Prairie Rose Western Days

Yee Haw!!! We all sure had a rootin' tootin' good time out at the Prairie Rose Western Days! Ain't them some purdy cowgirls?Ride 'em Sarah!!! Riding the train- viewing the grounds

Charity ropin' cattle

Click here to watch Charity lasso that buckin' bronco!

Click to watch Chris...doing the same? Yip, that's the old cow hand himself!

Speakin' of purdy cowgirls!

Sarah find-um totem pole!

A tribe of great white hunters We must prepare for the hunt! The tribe dons their war paint, hides, bear claws and... hunts down a herd of ...uh..... What a strange herd!Now this is a strange looking creature! Doesn't look like good eatin' at all!

This one needs some fattening up!

After they return-um to teepee, war party celebrates the hunt with...Peace Pipe?

Me-um glad it just western demonstration! No smoke signals from this tribe!!!

This is the only photo of the guys. Their adventure wasn't nearly so interesting.

The day was filled with stories from the Santa Fe trail, wagon rides, demonstrations and crafts of the old west. It was a treat to be able to participate in this event. Thanks Prairie Rose. It was a very educationally profitable field trip.

The perfect Mother's Day...spending it with those I love

This year, Rebecca invited us all to her home for Mother's Day. We ate a meal together, visited, played games, and opened presents. It was a joyous time together, one of the best Mother's Days I've ever had. As you read along, see if you don't agree that God gives us such wonderful gifts, such that we don't deserve! The little ones spent time playing...This is Ethan's first experience with having tea...

"This would taste much better if it had something in it!"

Esther put on her "I luv Mommy" hat and...spent the afternoon on her computer. Ruthy played in her swing, but was watching everyone very closely. She has a beautiful and heartwarming smile.Of course Jonathan was an angel, and spent the longest time content to play with the gym. His smile melts my heart.

Rebecca planned and executed a wonderful meal for our ever growing family...and with our number now up to 15, then adding Grandma and Grandpa, Rebecca had 17 people for dinner! (except the babies, of course) This task required help from the whole family...Dan is mashing the potatoes...and Hannah obviously thinks he's doing a wonderful job. Dave is stirring the gravy...although I think he was just hungry and trying to hurry up the process.GRANDPA!!! GET OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR!

We all worked together cleaning up afterwards as well. We found that cleanup time is a great time to visit. Grandma opening presents...it's a long handled hairbrush!

Rachel's collage frame

Rebecca's collage frame

Daniel, another precious gift from heaven!

I was so blessed by the presence of my family together, that the gifts were like......

gravy...just adding to the wonderful day!

By then, we had worn grandpa out...but the rest of us...

played games for the rest of the evening. Some played "pegs and jokers"...

while others played Rook.

If this meal and time together had been the only event of the day, I would have been blessed beyond measure. However, God filled my cup to overflowing.

Early that morning, we went to Emmaus Church where we witnessed the "dedications" of both Esther and Ruthy.

(Doesn't she look like she is being trained in the ways of our Lord?)

Click play to watch a short clip of the dedications service.

NO that still isn't ALL that I was blessed with on Mother's Day. Samuel was honored to be asked to co-preached the sermon in our church that morning. He preached on II Timothy 4:12 which reads...

"Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." It was a joyous thing to hear Samuel testifying of the Lord's work in His life.

You might ask, can it get any better than that? YES IT CAN!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

We were blessed on Mother's day with the announcement of another addition to the family, coming in late December or early January. Dan and Rebecca will soon become the proud parents of their 3rd child. We welcome him/her with all of our hearts!

Now I ask you...on this side of heaven, can it get any better than this?

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" 2 Corintians 9:15

The Klassen-Busenitz Wedding

We were recently honored to be able to attend the wedding of a young lady whose family we have known for many years. Both the bride's and groom's families attend our church. It was a "country setting", hay bales, wagon wheels and cowboy hats...the works! Of course, the bride was beautiful! Tiffany and Phil Busenitz (Phil is Dan and Dave's cousin)

Chris enjoyed visiting with old friends, Wilferd and Gladys Thiessen.

Hannah and her friend Bethany. "Grandma" helped in the kitchen at the reception...and Ethan came for a visit. (He knew where the cake was!!!)

Rachel and Jonathan

Dave played music during the reception.

The setting for the wedding was beautifulas was the reception

It was a beautiful day. God blessed with good weather. The couple will reside in Wyoming, where Phil will ranch with his uncle. Congratulations Phil and Tiffany!