River Time with Cy

We are having an AMAZING September. I've been told it's an Indian Summer. I'll take it over the typical rain - any time!  We took advantage of the sun to swim. This is probably our last chance to play on the river this season and Josiah is here! 

Poor Yuuki

I love this photo of Alex giving Stacia some fishing pointers.

We took the row boat and our kayak down. 

I was enjoying the beach on the other side when the kids mentioned a snake was enjoying the sun with me and slithered in - I let him have the river.  Stacia loves fishing - just loves it.

Alex likes rocks - and building! 

Beautiful!

Catching up.....

Look Who's Here!

Josiah came down for six days. The kids kicked off their visit playing pick it up. 

See? We have guest quarters! 

We're all excited to have Josiah here for a visit. I'm sure we can't match up to his adventures with JaRissa in Alaska, but we'll give it a shot. 

Mom G's Fabulous Road Trip

Stacia, Pat, Mary, Mom G - and Jack in the rear

We drove down to Eureka to visit family in July. We knew we wanted to get Mom G down for a visit. Mom didn't want to do an overnight trip. She can't ride in our van. We planned to use her car - which means the boys stayed home. It also meant we wouldn't have room to drive John and Mary around with us - they don't drive. Pat (front left, purple) came to our rescue.

Michael, Stacia, Mom and I drove down to Eureka. We met Pat, John and Mary at John and Mary's. We had a great lunch. Our next stop was Pat's for Mary's piano recital. We topped the day off with dinner and a nice visit with Uncle Jack and Aunt Beverly. Uncle Jack is Mom G's younger brother.

This is the only photo I took. I get a kick out of Jack photo bombing in the back of the photo. I will have to get more photos on future trips.

Fall Nature Walk & Craft

Fall is closing in upon us here in Extreme Northern California (as opposed to the area from the Bay to Sacramento). We've begun school.  We have two high school students and one middle school student this year. How did THAT happen? All of them can read.  

Our "peopler" - Stacia - is falling into some new routines. She craves interaction; I sit and do history, science and lit with her most days. She is great at getting it all done independently when I'm running someone to a doctor or appointment. 

She spends the afternoon baking, she and I play a bit of basketball or go on  walks. We are working on carving out one or two afternoons a week for her to go over to Mom G's. They both miss that time together. We usually aren't done with school until 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. and by the time I run her over (bridge is still being constructed - long waits) and back it is cutting into dinner prep time. We are going to double up some days so she has freer time on at least one day of the week.....we'll keep playing with our responsibilities here and our responsibilities outside of the trailer as well. 

Today, the sun was bright and we enjoyed a nice nature hike. I showed Stacia the mountain above our RV Park. I don't think the boys have been up there yet. We took a little basket and she picked up various things to make a "fall craft." 

Our treasures

 I wasn't sure of her vision - but this looked positive....

A lovely fall centerpiece! 

I do LOVE the colors of fall. We spent quite a few years in locations that either had hot and HOTTER seasons (TX)  or cold and COLDER seasons (AK, Northern Japan) and the riot of colors is a joy this year. I'm storing up memories as I know fall is fleeting in Alaska and our hearts are wandering up the AlCan.

*Peopler is a term Stacia created to describe herself - it fits extroverts well. LOL 

Bella and Bre Visit Josiah

Doesn't this look like a fun children's ministry team? Bre - back holding Bella - took her team to Seattle for an "Orange" conference. Maybe it has a different name....

Among the benefits of the trip, was Uncle Cy getting to spend time with Bella. Bella is  5 months here. 

In an ironic twist, Josiah's Chick Fil A team made the meals for the conference....

Krista's Ordination Service

We drove up to Oregon this weekend for a big event. We wouldn't miss being present when Krista took the next step in her goal to be a United States Air Force Chaplain.

We started the weekend by walking in the house and realizing Dad needed to go to the E.R. He spent our entire visit in the hospital  and he and Mom missed Krista's Ordination service - but they were there in heart and spirit.

Sherri took great video of the entire ceremony. We edited it and Mom and Dad have a copy - but it's far too long to make into a Youtube clip.....not sure where to shorten it.  Thanks to Arielle for taking photos. I was busy with Gemma duty. SOMEONE had to hold Bella.

Sherri, Will's wife, took lots of video for us

It was fun to have Will and Sherri, CoRielle, and BreZaak and Lorri all present to celebrate with us. Cory does look a bit unsure about being in such company?

Cory, Arielle's beloved

Nolan, Stacia & Alex

Pastor Gary, on the left, was my youth group pastor growing up. When I graduated from high school, my parents were still missionaries in the Philippines. I lived with Gary and his wife Jonielle until I began college.  He began by speaking, then he had Michael read some Scripture and speak, then Pastor John read a passage and spoke. 

Gary had me come up and Krista walked through an oath, the church agreed to be prayer support for her and we all gathered up front and prayed for and with her as she steps out in faith.

Krista, Gary, Me, Michael 

Krista is presented with her framed Ordination Certificate - which she'll need. 

Pastor John then asked Krista to preach her first sermon as an ordained minister. She preached about a couple of the churches from Revelation - and it was challenging. I was happy to see she will carry on my inability to speak in public without her hands. LOL

It was fun to see Ray and Becki in attendance as well. When Krista licensed after graduation from Bible College  she was given a ministry mentor. Becki is a friend from middle school - and Krista's ministry mentor. How cool is that. It was fun to connect again. 

Becki was Krista's mentor and MY friend from Middle School

BreZaak and Bella! 

Bre, Izaak and Bella!

What does this all mean? As Pastor Gary said, "We see God working. As a denomination we are declaring we see Him at work and are joining Him."  To be an Air Force Chaplain Krista needs to meet military standards of fitness and retainability.....she also has to have a MDiv degree, have  Pastoral Experience and be ordained for two years before being commissioned.  She is working on the MDiv and is nearing the 1/2 way mark.  She's had the experience, but it's not "post-ordination," she will be looking to serve a church as she finishes her degree. She is moving to VA to finish the last part of her degree in residence.  She's been to MEPS and been approved as to military standards. She's waiting to hear when she will be interviewed by a Wing Chaplain and pending his approval will be accepted into the Chaplain Candidate program. She's following Jesus along a path she never envisioned and it's mighty fun to watch.

Nickerson Ranch Trail - #WYFF

Post by Michael

This is the second time on this trail, but the first time to get all of the way down it.  It was easy to see that it was once a wagon trail/road.  The trail is wide and level for the most part.  The real question is where, exactly, is the homestead.  Years ago, my mother said, the homestead was well-marked because of all of the apple trees.  Now, it is a bit more difficult to see the homestead.  Actually, we are not so sure we found it the site.  Michael's memory was that the homestead was across Mill Creek.  We did not get adventurous enough to cross the creek this time out, but the area is amazing.  You walk through towering Redwoods and alongside the ubiquitous fern to reach Mill Creek and its crystal clear waters.  If I were to build a homestead, this would be far and away ideal.  It is not easy to find out much about the Nickerson homestead, but the imagination can see an absolutely idyllic setting for raising a family and living life.

These towering Redwoods are only enhanced by such a lovely young woman as our Stacia has become.

Nolan showed his prowess at navigating a 15 passenger van through the sometimes tight confines of Howland Hill Rd.  He did a great job.  No dents, no dings, no errors.  Well done!

Someday, we are going to take the time to count the rings on one of these fallen Rewoods, but not this one.  It is just too small, and the rings are hard to see from about the hundred year mark to the center of the tree.  Any where else, this would be a massively huge tree, but not here.  Here it is smallish, at best.

Sitting on the top of the logs and looking out across the scenic beauty of Mill Creek.  No takers on jumping in this day, though.  The weather is beginning to change and the water is just a tad bit cooler than before. The view is amazing.

Guessing there may have been a barn or corral in this area for horses.  Just guessing though.  Will need to bring a metal detector the next time we come through.

For those who would like to hike along with us.