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Joseph was invited on a day out trip to Belton with Debbie and Elizabeth (as well as many of his school friends) so off he went... The leftover bunch, popped in to catch up on Su, Chris and Asha as we hadn't seen them since their return from Finland. After giving Daddy a lift to Heckington to pick up his van we set off to New York! Lincolnshire one of course! ;) Thank you so much to Rose who hosted a lovely BBQ, the children played really nicely and we managed to chat... A lovely evening walk with the sun setting behind the fens brought our afternoon of fun to an end. (Hoping that Rose may email me some photos for me to blog as my memory card was full)

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Bank holiday weekend @ Grapevine

What a glorious weekend weather wise!!! After the summer of rain, we were truly blessed to have such a beautiful weekend to come together and worship at Lincoln showground.
Setting up camp on the Friday evening we wondered what was in store for us.... atthew and Joseph registered for the Powerpack group (for sessions 1845-2100 and 1045-1300)as we listened to Grapevine fm, broadcasting Christian music and the Big Top main celebrations and speakers...
Isaac and Benjamin were eager to join in the Jelly Beans tent for fun (which they would do over the whole camp 1030-1300)on Saturday morning. With Only Leah to join in the Big Top celebrations we had time to listen and worship, reflect and pray...
To be amongst so many Christians is truly uplifting.... day to day life can make you fel like a minority at a times... but here... to be immersed in worship... you can feel the power of the Holy Spirit working amongst us, feeding us with the love of God....
Benjamin and Isaac joined us for the evening celebrations (one or t'other falling asleep in a buggy!) and Matthew and Joseph would make their way to us for the end when their Powerpack session had finished.
We stayed until Tuesday this year but didn't quite make it to the finale celebration.... however this year for the first time, they did a family celebration bringing together all the children's groups to have a celebration of our very own. Puppets speaking a message to the children as well songs and sketches talking about working together whilst all being different. Our two little Jelly Beans even went up on the main stage to join in "The Jelly Bean Jive"! with two rather bleary eyed proud parents looking on.

Happy Birthday to my Big sis Kaz....

I love you and wish you a lovely day!

A hectic few days....

Well the summer isn't holding on to IT'S part of the deal is it? Where's the sun? the lazy, hazy afternoons? the nightly BBQs and children desperately looking to cool down on the slip and slide or begging for ice creams?
Here we are in what appears to be a bleak mid winter time warp, wearing fleeces and using our summer fun tent as a full blown kite trying to fly down a field with children hanging on to guide ropes!
Anyway Summer isn't all about the weather (a good job too!) it's catching up with friends.... So a few days after arriving back from France we welcomed "The Ss" friends from our Fetcham days...Chaos and mayhem.... maybe but fun, fellowship and laughter abounded as the house resounded with the jolly noises of nine children and their four adults...
The children braved the tents at night until the rains dampened the girls' fun but other than a damp Sunday, we managed to catch up on sleep, reading of books, and some sightseeing; visiting
Tattershall castle
where the boys danced to a tune of their own as everyone tried on costumes...
PS: we didn't lose a child if anyone is counting! Leah was safely in the backpack so obviously wasn't "in" the photos.

Belton house
(well it's adventure playground and maze) took on the challenge to entertain and tire the brood and succeeded admirably!
No sooner had we made our sad farewells to Rob, Sarah, Holly, April, Jacob and Poppy, than another friend from early Billinghay days arrived; thanks for coming over Jo and Billy!.... The boys tent was placed inside the polytunnel for safety as with the gusts ripping the large tent we didn't want reports of three boys doing a wizard of oz and finding themselves half way down to London! Note the ingenuity of those recognising the benefit of being close to a power point.....no home comforts spared!

Today gave me just about time to take the children to the local pool and finish my book before thoughts of packing up again for our camping weekend at the Grapevine celebration at Lincoln showground... Think of us and pray for nice weather..... please?!

updated photo album

We are back...

Bleary eyed from driving through the night, happy to be back and fully rested from a lovely relaxing holiday..... Will share a little more at some point soon!

Last Saturday before school!

What a beautiful day... The children thoroughly enjoyed paddling around at the pool we then went over to the school field and helped daddy who is trying to finish the fence in time for the new term!