A special occasion; a large fruit; and a weekend at camp

First things first, Wade and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on Sept. 9 -- yea! Although we didn't go out and do anything special, Wade did pick up a beautiful bouquet of roses for me, and I made one of his favorite desserts for him.

Our garden produced the largest tomato I've ever seen... and I turned it into spaghetti sauce. Dude, when you've got almost a dozen tomato plants you just do what you gotta do!

Our family extended the summer and postponed the beginning of school until after the homeschool family camp at Trail's End Ranch the weekend following Labor Day. There were horse rides; archery lessons; great music by The Fiddlers Three (unfortunately they don't have a website or I'd link it), a group of four siblings who play fiddle, banjo, bass fiddle, accordion, guitar, drum, penny whistle and harp, and who provided rousing music, an instrument "petting zoo" and insightful talks; good food; and of course the high ropes adventure rides -- zip line, big swing and flying squirrel.

Here Isaac helps out by ringing the bell for dinner.

Isaac thoroughly enjoying his ride on the big swing.

Levi also got a thrill out of the big swing.

Levi finally got up the courage to ride a horse, a loved it (as did Luke, even though there's not a picture here).

Lij even took a go-round, smiling most of the way around the corral.

All that walking plum tuckered Luke out. Good thing Daddy was there to help out.

Lij tried out a violin...

... and a the harp during the musical petting zoo.

Luke and I (Kerri) coming down the zipline -- even though we were harnessed in we still both felt the urge to hold on tight!

A view from a bluff at the camp. Trail's End Ranch is located maybe 10 or so miles south of Ekalaka, Montana, which is about 35 miles south of Baker, Montana, on Highway 94. It's a different kind of beautiful than I grew up with, but breath-taking nonetheless.