Bus Paint Job

One of the family's latest project was putting the decor and finishing touches on our bus. 

It was a big project and took a bit of time, but with lots of diligence and team work the job got done.

 First, we used a projector to project the design onto the bus, then we outlined it with a marker.

The next step was to go along with tape and tape over our outline.

All taped up and ready to go to the shop for some paint.

It was quite the process!

The new look! We are all pretty happy on how it turned out.

"WHATSOEVER
 thy 
HAND 
findeth to DO,
do it with thy 
MIGHT!"
Ecclesiastes 9:10

Harvest Season

Tis the season for canning! And lots of it! 

August was an extremely busy month for us with our annual picking, canning/freezing of various kinds of vegetables from our garden. Most of which has been the tomatoes, which included over 150 plants this year. There also included a bountiful harvest of beans, zucchini, carrots, beets, onions, peppers, potatoes and other yummy veggies. 

God has definitely blessed us with a fruitful garden this year. And for which we are thankful!

These tomatoes are looking like they need to be picked. 

The pickers are at work!

 The first two major pickings that were done the first week we harvested 7 full baskets of tomatoes, two crates of peppers, and a tub of onions. I think we are set to make some salsa!

Our washing, cooling, peeling setup. 

But first they need to be blanched. 

Naomi's ready to go at it!

Time for some peeling! 

Our sister and her family stayed with us for a few days. Leana, our fast growing niece and big helper, loved working beside her aunties. 

The chopping and deseeding station. 

Smiles in the kitchen.

The salsa is cooking away!

Over the span of a month of canning the four girls canned up around 200 quarts of tomato products, which included salsa, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, a veggie sauce, and both chucked and juiced tomatoes. We're starting to feel ready for winter!

The girls found some wild grapes this summer. 

They're off the vine and ready to be cooked, then made into grape jelly.

Carrots!

Anyone want some zucchini?

Beans, beans, and more beans! 

It's a snapping party!

Now it's time to get them blanched and ready for the freezer.

We are so blessed to have our freezer chocked full of these homegrown green delicacies. Yummy!

Potato picking!

To throw in the mix of our craziness some of the girls were busy this summer working at a couple farms in the neighborhood.

 One day while babysitting we gave the kiddos a ride. They enjoyed it bunches!

"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: 
but the hand of the diligent taketh rich.
He that gatherers in summer is a wise son: 
but he that sleepers in harvest is a son that causeth shame."
Proverbs 10:4-5

Lake Itasca Gospel Music Festival

The Lake Itasca Music Festival was extra special for us this year. Not only was it awesome because we got to hang out with good friends, but we also got to be with the ENTIRE family. We were all able to attend this year! Something that doesn't happen very often.

The music festival draws a crowd of around two thousand every year.
This year was no exception!

A view from the sky.

One of the many family bands, the Russell family. 

How often does a person get to see two buses lined up like this? 

These rigs are ready to be parked for the weekend. 

Hey there! Now who is that?! Looks to me like four little heads peeping out ready for a hand out of some kind. 

We all had a blast being parked by and hanging out with the ever so famous Paul family during the whole weekend.

The buses parked together made an awesome place to hang out and have some lunch. 

All of us together.

Saturday morning Laurissa and Naomi competed in the adult division for the fiddle contest.

The girls hard work and dedication paid off. Laurissa took 2nd and Naomi got 3rd place!

Each contestant was required to play a reel/breakdown of some kind, and then a tune of choice.

A mandolin workshop is in action! 

The Benson family did an awesome workshop on vocal harmony. 

Naomi had fun watching the two youngest Paul kids during the festival.

On Saturday there were opportunities for bands to play on some open side stages. 

Here is the Fraser family. 

Due to weather changes the festival got moved into a more cozy and intimate vicinity. 

A Mountain Faith Band concert!

Sunday morning a large group of us hiked the two miles to the Head Waters of the Mississippi.

      There were many laughs, smiles, and good conversations along the way.

The walk there and back was beautiful!

Cool water always feels good on the feet. 

Sweet smiles from our niece/granddaughter, Leana.

Group Picture! 

Here we have the Russell family, Pauls, us and a few other friends. 

To say the least we would have to say that our weekend was awesome! We feel very blessed to have so many dear friends and acquaintances who know Jesus and love him with all their heart. 

"To God be the glory, great things He hath done; 

So loved he the world that he gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life gate that all may go in."

"Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the people rejoice!

O come through the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He hath done."

Song lyrics from "To God Be the Glory"