High Summer

A standout summer day was a Sunday with some of our favorite people. One of the families in our small church has been notably generous with their hospitality this year, as when warmer weather arrived, we've been meeting outside at each other's homes. They've opened their home with greatest warmth, stocked it with goodies for children and adults alike (having 9 grown children, they know what makes both littles and biggles tick),  and made Sunday afternoon fellowship in their backyard something we've looked forward to each time.

Notwithstanding all the extra accouterments they've willingly shared (electric bike, go-cart, fresh mulberries, hours in their pond, candy bowls, BUBBLEGUM MACHINE WITH A BOWL OF PENNIES NEARBY, etc., etc.), they also have some pretty amazing clout with a pretty amazing person-- their son Theon.

(first 3 pictures by Millie)

 Roberta is the sort of mother I would like to be one day. She's relaxed, warm, open-hearted, and accepting of all the grubby, little finger smudges on the windows.


Theon saved up for his first welding set by the time he was 12, taught himself how to weld, and now he builds things like this.

....and THIS.

Roberta arranged for him to take us out for an afternoon on the lake in his amphibious houseboat, and it was an adventure none of the children are going to forget anytime soon. 

Roberta had stocked the cabin with dozens of treats for us to enjoy, the little ones and I swam on the side of the boat, and the bigger ones jumped off the roof.

A peerless day, and the violent storm that arrived at the end to sweep us off the water and back home again just added to the adventure. 

(photo by Millie)