Our Week at Blue Gable

Some of you may remember reading about the last time we were at Blue Gable. It was the year 2007, and it was a wonderful time! I thought for sure we'd go back (as we had almost every year) around Labor Day weekend since 2002. Little did I know that was the last time there with our ever expanding Mathew family.

When we were offered to stay at Blue Gable this year as guests of the owners, we jumped at the offer! What an amazing blessing it was! This was the first time (except for the occasional overnight camping trip) that we had ever gone on a vacation together as just the five of us. I guess it wasn't as much of a vacation for Josh. New Tribes was already back into full swing, and he went back during the day for ministry, and traveled back about an hour to spend the evenings with us.

Except for the Josh traveling part, this was the BEST vacation I could have ever asked for. The girls spent their days riding bikes, jumping off docks, fishing, doing crafts, and just plain having fun. I read a total of three novels (THREE!!!), and enjoyed doing some writing, fishing, and a whole lot of sun bathing. We even made a trip to town to one of my favorite coffee shops, found an awesome Mexican restaurant that served incredible fish tacos, and had a tour of a dairy farm, complete with free ice cream!

We made memories that week that will last a lifetime. It was an amazing gift from God to have this peaceful, quiet time away, and I am so thankful.

I painted the girls' finger nails and toe nails.

Sisters and friends!

Fishing with Daddy is always fun!

Emma got the biggest fish that week!

Incredible sunrises on Marble Lake. I liked to go fishing in the mornings with Josh before he would head out. This was the view pretty much every morning.

View of the cottage from the beach.

My favorite spot, and where I spent a lot of time! If I wasn't at the lake, I was here. :)

Blue Gable is one of my favorite places in the world!

Marble Lake also boasts amazing sunsets.

Soccer, or Sock Her?

Emma is playing soccer this fall. Her first game was today and we were so excited getting out the door that I totally forgot the camera. :( It was a great day for a game. It was warmer than any game she had last year, and it was supposed to rain, but it stayed dry. I was glad for that. It's no fun to stand in the rain, although I hear it is fun to play in the rain.

The game went without too much excitement. Their team, the blue jays, won 3-2! There was one noted difference in this game from years past. Some how the soccer ball hit Emma in the face. It knocked her glasses off, and she was pretty stunned. She was more upset that they took her out of the game than the huge welt that was growing on her face! She was very happy they let her back in. I haven't figured out if she just didn't see it coming or went in for a header or what. I'm just glad she didn't break her glasses, or something even more important, like her nose! Not exactly what we meant by keeping her head in the game. That girl is so literal. :)

As I said before, I forgot my camera, but I took this one with my phone.

Can you see the soccer ball imprint?

Back to School

Okay, so I totally realize that I haven't blogged in over a month. I am a blogging failure. :(

In attempt to get back on here (hopefully more regularly too!) I wanted to at least share a bit of our life.

September 6th was the girls first day of school. Emma is now in third grade, and Josie is in first. Addie is going to preschool for three days a week as well.

It was a gloomy morning the first day, but luckily their moods did not match! They were excited to go!

Here is a picture of them all dressed and ready to go. They are all growing so fast!