Second evening with Ruanes

Yesterday we drove them through a tour of Lansing and East Lansing, and visited the Transportation Museum. Then we cooked a sausage and stuffed acorn dinner, and played a couple of Brazilian games.

Ruanes' visit

John and Mary are driving home from Cleveland and stopped or the weekend with us. They will take the Muskegon ferry on Monday and head to SD. I made Friday vegetarian pizzas with items from the garden! 

Baby Rebecca

 We got to spend time with baby Rebecca B. and the girls were enchanted!

A wonderful visit from cousins!

Cousin Amy with husband Jason came for a visit on their way to the Black Hills. They spent two days with us and did DeSmet on Saturday, taking Number Seven with them. We were sorry to see them leave early today. What a wonderful family, playful and well-behaved little boys! We had pleasant meals and conversations together and the weather couldn't have been better!

We have moved to Narnia

Come visit anytime, but make sure to bring Aslan.

Home for Christmas

They are both home!

Number One has updated his blog and promises more.

Number Two dove right into her usual Christmas activities: displaying the cards that pour into our mail box daily and helping Husband decide and choose a Christmas tree.

I bake and I smile in the kitchen as I hear the conversations and games.

Cousins

The girls enjoyed a fun day together!

Grandpa Tom's flowers

How very nice to enjoy being outside amidst blooming flowers!

Our important visitor...

...was our dear Fr. P. M., the author of this beautiful new book, coming out on the feast of the Assumption.

He loved the pie so much that we made another one the next day...

We had the most wonderful time with him!

Georgeanne and Emma

Thank you for your visit!

On the Second Joyful Mystery

One of the reason I love Saturdays (besides having Husband around to do the stuff outside I am not capable of doing) is the Joyful mysteries. This summer of a constant stream of company is so wonderful--and the mystery of the Visitation always brings to mind the importance and sacramental aspect of Christian hospitality.

The Visitation shows us the Blessed Mother dropping everything to go visit a relative--and her cousin Isabel (her real name) receiving her, so honored, so humble, is a model of how we should receive the person of Christ in every visitor who knocks at our door. I love the image of their encounter!

May we receive our visitors: friends, relatives, the UPS man, the mailman or the stranger who comes to pick up his lost dog, with the same humility and joy! May we bring the heart of Christian hospitality to all who step on our home ground.

Rosary by Dakota Rosary Works

Last night's play

"The Little Girl and the Hippie", put out by Numbers Six and Seven, technical assistance by Number Five and friend E. R.

The expertise of campfire-building

We were delighted to have Number One's friend from High School days Brian M., and Eagle Scout, with us last night. He gave us a demonstration of how to build a campfire--here it is in 4 shots!

Our Fourth...

Number One with his friend Michael E., and Number Seven enjoying our backyard festivities.