Well, here's the delinquent, once again, here to try to catch up on the last 2 months of doings. I'll try to do it in chunks over the next few days so it's not too much at once. Sorry, Gram, that I'm so long between posts. It's been a physically draining couple of months!

It looks like I had about 2 weeks of "normal" life in September after coming back from South Carolina. Then we were off again. Some time in those 2 weeks, I realized that Beth had requested a Christmas Quilt, so I figured I'd better get going to get it done for her birthday. I chose a pattern I thought she would like and then attempted to get the top pieced before our next trip. I like to do my hand quilting when we're travelling. (You saw the quilt when we visited you after this, Gram) Well. . . what had looked to be a simple quilt ended up alot of work. It was made of one simple square,


but I just didn't take in just how many pieces it actually was! I didn't get to finish piecing it before our trip, but I took it with me. We went to Arizona to the Marley's for Chris' ordination. He was one of our graduates this past Spring. We stayed with his Mom & Dad and while the men were away all day Saturday, his Mom, Linda, and I sewed. I got alot more done on the top, but still didn't finish!
We had a nice ordination service on Sunday:

Jim gave one of the charges


Laying on of Hands


Leah & Chris Marley


Leah & Chris and Linda & Chris


and we were glad to also see Rob and Chrissy Cosby and their new baby Keira. Rob was also one of our graduates this Spring.


We drove home Sunday night and were home for 3 days and then took off again - this time for Maine. Once again, I was determined to get Beth's quilt pieced so I could take it and start quilting. I stayed up till Midnight, I think, the night before we left and managed to get it pieced. So I was able to take it with me and got started on the quilting. We had a quick stop in Worcester before and after our drive up to Maine. In Maine, Jim preached for a church's weekend conference. We stayed with a couple from the church.
This was their house - an old farmhouse


and this was our room - VERY New England! ! !


We enjoyed our time with the people there and even took in a small town Apple Festival on Sat. afternoon. On the way home, we just HAD to stop at Hodgies! Incredibly, Jim was very self controlled and didn't get a thing!


I got a "Half Kiddie"


That ended our September. Stay tuned for October!

Yep, I'm travelling again!  Came to Nate & Jenn's to help with the new baby, Matthew Fenway.  (Born 7/31 while we were in NZ - 7lbs.12oz., 19 1/2 ")  I arrived on Tues evening the 18th and we've pretty much been laying low.  Wed. Matthew had an appt. with the Pediatrician.  He was 8 lbs., 1 oz.  and 21 1/2 inches ( probably he was measured inacurately at birth - I don't think he's grown 2" already).  Thursday we had an exciting trip to Costco and, thanks to Jenn, I made a wonderful discovery - how have I missed this all these years?  Costco has these AMAZING chocolate covered Ice Creams at their Lunch Counter.  They dip the Vanilla Ice Cream in the melted chocolate when you order it and, if you want, roll it in ALMONDS.  The chocolate is amazing and the whole thing is so substantial - the thing is actually heavy!  AND it's only $1.50.  YUM! ! !


At any rate, what you really want is pictures of everybody here, so here goes:

Matthew Fenway

He likes to scowl ALOT!

And HATES his bath - can you believe that Uncle Sammy? ? ? ?

Allison, on the other hand, LOVED his bath!  Notice the wall behind her!


Allison is very gentle with him and loves to give him kisses.
Jenn with Allison and Matthew

Allie loves her Daddy

Allie, Nate & Jenn

Allison!

ENJOY!

SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, AUGUST 9TH-11TH
Sunday we had a nice Lord's Day with the people in Hamilton.  Dad preached in the morning and Pastor Marshall preached in the Evening.  We had a nice quiet Sunday afternoon with Penny and John and in the evening Susie was able to go to her friend's house for a visit.
This was Ruth and Susie in 2006

and now in 2009

One of Susie's favorite things about coming to the McClennans is being with their dog Ollie.


On Monday, John & Penny took us for a drive to Mt. Maunganui for a little exercise.
This is our approach

Up we go

And sights along the way

A stile!

A rest at the top

A pretty view - the sun was peeking thru the clouds and shining on the water

Sus at the top

John, Penny, Dad and Sus

And back down we go

More pretty sun on the water

Sheep grazing near the shore below


We had a nice lunch in the town and then headed home.  On the way, we passed thru here

We hated to pass it up this time, but we saw it last time we were in NZ and had so little time on this visit.  We also weren't sure if the site was open since work has begun to prepare for the Hobbit movie.

In the evening Susie went with Ruth to Calvinettes  (the same Girls' club she goes to in Escondido called GEMS -  the group there will soon be changing their name to GEMS as well.)  And Dad and I packed up to go.

One last thing, I thought I'd put in maps of where we went.  (If you click on the maps, I think you'll get a larger version)  We started on the South Island at Christchurch, went West across the Island, then South, and back North to Christchurch again.  From there, we headed North and ferried up to the North Island.

On the North Island, we stayed in Palmerston North for a week and pretty much followed a straight route North and finally flew out of Auckland.  We originally flew into Auckland, but took a connecting flight to Christchurch.

Our trip home was nice and uneventful.  We were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves in Premium Coach and don't know how we managed that - especially because Sus and I were flying with frequent flyer miles.  There was no difference in service, but the seats were wider - almost as wide as Domestic First Class - they had Footrests, and the rows were further apart.  It was much more comfortable!  Pastor Chris Beamer came and picked us up in LA and, after dropping him off at his house, we headed back to Escondido.  It was very difficult staying awake all day and we happily dropped into bed around 8PM (this was 3PM the next day to our bodies!)  It was a very nice trip, but we are certainly glad to be home again