#1 Cubs Fan

The highlight of Greg's summer was going to Chicago and touring Wrigley Field. We actually all had a great time. And now that the Cubs have won the National League Central Division, we thought it would be a good time to share our pictures of our trip. We took geeky, tourist pictures and had a ball doing it. So did everyone else on the tour!
Click on this picture to see what the monument says. This is the famous Ernie Banks.
Greg took much delight in putting his hat where the players kept theirs!
Again, he took much delight in drinking from the player's fountain. He was
living in a dream world. He was really cute to watch.
The Trout family sitting in the dugout.
Greg "pretending" to call the bullpen for a new pitcher. Like I said, geeky, tourist pictures!
While we were there, the grounds crew was getting the field ready for the day's game against the Reds. One of their hoses got caught on something and Greg helped them untangle it. Now he can say he help the grounds crew at Wrigley Field! He was definitely in his element.
Sitting on the bench seats in the outfield.
We got to sit in the press box where all the reporters sit. While we were there, one of the phones rang and another tourist answered it. It was a credit card company - how funny is that.
View from the top
The tour was almost as good as going to a game. We tried to get tickets but they
were $100 a piece. Now Greg has major league dreams!

Hurricane Winds

We have a lot to be thankful for this week. I don't know if you heard but we were hit with Hurricane Ike winds last Sunday. Power has been out all over the area for a good part of the week. Schools were out, trees were blown over - it was crazy. We never lost power, but we didn't have internet service, cable, or telephones - you know, the necessities of life. I found out that as much as I enjoy those things, they have become major distractions. It was nice to actually play games again, (Mall Madness was my personal favorite this time, not Monopoly. I enjoyed spending money more than I did investing - what does that tell you except that it's a good thing Greg is in charge of the investing and saving! Is this a Rutherford trait?!) talk, catch up on housework, bake, quilt, and scrapbook. I got so much done. For 6 days it seemed like we were in a time warp. Kim and Nathaniel didn't have power until Wednesday evening so Kim stayed with us while Nathaniel was at work. Almost everything is back to normal but it really made us feel for the people who were hit directly with the hurricane. We had 75 mile an hour winds here for about 8 hours. I can't imagine being in Texas. Anyway, we are so thankful that we suffered no damage and that we had power to share. Maybe this week I can catch up on adding pictures on my blog!!!

The Wedding Singer

Micah sang in his first wedding this July. Greg did the ceremony and Micah was the special music. He sang Matthew West's song, "You Are Everything" and he did an amazing job. Becky Sheers got married. Those of you from Huntington probably remember Charles and Cathy Sheers, missionaries to Columbia. Becky is their granddaughter. We have been friends with them for years and it is really neat that Matt and Sandy have lived everywhere but we reconnected with them about 12 years ago. They are members of our church. How cool is that. They are very dear friends and we all had a part in Becky's wedding. Becky's brother, Sam, and Micah are really close friends and Sandy is my friend that walked the marathon with me last year.
The wedding singer in action!
Micah and Becky dancing at the reception. This was the dollar dance but instead of keeping the money, they made a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation in honor of their grandparents. Charlie is not doing so well these days.
Micah's first day of school as a high school sophomore. This is literally the hardest part of his day. He did get up today, but I'm sure as the weeks go on, it won't be that easy.
He's worse than Nathaniel!
Here he is packing his backpack. Ready or not, here he comes.
He is a very hot sophomore! We went clothes shopping on Friday and got him all set.
You can tell he has grown up with a camera in his face because
he really doesn't mind having his picture taken.

By the way, I'm truly sorry that it has taken me so long to add a new post. My camera broke and I had to use Lauren's and then transfer pictures to her computer. Her computer is not always available so that's why you have been forced to see the garden pictures for so long. I PROMISE to add a new post every week. Now that we are back into a fall schedule, I have made Tuesday my day to add a new post. Hopefully our lives will be exciting enough to take pictures that are worthy of a blog! I still don't have a camera. After paying school fees, buying school clothes and school supplies, I probably won't be getting one in the near future.

How does our garden grow?!

God has supplied just enough rain, sun, and great soil this season to help us raise what appears to be a bumper crop of everything we planted. I'm sure you aren't as excited as we are so bear with me with these pictures. This is the first year we have ever planted a garden and I already can't wait to expand next year. If you come to see us, you can have a home grown meal! We planted corn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, peppers, beets, chives, and brussels sprouts. I have discovered that I would rather spend an hour in the garden than 15 minutes in the grocery store. I hate going to the store!
Greg planted the corn and we are going to have tons!
These pictures just don't do it justice and they were taken a week ago. This week everything grew by feet instead of inches. Here you can see beans by the corn, cucumbers, beets (story to follow), and tomatoes.
On the right side of the picture are brussels sprouts and some peppers.

Greg trimmed our trees and used the branches for bean poles. How's that for being resourceful!
This morning I checked on the garden and my beautiful beets had been eaten by a deer. I still have about 2/3's of a row left. I used to think deer were so cute, but not anymore. At Christmastime, we will NOT be celebrating with any reindeer! We had to put up fishing line to keep them out and it worked until last night. It apparently stuck it's head through and had a little feast. Nathaniel said that fishing line would keep the fish out but we needed deer line to keep them out - HA - he is so funny! Anyway, come in about 6 weeks to help us enjoy the fruits and vegetables of our labor.

"Sweet" Vacation

After leaving Morgantown Tuesday morning, we headed for Hershey, PA. Micah had done the roller coaster research and wanted to ride all of them at Hersheypark. We had great weather. We first went to Hershey's Chocolate World where they have every product made at Hershey and they have a simulated tour of the factory. It was really interesting. Greg and I loved the history - Micah loved the candy!
On Chocolate Avenue, all the street lights are covered with a giant Hershey Kiss. We rolled our windows down while driving because the town smells like chocolate. It is a very clean place and the factory, Chocolate World, Hersheypark, and Hotel Hershey are all right together.
At Hersheypark, we went up in the kissing tower and of course, we kissed at the top much to Micah's dismay! It isn't easy taking a vacation without siblings. Micah was outnumbered.
Greg and Micah are in the cars going up extremely high. I can't take the loops - they make me dizzy so I just took the pictures.
Here they are getting ready to head straight down!
Greg finally got his chocolate milkshake at the end of the day.
Micah is standing by the statue of Milton Hershey. If you ever get a chance to read his biography, it is really fascinating. I read one before we left and then shared the info with the fam on the trip. I think they might have gotten tired of all of my explanations.
On Wednesday, we headed to Gettysburg. WOW! This was a great place to visit. We were there on July 3rd, the 145th anniversary of the final battle in Gettysburg. There were tons of re-enactors everywhere getting ready for all the battles. This is the station where Abraham Lincoln came to give his Gettysburg Address.
This is the church where he went to pray before giving his speech.
We went to a parade in the town where a lot of Confederate troops were taking over the town. Again, you need to read the history. It was really amazing. As we were watching the parade, Micah said, "That kid goes to my school!" He was in a wagon in the parade as one of the re-enactors. We can't go anywhere away from people we know!
Ladies of the soldiers - they were watching the parade.
This is a Union General we saw at the sight of Pickett's Charge.
This is the view from the top of the hill where Pickett's Charge took place. We were there about one hour before the actual battle took place 145 years ago. It was an incredible sight.
This marking is in the Cemetery where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. They had the soldiers buried by state.
All the Ohio soldiers had an Ohio flag by their grave. It was a memorable place to go and visit. So many soldiers gave their lives. Having a soldier in our family, it really made me proud of our country and thankful to God for our freedom and for Nathaniel's safety while he was in Iraq.

Super Nanny Lauren

In the last ten days, Lauren has spent quality time with 18 kids! She has gone to baseball games, the pool, played "castle", "hotel", given kids baths, painted nails, made shrinky dinks, done crafts, taught them about Jesus, made lots of snacks, and put kids to bed. She has broken up fights, comforted the "out-of-sorts", and has even taken Micah shopping, to a party, home from church and youth group, and has even taken care of Dan's dog - and even Dan! As you can see, Lauren loves kids, has a heart to nurture, and the kids follow her like the Pied Piper! It's too bad we live so far away from everyone. Lauren would be a great babysitter for you.
Four of our favorite PK's - the Deal kids. Lauren even gave them tattoos which they proudly showed me at church on Sunday.
Lauren and Stacie teach the two year olds for the first service on Sundays. This week they had 5 girls and 3 boys - all so cute!!!
This is the oldest of the girls Lauren is watching this summer - Kayla.
Abbi is the youngest.
This was her first dive during swimming lessons.
Lauren and Josh at a ball game. Notice the gap in his smile.
Jacob, Josh's brother, is getting ready to bat. Lauren even takes great pictures of the kids. I guess she has learned something from me!

Police Academy Graduate

Nathaniel stuck it out for 6 long months of non-stop school! He is now an official Sinclair Community College Police Academy graduate! He graduated last Wednesday and the Dayton Chief of Police was the keynote speaker. We were very proud parents. Nathaniel has accomplished a lot these last two years and this was definitely a reason to celebrate.

You may recognize Travis, Nathaniel's best man at his wedding. Nathaniel and Travis will be working together as police officers in Lebanon, Ohio. Travis was the representative of Lebanon at his graduation. They've come a long way from being mall security (where, incidentally, their boss told them that they would never amount to anything - especially being policemen.) I think they had a little too much fun on the job! They are considering paying her a visit in their uniforms just to prove their point.
Kim, a very supportive wife is standing by her man.
Kim's parents came down for the celebration. Merritt especially made the sacrifice because he is very busy now and we appreciate him taking the time to come.
It's hard to believe that he went from playing policeman to being one!
This is Dustin, a former Marine, who became a very good friend during the academy. They used their military skills to try and kill each other during their physical fitness tests! They both won the physical fitness gold medals! Nathaniel also won the President's Physical Fitness tests in the 1st and 3rd grades - needless to say he likes to exercise.