Where do I even begin?

Seems I owe anyone still checking this blog another apology... my last entry was 9 months ago when Matt was on his way to the first day of First Grade at Smithfield Elementary School.  So much has happened... I will do my best to catch us up to speed month by month...

First Grader Alert!!

Matt is officially a First Grader at Smithfield Elementary School. His teacher is Mrs. Kleiboer  (rhymes with My Boar) 

Reed Gold Mine

This Summer we visited the Reed Gold Mine - a national historical site. They give free tours and for $3 you can mine a pan of rock.

Matt was selected to demonstrate how the holes for explosives were cut into the rock.

LOVE WEEK at Elevation Church

Every year, our church puts on LOVE WEEK. Thousands of people volunteer for hundreds of charitable organizations all over - local, state, national and international.
One of the charities we worked on was BLESS BACK - they provide snack packs to homeless children and nutritional meal packs for Third World nations.
In the photos below, Matt and Aunt Kristin are working on the meal packs (villagers just add water and one bag feeds 6 people); Matt is "running" empty buckets to the back for extra rice (for the meals); Matt is standing in front of groceries that go in the snack packs for local homeless children & the volunteers are praying over the boxes of food we prepared.

Superhero Day at VBS

Matt spent most of the Summer in science camps and VBS events. One of his favorite camps had a Superhero Day. Abi (from preschool) attended the same camp. :)
She was "Power Princess" (her own creation) and Matt was Iron Man

Went Riding!

We went for a horseback riding lesson with our friend Katy. Matt had a really good time. He had a lesson, went on a trail ride and then helped clean the horse.

Summer BBQ

We attended a BBQ with some friends this Summer - the kids had fun! Getting a group shot was a challenge, but we managed it! L-R: Jana (Harbour's Mom), Caedman, Harbour, Millie, Nori, Matt, Justice, Banner and Keean.