It was such a fun week! On Thursday, my sister and I went over to a friend's house to spend the night. That day, we also drove out to Houghton, NY to pick up one of our friends(who's house we were spending the night at) from her college. She showed us around her campus, introduced us to her college buddies, and we ate dinner with her in the cafeteria. Then on Friday, my sister and I had to get up at 4 a.m. to get ready to head out to Indiana with the groom's family. The drive out there was about 5-6 hours long and we took a few rest stops along the way. We finally made it to Indiana around 11:30 a.m. and had to get ready for the rehearsal dinner that afternoon. For the rehearsal dinner we had pizza, chips, cookies, and brownies! It was yummy! After the rehearsal, the bride took my sister, a bride's maid, and me to her house for a bachelorette party. All of the bride's maids were at her house and some of us put the groom'smen's boutonnieres together as well as the bride'smaids' bouquets and the bride's bouquet. They all turned out to be beautiful! After the bachelorette party, my sister and I went back to the house we were staying at and had dinner and then went to bed a little while after that. Now on to Saturday, the day of the wedding! It had rained during the night, but by the morning it was beautiful outside with a blue sky and white clouds! We got up, ate breakfast, showered, got our wedding clothes on, put on makeup, fixed our hair, and then waited for the groom's dad to arrive from New York. When he arrived, he ate some lunch and then got into his suit. We then left for the wedding! The wedding was country/western themed so the wedding was in a red, round barn! The wedding was very beautiful and fun! The whole bridal party looked nice and the decorations were cute and elegant! After the reception the bride and groom cut the cake and then they started to serve dessert! After the dessert, the father/daughter dance started. I didn't even finish all of my dessert because next was barn/square/group dancing! It was really fun!!!!!!! I'm going to put up some pictures and describe some things in more detail. But anyway, after the wedding we helped clean up and then our little homeschool group got together at a capsite(where some of my friends were staying at) and played ultimate frisbee(which I did terrible at :P ) and we roasted hotdogs and marshmallows over a fire. Despite the fact that I didn't play frisbee well or that I flung my roasted marshmallow on the grass, I still had a fun time with my friends! After the homeschool get-together, we all went to our sleeping places to get some sleep before the long ride home the next day. It was a very fun week and I am so glad that I got to do some fun, exciting, out-of-the-ordinary things! A sweet couple is now happily married and i'm sure they are going to enjoy their life together! Here are some pictures of my trip! You can click on them to make them bigger! Enjoy!
On the way to Houghton College! Left-Right: Annetta, Lydia, and me
Lydia
Annetta
Me
My sister, Kimberlynne
Us being goofy!
Lydia is good with hair, so she did Annetta and my hair before we got to Houghton!
This is the waterfall braid on Annetta!
A fish tail braid on me.
The waterfall braid on me.
This is inside the round barn(where the wedding ceremony was). This is looking up at the ceiling.
Inside the barn was decorated with flowers, lights, and white tulle.
The bags/programs that had lavender in them to throw on the bride and groom.
Outside at the wedding reception. Isn't it beautiful weather?
The round barn!
A center piece of baby's breath. The pen and paper were for people to leave a note for the bride and groom.
Baby's breath.
Reception tables
The cake for the bride and groom to cut.
The dessert table.
The bride and groom!!!
The bridal party (minus one guy because he was giving his speech).
Bride and groom listening to one of the groom's men give his speech.
My brother, Jonathan, giving a speech to the groom.
The bride and groom's first dance!
The father/daughter dance. (Thank you Annetta for getting some father/daughter dance pics!)
Me and my sister!
On the way home to New York! Good-bye Indiana!
A Cleveland, OH sign!
I went crazy on the picture-taking in Cleveland! I like the big buildings!
The Cleveland Indians stadium.
An old water tower. (my dad said that's what it is)
This was painted on one of the buildings!
An Erie, PA sign!!!
A windmill
Me and some of my siblings! Left-Right: Kim, Jonathan, Andrew, and me.
Well, tonight my sister and I are hosting a Pampered Chef party for our sister-in-law. We have been cleaning and baking lately for the party! We made some yummy things and decorated some of the house with fall decor. We hope that a lot of ladies show up; it is going to be a fun time! Also, one of our homeschool friends is getting married this Saturday! The wedding is Indiana and since that is a ways away from Ny, our whole family can't go. But, Jon, one of my brothers, is going to be in the wedding. So he and Andrew, another one of my brothers, are going to hitch a ride with another one of the groom's men and his brother. My sister and I are going to be riding along with the groom's family to the wedding. Thursday, my sister and I are going to spend the day and night at our friend's house because they live really close to the groom's family. Then, early Friday morning, my sister and I will go over to the groom's family's house and head out for Indiana! We are going to arrive in Indiana around noon, I think, and the rehearsal dinner will be sometime that afternoon! Then, Saturday will be the wedding and the reception(at which there will be square dancing!!!!). We will then leave for home on Sunday morning. It should be a fun time! Tomorrow I am going to pack for the trip. We also have an English/Scottish Country dance class tomorrow so that we can have some extra practice for the dancing at the wedding! Anyway, hope all of you have a great week! And i'll see some of you soon! :) <3 Rachel
Hey ya'll! I know it's been a long time since you've seen a post from me so, i'm just going to share a smattering of what i've been up to lately and hopefully you'll enjoy! Here goes...
Well, starting in July sometime, I, along with Kim, Jon, and Andrew, have been going to dance classes every other week. A sweet friend that we know has been teaching us, and several of our young adult friends, how to do English and Scottish Country dances!!! We have had three classes already and we learn(or attempt) new dances every class. We always have fun and i'm thankful that we get to do this activity! Maybe sometime I can put up pictures of us doing the dances!
Also, my oldest brother, his wife, and their baby moved up here from Texas last month! So, instead of them having to rush around to see everyone within a 1-2 week period before heading back to TX, they can relax, take their time, and come over to our house at random times. We all have enjoyed getting to see, play, kiss, and spend time with Liam! He is so cute and his mom and dad love him to pieces! When he comes over to our house, there are many people (2 aunts, 6 uncles, and his Grandpa and Grandma Young) who want to hold him and play with him!
The little cutie himself!
This summer i've been doing some odd jobs. I cleaned an elderly lady's house; my dad was working at her house while I cleaned it. My sister and I also helped out at the Farman Free Library's pie booth in the park while a local band played for the townspeople. On August 3rd, I think, was one of the Ellington Town Picnic days. Kim was able to help in the library's pie booth and I was able to help in a hotdog/hamburger stand! It was fun!
Today, mom had to run some errands, so Kim and I stayed home with Noah and Isaiah. We made some chocolate drop cookies that were yummy! ;) We let the boys pour some of the ingredients into the bowl and they also got to lick the electric mixer beaters!
Noah and Isaiah!
On a more serious note, today I was thinking about how I want to be used by God. There is nothing better that I could be doing in this life than doing God's will and making an eternal impact on this earth. But I sit around like I have all the time in the world. Like I can get serious some other time. I have no guaranty of my next breath, let alone days, months, or even years! God is just waiting for me to let go in total abandon and do the uncomfortable, amazing, fulfilling things that He has for me. I want to find out what he wants me to do. I'm done with school; now what? One thing's for sure, He doesn't want me to be lazy or mope about things that aren't that important. Anyway, if you're still reading this, thanks! Also, if any of you have a piece of advice from a similar situation, don't hesitate to speak up!
Thank you for reading my post and I hope to see you soon! :)
Yesterday, dad decided to take us all on a drive. We stopped to get ice(for the cooler), pop, chips, chocolate chip cookies, and Little Caesar's pizza!!!!!!! But, before we could even eat the pizza, we drove around for a little while. We finally ended up at the Stow Ferry in Bemus Point, which takes you across Chautauqua lake! We don't usually cross this way! We drove onto the ferry and were able to get out of the van and look over the railing of the ferry! It was fun! When we got to the other side of the lake, we had to find a place to park so that we could picnic at the Bemus Point park. However, there were festivities going on, so finding a place to park was not too easy. We did find a parking spot and some picnic tables(we had to have two tables). We ate our yummy meal and then went to the mall, Dollar Tree, and Walmart. When we got home, Matt, Arielle, and Liam were at our house! We had dinner with them and laughed, talked, played/acted goofy with Liam, and did various things for hours! My little nephew is soooo cute and this post is not going to get away without a picture of him!! Anyway, we all had fun! Hope you all are doing good! :) <3 Rachel
Yesterday was my graduation party!! The weather turned out to be pretty nice- it was warm with a breeze at times! The food was yummy and the guests enjoyed it as well! A lot of people came to show their support! Thank you everyone for coming and making it a fun time!! : ) <3 Here are some pictures of the day! :)
One of the decorations!
Before everyone got there
Kids playing on the playground(some of my brothers are in the pic).
A cooler of macaroni and potato salad!
Chips, veggies, and dip!
Chicken wing dip
Drinks
Baked beans, pulled pork, and meatballs with spaghetti sauce
Today is Lacy and Daphney's first birthday!! So, today I cut up some carrots for the goats and put them, along with some grapes, in a bowl. Lace and Daph also got some extra goat food! They really like that stuff! I wasn't spoiling them or anything! :) hehe It is an occasion to celebrate! Happy Birthday baby girls!! Love ya! :)
