Summer

Hello, Family and Friends!  It's been a long time since I posted, so I thought I should give you a life update.  It's been a great summer, although it's going by much more quickly than I had anticipated.  Here it is almost August, and the long-anticipated wedding of my sister Wendy will be here in less than two weeks. 

This past week, I worked at the DuPage County Fair as a ticket collector.  I was thrilled on my last evening of work to be assigned the role of a security guard...the oh so coveted position of  checking people's bags for glass bottles and cans and just walking around looking official. The most exciting point in the evening was when a young lady was trying to get a horse to go into a trailer...he was obviously not happy with the trailer thing, and several times he got loose and started running free, cantering around a lot full of small children.  Then there was the lady who got very angry about being subjected to a bag-check.  An armed police officer had to intervene which still did not prevent a shouting match complete with continuous profanity and insult slinging.  The absolute highlight of the fair happened when I came back as a normal citizen to attend a concert put on by Jars of Clay and Steven Curtis Chapman.  This is the first time the DuPage County Fair has had a Christian concert, but they told the audience that it would not be the last.  There were probably close to 4000 people there.  For those of you who are familiar with the tragic death of the Chapman's youngest daughter about two months ago, you will understand why Chapman's songs hit so close to home.  He shared how the Lord is sustaining their family and bringing joy in the midst of terrible grief.  Noelle went with me, and we were both deeply moved.  The Daily Herald wrote up the story, and I'll post it below. 

  Happy news!  On Palm Sunday,  Steve Larson asked Wendy to marry him, and she said yes!  

We are greatly looking forward to having another brother in the family, especially since the girls still have a comfortable lead of 6 to 4.  We won't talk about the girl record in the neice/nephew department.  :)  

Noelle had fun trying on Mom's wedding dress. 
We'll keep you posted as to the details!

Chicago

 On Noelle's birthday a few weeks ago, I gave her a home-made certificate for a trip to the Shedd Aquarium...mostly because it was free, I wanted to go myself, and I knew that this way I could go under the guise of being a wonderful big sister.  :) Wendy, Gayle, Noelle and I all ended up going down to Chicago yesterday to spend a few hours among marine life. 

We took this snake picture for Grandma Porter because we just knew she would love the background. :)

The penguins were absolutely adorable...I really wanted to take some of these little tykes home with me!

The dolphin show was amazing...definitely the highlight!  I kept trying to get a good picture, but the camara has a delay, and mostly all I got was rippled water!  Here's one shot that almost caught these amazing creatures.  I am reminded of kayaking at West Campus while at college in Florida.  We were paddling along, minding our own business one day, when several dolphins swam up and kept us company.  I was a little scared because they resemble sharks just enough to make me more comfortable looking at them through thick glass walls.  Apparently, they are extremely intelligent, and they actually ward off sharks.   Anyway, if you ever get a chance to see them, do!

 We had a hard time keeping track of Noelle...I'm just glad nobody fell into the baluga whale pool or into Lake Michigan!

For a girl who would almost always prefer a lake or a mountain to a building, even I have to say that Chicago has a beautiful skyline.

 All in all, it was a wonderful trip.  Thanks, Sistas!

November

Autumn is my favorite time of year, probably because of the memories that  are woven into the colors and smells of the season.  Crimson and gold leaves and crunching footfalls remind me to savor each day as the weather gets cooler and dusk comes more quickly.  I have always wanted to go out east sometime during the fall because I have heard that it is really beautiful, and I had a good excuse to go this year!  A good friend from college days, Heather, has come to Chicago probably two or three times since we graduated, but I have never gone to visit her.   So, this fall I decided to plan a road trip to the Creation Museum in Kentucky, through King, NC, to visit Heather, to Raleigh to see Jenelle and Derek, to the Shanendoah Valley to camp with the bears in the mountains, to various historical sights  including D.C., back through PA, Morenci, MI and home again to Chicago (in about 6 days :).  However, gas prices and common sense downsized my trip to a simple flight to North Carolina last weekend. :)  

I have to say, Jenelle and Derek, you live in a beautiful state.  I'm sorry I didn't get to Raleigh...it would have been great to see you guys!  

I was up by the Virginia border, and we spent a lot of time hiking. Although the mountains are not majestic like the Rockies, they are peaceful and beautiful.  This is Pilot Mountain.

This picture is for Dr. Katana, a pioneer in commuter medicine. 

This caboose is parked at a historic depot along "New River" in Virginia. 

There were a few times when I should have stayed on the path.

There is some mountain goat in my blood, possibly due to a transfusion from my cousin, Gwenny.   

Lovely scenic view from a lookout called "Hanging Rock"

This is a bluff near the top of Pilot Mountain in North Carolina.

These wild Virginion stallions are for you, Noelle. 

More leaves. 

This cave went far back into the bluff, and it was said that a goat lived in there.  (no smart comments, please ;)

Gorgeous overlooks

Brooks and Emily are always up for an adventure. Do you think this took place in Taiwan or on Gull Lake in Michigan?  Answer before you scroll down. 

Blissfully unaware, they enjoy the beauty of the water

Oh, yeah! They're still hangin on...Brooks is somehow keeping his balance. 

Now what do you say?