Moments to cherish

What a full weekend of delight we had!  A wedding took up a lot of time with rehearsal and the actual wedding at the end of the week, and then we went right into the rest of the weekend with fun with our family.  Two dear friends of ours got married on Friday evening.  It was a beautiful evening for it and such a lovely place to be married and to celebrate this special time.  Jonathon and I sang during the ceremony and during the reception, so we were glad to be a part in this way.  Alegra was able to be one of the photographers to get some practice with wedding photography.  She learned a lot and got more ideas of what to do and not do.   Most of these pictures are her's.       

On Saturday we decided to take a family day and stay closer to home.  After a lazy day of playing with the dog and just enjoying the rainy day, the wet weather cleared, and we headed to David Roger's Park for the country fair.  We always enjoy the old fashioned games and crafts and hanging out with our friends who do blacksmithing there.  It's a slow paced time where we can just sit around and watch good entertainment done the old way.  This year was especially fun as another family joined up with us and added to the festivities with their participation.

 The girls love making baskets.

 There are always fun contests for children and adults.  Our children aren't into the contests (maybe one day they will be), but Jonathon and I participated in the quick draw, gun shooting contest.  Cattle Girl (aka me) won in the adult division and then had to prove my quickness by going against the Lone Ranger.  I beat him too.  :)  I won an amazing Gold Cap Gun that Benaiah is quite fond of.

Then onto the pie eating contest.  Our friends two boys were selected to participate and boy did they make it a lot more fun to watch.  Ian and Micah did a great job chowing down on that pie!  I probably took way too many pictures, but I just couldn't resist all their facial expressions and mouths full of pie!

 The contestants and their pie.

 Ready, GO!

 They had 7 minutes to eat as much as they could.

 No hands allowed.

  Only their faces.

 The crowd cheered and laughed with enjoyment.

 A proud dad getting the amazing eater on camera.

 It was epic.

 No, he didn't eat the pie pan.

 Holding up the pies to see how everyone did.

 Noticing Ian's pie is gone, except a few crumbs on the table!

 Pronouncing the winner!  

 And the first to eat the whole pie!

 After the pie eating we watched Punch and Judy, a puppet show, then headed back up to tghe stage to listen to the music and do some square dancing.

 We all participated and got a chance to learn some new things and just enjoy being outside with friends.  Those simple moments just can't be beat at times.

Sometimes we have to sit back and remember what life used to be like for people.  When we visit David Rogers Park, we often wonder what it was like to live in community and have neighbors that you were in fellowship with on a daily basis.  Our family would love to live back in those times of working hard on farms, living closely with neighbors, and helping each other out when there's a need.  It seems like it would be a harder life, but seems like it would be so much more fulfilling than the fast paced day we live in now.

We sure try to keep our children focused on the little things, the things that really affect people's hearts and encourage others for good.  We try to not get caught up in fast paced activities that keep our family constantly on the go.  We try to do more things that revolve around nature, music, and hands on activities.

Slow down.  Smell the fresh air.  

Take in the views that are around you.  

Drink some lemonade and have a sweet treat with a neigbor. 

 Lend a hand and offer some words of encouragement.

Enjoy the simple things.