A Family Scrapbook

In one week our summer will come to an end, and the girls will begin 2nd and 4th Grade-

their third school year in Illinois. Hard to believe.

Everyone is ready for school, and the cooling Chicago temperatures are a harbinger of fall days to come.  But the summer has been rich with blessing, space, and most importantly- family.  

Below are some snapshots, mostly taken with iPhones or the children's cameras, 

of some of our dear ones.  

The summer began at Folly Beach, SC. 

In a house that sat on a tiny strip of island we looked out over the marsh from the back deck and the Atlantic Ocean from the front porch.  Ooo... I love the Carolina low country.

Nana (my Mom) and Eleanor doing Crossword Puzzles on the beach

Mom, Clay, Jane, & Esther- 4/5 Whitman sisters extraordinaire

Clay, Jane, & Rynn @ Crab Shack

Nana Gettin' Crabby

Aunt Esther and my girls Jumping waves in the Atlantic

Beachin' It

Bubbles in Atlanta with Zelda

Later in the summer the adventures continued in Colorado.

We drove the 17+ hours to Ft. Collins to visit 

with the Littles and then on to Steamboat.

My Dad drove down from Montana to meet us in Steamboat for a few days.

Terry and Cathy joined us as well.

Jason, Cathy, & the girls at Strawberry Hot Springs near Steamboat

The whole gang

But the fun didn't end in Colorado.  

The day after we pulled back into Chicago,

 Kyle and Gretchen arrived for a quick visit.

Can you spot us all? 

Kyle, Gretchen, Jason, Me, & the Girls at "The Bean"

My Sweet Beloved who has been pretty darn amazing this summer
as a pastor, Daddy, and friend.

 We have much for which to be thankful. We can't go at this journey alone. 

 As I put this blog together I realize it is no accident that, in what has been one of the most challenging seasons of ministry we've ever faced, we have seen more family than we ever imagined. God is taking care of us.  We love you family!