Kidney Creeks Sierra [July 7, 1999 - August 10, 2011]

Twelve wonderful years, that is what she gave us. There will never be another like her. There will always be an ache in our hearts without her. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Having her in our lives gave us some of our most joyful times. I am forever grateful for each day and find peace knowing we gave her a wonderful life.

Baby Sierra and Little Ross December 2000

Sharing Secrets, Becoming Family May 2008

I will always love you so...

Rest in peace Girly, one day I will see you on the Rainbow Bridge...

A little ADK R & R

Two weeks ago we ventured north to the Adirondack mountains for a little R & R and to spend some quality time with family and friends. I'd say we were successful on all accounts.

Helping Baba cook breakfast

Snorkeling boys, happy dogs, warm water = some serious fun times

Mama & Miss Grace playing in the lake

 There were of course a few "adventures" to recount. The biggest one being the day that Captain A's boat almost sank. The lake was very rough that day and the waves overtook the boat one at a time while we were not paying attention. It was docked while we were enjoying a lakeside dinner. Just as we were about to leave we noticed an EnCon Officer rapidly approaching the docks. We all looked at what his hurry was and to our horror--it was Captain A's boat!!! Yup, it was memorable and I didn't take photos but the images in all our minds will last a long time I'm sure! And just when you thought that was enough, there was more. Captain A and the "Teens" were out waterskiing having a great time. As has been done countless times one of them decided to drop a ski close to shore and slalom ski for a bit. As fate would have it, didn't an oncoming boat hit the ski and totally ruin it as well as bend their prop? Oh dear, it was not a happy moment for anyone, once again! I'm happy to say that was all of the "adventures" I have to report.

Happier times with Captain A

Beach Buddies

The weather was warm and we only had one day of rain which really didn't slow us down at all. It was simply permission to "cozy in" and slow down the pace.

Rainy nights won't steal our fun!

Cozy Times

Ah yes, life is good ~Kate-Lyn~

Crickets, Chimichangas and Crutch Cams

Huh?

Crickets

That is the word around our house lately. Not the literal insect but the silence one must have in order to hear them. You see Ross is away on vacation with friends of our family. He's been gone since Thursday at noon. It feels and sounds as if he's been gone a month. His normal modus operendus is to create a generalized "stir" about the house with a flurry of friends coming and going. Some knocking, some not. Some coming in and grabbing a glass of ice water and piece of fruit before heading on through the house to see him. This is how it normally is and we like it that way. Now? Silence. Hurry home Ross we need some hub-bub around here. I take back all I've thought or said about you and your busy-bee lifestyle :0)

Boyz!

Chimichangas

This past weekend we went to Cedar Ridge to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

You see the weekend prior we toiled and sweated Ew! How we sweated! to beautify our yard where we park the RV's. With the help of our good friend Uncle A we really made good progress. The Cuzin's came too and lent a hand for a day also. What a difference! I must say our little Grace is quite a gardner. She is not afraid of getting dirty or having some bugs crawling on her. She genuinely put out some serious girl-hours of labor!

The garden Miss Grace so lovingly tended to

This trip we deemed Mexican Night when planning the menu. Isn't it always about the food? So we all made a yummy Mexican dish and chowed down after a grueling day at the lake. Girl Cuzin' D even made delicious Sangria for the occasion, how refreshing!

Sangria  & Corona, ah Summer!

Some more Cuzins' came to join us along with more family and friends. All in all it was a nice, relaxing weekend. And, the weather was perrrrr-fect.

Getting ready for the FIESTA!

Crutch Cam

Sadly, about three weeks ago Boy Cuzin' D fell through the deck he was so lovingly building for his parents and broke his leg just below the knee. This weekend he joined us for some R&R and some moaning when going up and down steps in hopes to get his mind off his injury.

Not gonna slow him down

In true Cuzin' D fashion he made the best of the situation by cleverly creating a Crutch Cam whereby he filmed the weekend events. Too funny!

Crutch Cam!

Oh, how I adore summer. Lake breezes, visitors at Camp, starry skies, cold Coronas with a lime wedge, the whiff of campfires and that wonderful sleep that comes with the chilly night wind blowing through the screens.

Sailing, sailing over the deep blue...lake?

Living large, lovin' life...

~Kate-Lyn~

Fabulous Fourth of July

Every year it's all about friends, family, God and country. Every year it's the same. Every year it's different. Every year--it's awesome.

A few glimpses...

Daddy, Sierra and Miss Grace taking a walk in the field at Cedar Ridge

Beautiful wildflower boquet hand-picked at Cedar Ridge

Ross & Q target shooting in the corral at Cedar Ridge

Bathing Beauties at the lake

BFF's enjoying some lakeside R&R

Boat Watching

Picture Me, Picturing You

Boyz in Kayaks

Family Fun Times

Crazy Cuzins'

Annual River Swim

The Jump!

The Landing!

Brothas and Sistas

My Little Sunshine

Exploring the Deep Dark Forest at Wolf Pond

Every year this is THE weekend I so look forward to and anticipate all year long. I know I'm not alone. We all feel the same. I hear it in the adults as they heave decompressing sighs by firelight. I see it in the faces of the children as they gleefully splash in the lake. I see it in the youthful energy of the teens.

Yes, this is the substance of life. Simple, uncomplicated, deeply gratifying moments shared with those I love so much.

Praising God for His goodness ~Kate-Lyn~

So much June fun...

It all started with an amazing lacrosse season for the Varsity team. After several nail-biting, hard fought games, they took the Section II, Class A title. It was a very exciting season. They worked hard and should be proud of their accomplishment.

Bittersweet was the planting of the memory garden for my sister Bert. Her legacy lives on in all the people she lovingly counselled and advocated for. Some for the first time ever, have a safe, clean, permanent place to call Home at the Hill Street Inn because of her. The Director told us that when my sister was done with a case she would specifically ask for a file that no one else wanted to take. Someone that everyone else felt they had exhausted all options for. Amazing.

Here are a few photos of the garden "in process". I will post more when I can visit again and view the beautiful finished product.

 

Then came Father's Day which we spent with my niece and her family. We had a picnic and it was a perfect day for it. We even made a few new friends and are looking forward to the next outing all together.

Next came Miss Grace's Pre-K Graduation.

Along with celebrating Miss Grace's big day, Ross had his last day of Ninth Grade. In September he heads to the "big building" where he will finish his last three years of school (OMG, I can't believe I just typed that!).

WHEW! Now that's alot of joy! Before you know it, it'll be the Fourth of July. Gosh I love summer!

Just soaking it all in   

~Kate-Lyn~

Beautiful Words to Ponder...

As believer's we can have much hope, such joy and...peace:

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11

Praising God

~Kate-Lyn~

Bug bites and soggy sleeping bags....

 ...sure makes you grateful for good friends to "weather the storms" with, I'll say.

Typically Memorial Day Weekend is our first VERY joyful camping weekend. It is LONG anticipated after winters dormancy. This one was no different. So despite the bugs (a true bumper crop this year says the news) and the soggy weather (did I mention it rained so hard that Ross and his lax Bro Dan could ring out their sleeping bags after coming in out of the storm?) we did our best to have a fun time.

 We day tripped to a State Park...
 

We endured bug bites to see the falls in it's swollen Spring splendor...

We waded in the creek to cool our overheated feet...


But most importantly, we thanked God for those who fought to preserve our way of life. And thanked Him for those who gave it all in the name of God and Country. God Bless the USA!

Feeling Grateful ~ Kate-Lyn~