Tuesday, August 29
Today was Isabelle's first day of school.
Daddy began his 2nd year at DTS .

Isabelle's school is right across the street from DTS.
As Isabelle walked up the steps to her school she told her Daddy,
"You be safe at your school and I'll be safe at mine"
Mark went to class and Isabelle went in to meet her teacher.
She walked into the class and investigated for a minute,
then she sat down with the other children.
She said "Bye Mama".
That was it....sniff, sniff.
YEA! She is in school, she needed to go to school,
and she is so ready for school.
We picked her up aboout 1:30pm,
she didn't stop talking until 6pm.
She passed out.Mark had a great day...great classes, Professors and Chapel.
I think he liked the socializing the most.
Just like Isabelle he didn't stop talking... until he picked up his Greek text.
Then he passed out!
GIT-R-DONE!

"I was happy to be there for both of their days.
I went to chapel and registered for a class!"

Monday, August 21st
Kaitlin's first day of school.Kaitlin has a very busy year with all honors classes,
Spanish, Skills for Living and Athletics.
After dragging bags of supplies to school and fighting
with her locker, her first week was over.
Dramatic and Traumatic, yet over.
This 7th grader is a cool chic, and we
think she is very special too.

Okay, I know I might have overwhelmed you with so many pictures....but we took over 850.
I really did narrow down the selection!

We were happy to be back home and sleep in our own beds. We were not happy to be back in the heat. Seriously, the night we got home, unpacked and worked around the house a bit, I went to the store for some groceries at around 10 pm. IT WAS 103 DEGREES! Are you kidding me? NO!

We have had some great fellowship with our neighbors and fellow seminarians(?)...Michele has looked for a part time job, Mark has hit the Greek books in preparation for a tough year, Kaitlin has a great time with her friends, and Isabelle has enjoyed playing in her kitchen again!

Year #2 about to start and we are anxious to see how God will grow us this year.
Here are a few prayer requests....

• Mark would continue to learn with the fire the Holy Spirit has put in his belly!
  
• Michele would be able to find a part time job
• Kaitlin would have a successful year in 7th grade and grow spiritually
• Isabelle could have all the social and developmental growth she is longing for at her new school.
• We would have an impact in our neighborhood for Jesus.
• In all things we would glorify God.

Keep in touch with us....we love to hear your hearts, praises, prayer requests and laughter!

As we packed and started our drive home, we as a family took some time to talk about all the wonderful times we had with our family. We praised Him and thanked Him for all He had done. We were blessed through great fellowship and fun.
Makin-Memories that will last a lifetime.
Mark and I experienced old and new favorites, we shared them with our girls too.
Kaitlin experienced her favorite places, people, food and fun.
Isabelle experienced everything anew.
She made memories.
Thank you Father for the great things that you do!

_______________________________________________________________________






Thursday, August 3rd
We went to see Michele's Great Grandmother,
the evening we got back from camp.
The girls' took an opportunity to entertain.Kaitlin played the piano.

Grandma will be 99 in October.
She is still a spitfire and keeps everyone on their toes!
It is very special that the girls' get to know their
Great-Great Grandmother.
Not just the girls'....It is very special for me as well.
It is amazing to have 5 generations.

Isabelle sang and did movements.

Wednesday, August 2nd

We were sad when HaHa had to leave.
Yet, we got some great pictures....

Tuesday, August 1st













It didn't take long for us to
hit the swimming hole!
It was 98 degrees...and there
is no air conditioning in the
mountains. Just cold mountain
streams, a bridge to jump off,
rocks to dive off and shallows
to sit in and cool yourself to
the bone. Serioulsy, we were
shaking after about 30 minutes.
It didn't last long, we were
soon sweating again.

















We could spend
all day, hanging out
in this beautiful
swimming hole,
enjoying God's
creation.














As I sit here in
this blistering heat
of Texas....I would
drive the 24 hours
straight through,
to dive in and be
refreshed right here!

Tuesday, August 1st
We traveled to Northern Pennsylvania to my parents' camp.
Mark's Dad(affectionately known as HaHa) drove down from Conneticut. We had great hanging out time!

Kaitlin....keeper of the fire.
Mimi and Isabelle...say cheese.
Mark and Isabelle...swing me higher Daddy!
Ha Ha and Papa...where are the best places to hunt?

Monday, July 31st
Here we have The Triple Trouble Cousins (Alaina, Kara and Kaitlin) They had a great time this trip cramming all their favorite things in together! Theses included two sleepovers, a Hillary Duff concert in a private suite, shopping, a day at the pool, ATV riding and a day at Hershey Park! Wow!

In the picture with all the girls is Lauren and Olivia
(Isabelle talks about Olivia everyday! Because at least once a day she is wearing a hand me down from Olivia! She loves her clothing!)

Monday, July 31
Mark and my Dad had an opportunity to hit balls on the field of the Harrisburg Senators,
AA Farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates. All you can eat buffet, name on the big screen and a bag of Senators Merchandise. What a fun night for two big kids!

Monday, July 31
Today we visited Chocolate World, Hershey.
We rode the ride that tells you all about the chocolate making process, and then got our free candy. You can see below Isabelle enjoyed the whole thing!

Sunday, July 30th
The whole family went to Brunch together...
We were able to get a picture with
Grams (Nana). The girls' had a great
time having a tea party with Nana,
telling her stories and doing skits.

Saturday, July 29th
Following the afternoon by the river,
we all went back to my parents' house for a cookout.Isabelle quickly changed from swim suit to princess,
then to cowgirl princess. She jumped on this horse
my Dad made. Isabelle calls her Dixie.
Check this out...since Isabelle is allergic to horses and
she loved this ride so much,
my Dad built a special extension trailer
for our van. Dixie came back to Texas with us!
Isabelle rides everyday!

This is my Grandmother, Mom, Dad, Aunt Chris,
Aunt Elaine and Uncle Butch.

We watched a movie under the stars,
Kaitlin and my cousin Lisa had a great time
hanging out.

Kaitlin and my cousin Lisa's boys...
Tyler, Zac and Corey.

Saturday, July 29th

We were able to have a small family reunion with my Mom's family. We spent the first part of the day on the river, tubing, skipping rocks and sittling on the bank chatting. It was a great afternoon. Millersburg boasts the oldest paddle wheel ferry boat, east of the Mississippi. Sorry, no picture. Only the beauty and the fun!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH
More fun at Tobias'!
Wow! Now that is a close up look at this Tiger!

We could have left Isabelle with this deer and come back
the next day. I don't think she would have noticed!

Doesn't it make you so proud when your children make
friends in new places?

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26TH
What a fun day!
We visited Tobias' Animal Farm.
Here we are getting ready for a ride through the pasture,
where we will see the herds.
It is fun to ride in the bus without at top.
Kaitlin, Zac, Papa, Isabelle and Mimi are ready for the ride.

Isabelle, Lisa and Michele checking out the animals.

Isabelle gets to feed the llama.

Oh My Goodness! Do you see the buffalo, elk and all those steer?
Going to Tobias' was one of my favorite childhood memories.
I love watching the girls' get a kick out of this adventure!

MONDAY, JULY 24TH
We followed up the ATV riding with Horseback riding.
Kaitlin rode on Shea and Isabelle rode Dixie.
Mark took a turn a Dixie too.
Mimi and Papa love seeing their grandkid girls on top of their horse girls.Kaitlin took this opportunity to try and ride side saddle.
She missed Shea and jumped right to work with brushing and saddling.

Five Pretty Girls!

When we were finished riding, we discovered Isabelle was covered in hives.
She had 25-30 on her neck and was talking about her throat hurting.
We tried the horse thing one other day and she had the same reaction. UGH!
She is a natural, she was so comfortable with Dixie.
She rode around the ring like she had been doing it since birth.
Our prayer is that she will grow out of this allergy.

I think Isabelle wore this hat most of the time we were in Pennsylvania.
TOO CUTE!!
She is Papa's girl!

Nothing like a bald man on top of a pretty horse.
Isn't he handsome?

MONDAY, JULY 24th

Isabelle is all about "Going Faster!!!" Kaitlin is all about having her chance to drive!
Mom is all about enjoying her girls!

SUNDAY JULY 23rd
We arrived in Millersburg, Pennsylvania just in time for the Strohecker Family Renunion. We took the opportunity to take some family pictures.This is my Dad and Mom with my dad's brothers, wives and great aunt and uncle.

Getting a hug from my dad.

Wow! Here are the Strohecker Cousins(sitting) with our spouses and children.
We sure did have a great time that afternoon, I could have used a few more days to catch up with everyone!

During the last week I have been trying to post the rest of our vacation pictures for you....I have had so many difficulties and have been so frustrated. My Prince Charming saved the day!!!! I can continue to blog!!!! Enjoy the rest of the pictures! And those of you who prayed for us, give God the glory for all you see!!!

Love,
Michele

A DAY AT THE ANSWERS IN GENESIS MUSEUM IN CINCINNATI OHIO. July 22, 2006
http://www.answersingenesis.org/



The whole family loaded up and traveled to the new and upcoming Answers in Genesis Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. The museum is not open yet, however a family cousin is the head accountant there....We got a private behind the scenes tour.....Good thing Kaitlin and Adam almost got eaten.
This is the whole family at the entrance to the museum. What a fun day and what a beautiful family! Great Grandmother Locke at 89 had a great day with her children Dianne and Lynda; grandchildren, Beth, Mark(Michele) and Kate; as well as great grandchildren Kaitlin, Joshua, Adam, Isabelle and Rachel. Our tour guides Tom, Carol and Charlie were so gracious. In April of 2007 the museum is set to open, if you are in Cincinnati Ohio be sure to visit. This is a great walk through the book of Genesis....Amazing! The gospel is clearly presented through the telling of the Genesis account.
It's always nice to see a 12 year old and her Mom in a loving embrace....Don't look now she's walking away, never to be hugged in public again!
This Raptor was fully animated with movements and sounds....It was as big as the room and Isabelle truly thought it was going to eat her! As Isabelle saw this picture she said, "It was scary to me."