Festivities!

We had a busy weekend! On the 3rd we helped friends move, went to a neighbor's birthday party, and had some folks over for a BBQ dinner! But no pictures. On the 4th after church and lunch we went out to our local Pioneer Museum where they had some Civil War Re-enactors with a live cannon demonstration, as well as the actual museum and adjoining old cabins that contained a lot of interesting local history.

Peter got to hold the swords as well as the pistols.

This soldier showed us all the different steps they had to take before even shooting the cannon.

Logging was a huge industry in Flagstaff for a long time. Yes, Elijah's shorts were unbuttoned the entire day.

These wheels were used to haul trees.

The museum has a room designated for kids to play in- definitely the highlight of the trip. :) Lots of dress up stuff and old fashioned toys.

The Vaughans joined us toward the end and we showed them the caboose, which also was very interesting (the inside still had seats, a bathroom, old telephone, etc.)

The girls seemed to enjoy their rides.

Today, the 5th, we hauled our family out to Fort Tuthill Military Museum where the 108th Army Band of the AZ National Guard treated us with some really great music, including Michael W. Smith's Freedom. For some reason this whole weekend, every time I tried to sing our Star Spangled Banner I would choke up, thinking about where we once were as a nation spiritually and where we are now. I feel God's patience to a much greater extent I think. Anyway, unfortunately the kids' interest lasted all of about 30 seconds. Elijah was more whiny than I have ever heard him, and that's saying a lot. The twins were also ticked off at being stuck in the stroller, so my amazing man took them for a stroll and the bigger kids took turns going with him. Oh yes, as soon as we got to the parking lot, Anne jumped out the back of the van and tripped, hitting her head on the stroller (I'm glad it wasn't the asphalt!), leaving her with a big knot on her forehead. Anyway, moral of the story...next time we'll find a babysitter and enjoy ourselves!

Shortly before leaving for aforementioned activity, I discovered the twins had found an ink pad and had properly inked themselves as well as the floor. Their new nickname...The Monsters Ink.

Tirzah says "Who, ME?"