Swimming Lessons

Sorry about the very lousy pictures. I guess I should have gotten off of my lawn chair. We have enjoyed the "fruits" of swimming lessons the last two weeks. They have both done very well. Their mom and dad are pleased, but we do have more to learn. Bri can atleast keep herself afloat and get places with her head in the water. It has been thrilling to watch her enjoy the water and learn so much. As always, Brett is quite a bit more cautious. He has learned a lot too, but has a little further to go before he is actually swimming. Crazy me signed them up for two more weeks today so I am really hoping that they will both be doing very well till those weeks are up. Just maybe I might get some better pictures the next two weeks. We are enjoying summer!!

Brett turns 5!!

We celebrated Brett turning 5 in several different ways. His birthday was Friday, July 18th, and Auntie Bev fixed a nice lunch with all the birthday amenities which was enjoyed by all. The kids also enjoyed the swimming and playing with their cousins. Friday evening we had a birthday supper at our house with Grandma Riffey, Aunt Stephie, Holly, Megan, Aunt Amy, Ty, Cameron, Auntie B, and Andre. He opened his long-awaited for gifts and enjoyed each one. Thank you everyone! We then trucked off to enjoy the skits at Youth Camp where Travis was enjoying the weekend. It was quite a day! We were all tired, but happy!

Then on Tuesday, July 22nd, Grandma and Grandpa Schaurer came to share his cake and bring his present. He was very pleased with his shovel and rake. Mom is a little worried about losing vegetable and flower plants. Just maybe he might be a big help in the garden someday. They did help me pick green beans last week and I am not sure the plants will produce much more. LOL!

July 12th

Family Fun Day at U. Joe's

We started the morning at 9am with professional pictures of the family for Grandma's Christmas gift. The one picture that most of us won't forget is the whole family spelling out "Boone" on the ridge in the hot sun! Thankfully, it did not take too long and we all headed for the shade. The days temperature was around 90, but it did not hinder the fun!! After lunch we played several different games. Most of the following pictures are of us having a great time! Late in the afternoon, U. Joe's brought in a huge blow up "adrenaline rush" play center. After they added a sprinkler to the fun, the kids had a great time. The moms are still trying to get red mud out of the clothing! It was worth it. At dark, the older unmarried grandkids set off fireworks for all of us!

Travis Bowman, Roxanne Boone, Jack Boone, and Bronson Boone playing the "spandex" game. You had to be sure to run to the right or you might lose some teeth.
The egg toss was a hit. Everyone did very well at it. We were amazed at how much a raw egg could take. Jeff and Beth Beckner, Bronson and Travis, and Karen Boone and A.Mimi were the finalist.

A. Mimi just could not bring herself to try to catch that egg. For some

reason she did not want egg running down her face!

Water balloon volleyball was another hit. However, we had trouble keeping our water balloons from disappearing!
Russell helping the little children play water balloon volleyball.
Ty Brunk just did not like the grown men and young boys getting each other very wet. He had to do a little crying right in the red dirt; hence, red mud all over his face.
The blow up fun machine. Briana running onto the next line of fun!
Stephen Austin getting his turn playing king of the mountain. Even the "grown ups" enjoyed the "adrenaline rush."
We went and visited Grandma in the late afternoon. She was feeling well when we were there. We showed her our pictures from the day so that she could see what her "wild" tribe had been up to. She wasn't feeling very well this weekend so she did not get in on many of the activities, but we are thankful that we did get to spend some time with her. We Love You!!
After supper, the little kids wanted to do the balloon sit so we had them blow up their balloons and we got started. They had a great time, but, Boy, those balloons were hard to bust!! Here, Eric Boone is trying his hardest to pop the balloon. His mother, Mimi, is in the background attempting to help!
Oh, boy, she is trying to really help! Yip, Eric is still on the chair and A. Mimi is too. They did finally get it popped!
Karlee Austin trying to pop hers. She just needs a little more weight on her side.
After dark, the glowsticks came out and boy were they fun for the kids!

Thank you U. Joe and A. Ronda for a wonderful day!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and relieve a little Stress!! Yip, the "older" ladies had to finally try the spandex game and, boy, was it fun!! Girls, my calves were a little sore the next day. Thanks for the great stress relief and exercise!!

This is it, the final blog of the 2008 Boone Reunion! Thank you God for family that love You and one another. We know that You are the One who has given all things to us!! May You be glorified as we go our separate ways. I pray that You will keep all of our family in Your care!!

July 11th

Touring Franklin County

The Boone's rented a tour bus and off we went touring the county of our parent's childhood. We learned a lot and enjoyed fellowshipping as we went from place to place. One of my favorite spots was the Homestead Creamery. The waffle cones and ice cream was yummy!!

Our first stop of the morning was the Blue Ridge Farm Museum where we saw an old "liquor" truck. They used these trucks to haul illegal liquor. The trucks were equipped to hide their load, they were "souped" up to run from the law and had other features to help to hide them from the law. Interesting I must say!!

We also viewed souvenirs from times past. The children enjoyed the hats.

Out in the small farm village they had yoked oxen. It was fun to show the kids because they loved reading about Almonzo's oxen in Farmer Boy. I was thankful we had just read several of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books because it gave the kids a visual of what we had read.

Eric Daniel Boone, Ty Andrew Brunk, & Brett Daniel Schaurer

Andre even enjoyed the large oxen.

The second stop was the aboves first school house. A two room school house that was at the top of a large hill from Grandma's. I can't say I envy any of these who had to walk to school. A.Bonnie said Grandma would not let her walk because she was a girl, but somehow when the second girl came around, Mom, she got to walk. I guess when you are no. 6 you get some privileges. It was fun to listen to them all tell stories about going to school here. It is interesting to note that some of younger ones were allowed to go to school before they were five and sit with their siblings. I can't really imagine that happening today. Also, U. Terry showed Mom some brotherly love when he would walk her back home at noon. One trek a day would be bad enough, but two!
Andre Micheal Bowman
One of our last stops was Franklin Welding. The business that great uncle glen started many years ago. U. Bill is president today and it is where my grandfather spent many, many hours while mom was growing up. I remember being there as a child so it was fun to revisit and hear U. Bill tell a little about how the business got started.

We toured several other places throughout the day and ate lunch at Smith Mountain Lake. By the time we returned to U. Keith's we were hot and tired, but I would say a good time was had by all. The worst part of the day was eating three times after 1pm. It was all very yummy, but my stomach was a little too full. I think Brett and Bri's favorite part of the day was the bus ride. Imagine no car seats or seat belts. It was a free for all!

Boone Reunion 2008

Bev, Clem, and Andre travelled with us down to Virginia on Wednesday afternoon. We had a good trip; although we had to make a couple different "potty" stops.

Canoeing Day - July 10th

We started the day at U. Bill and A.Emily's about 10am. The first matter of business was the kids finding a snapping turtle in the creek. Reminded me of the many hours that us girls spent playing in the creek when we were staying with Sara and Karen. It brings back wonderful memories. We ate lunch about 11:30 - yummy subs - and then those of us who were canoeing loaded up in several vans and headed to the place that we were putting in. I am not sure how many canoes there were, but we made a nice group on the river. Brett and Bri had not been canoeing before so it was fun to take them. Within the first few minutes of the trip, we were caught on a large rock in rapids until Russ and Steph broad sided us and knocked us off. The kids were not too thrilled with that ride, but they eventually calmed down and enjoyed the rest of the trip. Sorry, that I have no pictures, but we opted to keep the camera safe. Trust us we had a great time and arrived back in time for supper and sharing. Thank you U.Bill, A.Emily, Polly, and Ben for all your efforts. We throughly enjoyed the day.

July 4th Weekend

Happy Birthday, Ethan. You are 3!!

We were blessed this past weekend to have Joe, Denise, Ethan, and Elisa Hess come visit us from PA. We so enjoyed the visit and getting to know the children again. Elisa, it was so fun to meet you for the first time. Thank you Joe and Denise for taking the time to come visit!
There is not much new in our life. We continue to wait on the Lord. We are headed to VA today to be with the Boones for a fun, family time. Blessings to everyone.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Ethan riding the tricycle and making a goofy face.
Brett and Bri taking a taxi ride.
Brett trying to get close to Elisa.
Our July 4th supper company.