Otter Lake Vacation...a little over due:)

I don't have all these pictures in order according to the date we did everything...oh well!

 The rock behind Mom, Victoria, Esther, and Matthew is sandstone. There were lots of neat formations!

The best part of our vacation was reacquainting ourselves with Dad's brother and his family. Most of us have not seen them for six to seven years!!

 Rachel, Sarah, and Anastaisa.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:24

I think the falls in the background are the Tannery Falls.

 One day was just spent in seeing the numerous falls surrounding Munising, taking pictures, and exploring in and around the falls.

No...this was not a typical breakfast out camping:) Just a little treat prepared for us by our wonderful Mom!!

Lake Superior this year was very very cold. The bravest of us only stayed in for thirty minutes.

 Isaiah 42:3 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

We still found lots to do despite the cold water:)

  Alex is the one almost all the way buried, Matthew, Marie, Timothy, Esther, JoAnna, and Anastaia are the ones that had all the fun burying Alex:)

There was a really fun trail connecting the beach and Miners Castle.

 When Mom looked at the trail on the map it looked very short...well, it ended up to be much longer than we thought:)

Brothers for ever!

Victoria did so well camping!! I think she liked all of the fresh air.

A Mitton reunion is not complete without a rousing game of blackout!!

Though Otter Lake was terrible to swim in, it was awesome to go boating on!!

 Here Matthew is learning how to row. There were kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats. Since one boat only cost $10 a day, we took advantage of them quite often.

The whole crew minus Mom and Reuben.

Otter Lake

Coming back from lakeside devotions.

Miners Castle!!

The campground also had  outdoor games available for free, which we also enjoyed.

Exploring a rocky overhang.

More campground.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Sisters:)
Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Pictured Rocks Cruise Boat. No we didn't go on the boat, but from our vantage point on Miner's Castle we could see the Pictured Rocks...gorgeous display of God's creativity:)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Zechariah 9:17a - For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty!

On our last day in Munising, we explored and found a playground...one our whole family enjoyed, from Esther, right up to Dad!

Pretty amazing for a playground( this is only about half of the playground:)

On Sunday we traveled only half way home, and stayed in a motel in Ashland. One thing that is really fun to do with a slightly larger family is to take walks!

This underpass was made in honor of a person with a handicap...I can't quite remember what the person did...anyway, it certainly made it easier to navigate around Ashland.

Our last stop before home!! The last  of the whaleback boats..."The SS Meteor!" Too bad our camera died shortly after we started the tour. We all really enjoyed the tour, it was very informative!! So there you have it, our very fun, though somewhat long, vacation!!  (that is...a whole week!  :) )I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat , or drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God.

The rest of July in photos

The Girls domino house.

 Zipple Bay

John 4:14 - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Victoria!!

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

A little while ago Victoria had to get some antibiotics for two weeks. She is now doing much better!! Praise the Lord!

 Dad's Birthday!!

Malachi 4:6 - And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Daddy, we love your sense of humor, your leadership in spiritual matters, your love of the Word, and especially for the way you share Christ with others!!

A New Grill!! (this replaced the one he had that was about 20 years old...and had been found by a friend for us as it was waiting to go to the dump...it finally got beyond replacing parts...)

  I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Mom made a Black Forest Cake for Dad's birthday. Yum,Yum:)

 Blueberries

The blueberries have been wonderful this year. It truly is a blessing to have many hands to pick the berries( it goes much faster:)!! (there are some June berries you can see in these buckets, as well)

A little part of our property. Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Trip to a cousins graduation!!

Matthew and I caught a ride with our grandparents down to Sioux Falls to attend my cousin's graduation.

Cousins of the same age:) Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Cementing friendships with my little cousins:)

Yup...We got along just fine:)

 The Roseau County Fair!!

The Lord really blessed the good news cabin this year! 7 Children(as far as we could see) were saved. I Samuel 16:7b for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. Col. 3:23

Nehemiah 8:10b...for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Esther and Elizabeth's birthday!

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Thankful for those who made my birthday a special day! 
(We appreciate you dear Elizabeth...your joyful servant spirit, your love...your desire to share with others...you are a special blessing to our family!  --  Mom)

A DQ birthday sundae:)

Esther, we love your smile, your giggles, your helpfulness, the way you talk!! May Jesus become more real to you this year!!

  Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

The expression Esther had on her face when she saw her bike...Priceless!!

This cake has a very special memory connected to it. When I turned 4 my great grandpa came and ate the hair of my birthday doll cake Two days after this, my great grandpa died.

 Psalm 37:4-7 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

4th of July, Rachel's birthday!!!!

 Rachel spent her birthday down in Fargo. Visiting with Mrs. J., going out to eat at Perkins, and shopping with Mom, Dad, and her Grandpa.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Opening some presents:)

Enjoying yummy pumkin crunch!!

Taking a relaxing Sunday stroll!!

2 Corinthians 10:5 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Rachel, we love your smile, your willing heart to serve others, and your love to witness Christ to others.

Do I detect a future soldier?!!

I am afraid that we hardly got any pictures on the 4th of July. We had a wonderful day though!! Some of our highlights included 1. Having a picnic with relatives and friends. 2. Helping hand out Corn Maze fliers. 3. Playing in the pool (for the younger ones). 4. Handing out 180's and million dollar tracts before the fireworks began. 5. And of course, the fireworks!