just as I am: Canada, Birthday, Travel

A few of these pictures are from a while back. I haven't posted any in a long time because our internet hasn't been working the greatest, but today it is...s

A few weeks ago we all drove to Canada. This is a picture of the last three rows in the van. Emily (in the back middle with a water bottle in her mouth) and I sat in the back the whole way there and back. The back is usually the most undesired place to sit (not so much air, hard to get to, the dog sits back there) but it is good because then nobody wants to steal your seat...the undesputed spot. Plus, we, both being limber, were able to crawl out over the back seat and out the back door, which made exiting much easier.

This is my whole family with Grandma, plus our exchange student Martina and Jane's boyfriend Ray. We were by Lake Okanogan near Penticton, B.C.

My grandma Boothman and I at her birthday party, which was the reason that we drove up to Canada. It was so good to see Grandma after so long, and we were also able to visit with a lot of our relatives that we haven't seen in a long time.

In the background of the above picture is my Uncle Eddie. Uncle Eddie is married to my Aunt Sandi. They live up not far from the border and had all of us to stay a couple of nights at their beautiful place. Not only did they let us use there house they fed us too! Feeding 18 people is no easy feat, but they did it with style and ease and the food was delicious! Thanks!

Our time with our cousins and aunts and uncles was really enjoyable and the trip up and back from Canada was also really great. I was deeply struck by the utter difference that Jesus makes in a family. Jesus is the answer.

On the way home we stopped by Dry Falls, Chief Joseph Dam park, and the view to Grand Coulee Dam. It took a long time to get home, but everyone was in pretty good spirits and Emily and I were groovin' in the back, so it fun!

Then the following week Sarah and I had our birthdays (that's my birthday crown. Sarah and I each got one from Mercy and Charity to wear at our party.) Carrie, my cousin, made these super cool-looking cakes, and they tasted good too! We had corn on the cob, salad, and BBQ for my birthday, plus I got some cool presents like Sea-salt Almonds, Herbal Essence conditioner and hair gel, a relaxation eye-mask, a great necklace from my mom, a pair of earings from Mercy--which I'm wearing in the picture with Ana below--and a Border's giftcard.

On Friday I drove over to Pullman for the market, met Tim at the airport with Mrs. and Mr. M (!), and then baked bread for the highland games with Tim at our house in Pullman...

I'm leaving out lots of cool details for the sake of time, but Tim has a great post on his blog about the highland games...

Anyway, I had a great little birthday dinner at the Marston's after church on Sunday and got some cool gifts (which I wasn't expecting! Thanks so much!) and had a great time with them. Mrs. M made a delicious peach pie, it was wonderful.

I stayed in Pullman until Wednesday and, praise the Lord, was able to get my writing portfolio all turned in. That's great.

Ana and I then drove back from Pullman together and these pictures are from the drive home.

There is a lot of wilderness between Pullman and Yakima. A lot of dry, desolate land. I think we followed this speeding semi for many miles.

Between Washtucna and Othello, near Marcellus Rd.--for those of you who know where that is-- Ana and I pulled over to take some pictures. The sun was bright and the wind was blowing.

Ana and lots of wilderness extending behind her...

Ana and I again in colour...

This is what a large portion of the landscape looks like. It has it's own sort of desert beauty and when the sky is blue the yellows and browns contrast nicely. There are also lots these desert bushes that turn yellow on the tips and this kind of year...