing the camps with them. Should be a fun week! Then after that we are headed to Sebago Lake! We've rented a cabin there for the week right on the water. Ed is looking forward to getting out on the lake early in the mornings for some fishing. I'm just looking for a nice break from routine! We are going to try the Songo Locks. I won't even try to explain to you what it is. Check out the link - it sounds SO cool!

I'll post some pictures next time. I think of have one of Allison and me riding a CAMEL at the Bronx Zoo!

Yummy Recipe

This is a yummy recipe that my kids LOVE. It's easy to make too. Our friends from Maine were down this weekend and I made it - they liked it too. I love recipes for the grill in the summertime.

Mexican Chicken Sandwiches

3 tblsp. olive oil
4 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 boneless chicken breast halves
1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Taco Cheese, divided
1/3 cup mayonnaise
8 slices sourdough bread
1/2 cup salsa

In a bowl, combing oil and seasonings. Brush over both sides of chicken. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until done.

Meanwhile, combine 1 cup of cheese and mayo and set aside. Grill bread slices on one side until brown. Flip, spread cheese mixture on bread and grill until slightly melted.

Place chicken on cheese side of bread; top with salsa and remaining cheese. Cover with other slice of bread.

4 servings.