Three Generations, One Big Adventure!

Saturday, Sunday, Monday.  Three days.  Three generations.  You're invited along for the ride, but it involves swords, spaghetti, volcanoes, and a Bigfoot sighting, so come at your own risk! 

Micah means business...

...and so did Mikaela when she wielded an almost equally as fierce blade to chop all these pounds of carrots!

Grandma, Papa's mom, looks quite cheery as she washes dishes with a servant's heart...

...and all these gentlemen look equally as cheery as they celebrate Micah's entrance into manhood: his thirteenth birthday!  Each one of these men, young and old, have had an impact on Micah's life, and they gathered from near and far to encourage and exhort Micah as he becomes a man of God.  We served dinner and dessert on the lawn.  Outside, peace and quiet reigned and we girls felt outnumbered...

...but inside, this snapshot of chaos gives you an idea of the hustle and bustle that was going on!  Grandma and one other dear friend helped us serve the meal, and we definitely needed every one of the seven pairs of hands enlisted! 

Each of the men shared a word of exhortation to Micah--precious wisdom that he cherishes. 

The men gathered to lay hands on and pray for Micah. 

Micah closed the evening by sharing thoughts of gratitude to each of the attendees.  He carefully planned and spoke these words out of thankfulness to all these men and young men have done for him. 

Micah, Jonah, and "the gang" (which includes Darcy the furball, of course!)

The next day was Mother's Day, and we were thrilled to have Grandma and Grandpa with us on that day of celebration!  We took Grandma and Grandpa to the lilac gardens near us, and Mama snapped a picture of all of us beneath the giant wisteria.  (I couldn't resist the 60s filter on Picasa, by the way!)

While we were there, a group of Renaissance Madrigal singers serenaded us with their delightful a capella selections! 

Jonah on the left, Grandma and Mama on the right.

After a hearty lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory, we drove out to the grist mill that we love to go to on Mother's Day and enjoyed showing Grandma and Grandpa around!  It is so peaceful and beautiful there, but you have to speak up over the roaring water!

Jonah and Micah: Who's king of the hill?

 

Planting a smooch on Grandma, then giggling! 

 Aren't Susanna and Micah adorable? 

Melanie on the bridge

 On Monday, we decided to take Grandma and Grandpa up to Mt. St. Helens, since it had been awhile since any of us had gone.  The day was gorgeous, and we could see the mountain all along the drive up.  This is remarkable, you must understand, because it is usually shrouded in clouds. 

 Micah and Grandpa take in the scenery. 

We stopped at the Seven Wonders museum on the way up, a new experience for all of us.  This museum was incredible!  Run by an older Christian couple, it offers a creationist perspective on the volcano.  (You remembered that today is the 32nd anniversary, right?  I thought so!)  Mr. A. gave us an hour long slideshow presentation that was fascinating and extremely well done.  We learned all of the different proofs that Mt. St. Helens offers for creation, and much more about the volcano than we had ever known before! 

This scenic spot called our names for a picnic lunch!

 

 Of course, when it's 84 degrees outside, doesn't everyone stop by the side of the road and go sledding?  Sunscreen and snowboots--what could be better?

 What about a fierce snowball fight?  I'm afraid some of us ganged up on Grandpa, and he threatened to feed me to the chickens!  (-: 

The crater of the mountain. 

I can't tell you how powerful it is to see the volcano and all the surrounding landscape.  Some of the land around looks beautiful and pristine, but in other areas you can still see bare logs scattered like matchsticks, leftover from that day 32 years ago.  Some of the land is barren, and the very strangeness of it is provocative of memories.  My parents clearly remember the sun going dark in the middle of the day and the ash covering the streets like snow.  My mom was babysitting at the time, and her first thought was that the Lord had returned.  When she heard her mom's voice on the phone, however, she breathed a sigh of relief.  If God had come back, she knew her mom would not still be on the earth. 

The rivers were so backed up by the ash that the road that we now live on was flooded by the small creek that runs next to it.  No one could drive the road for two weeks afterwards.  Stories like these abound in Washington, and yet God's mercy can still be seen in the destruction.

 A beautiful view of Coldwater Lake, which was created 32 years ago by the volcano.  (A tidbit for some of you: yes, there is a Coldwater Creek that runs off of this lake!)

 This A-frame house was a few days away from being finished when the mountain blew and it was buried and flooded by the mudflows.  It was a total loss. 

 And who says Bigfoot doesn't exist?  My brave brothers don't seem much daunted, however!

It was a weekend of hard work, belly laughs, off-key singing, delicious food, and wonderful conversation.  What could be better?  Now I want to hear how you spent your Mother's Day, and any stories you may have to share about Mt. St. Helens!