Parent Sunday School Art Faux Pas

I know that Revelation 22:19 says to not take away from the words of the book…but this was unavoidable…well at least unconsciously. Numbers 20:5 through 21:20 (pages 177 and 178), while a very interesting passage including the death of Aaron, was subjugated to the classic parent faux pas of Sunday School art. Granted, our refrigerator is already full of masterpieces, but I dutifully collected Cian’s (4) paper plate magnum opus and without thinking tucked it into my Bible. Only later did I realize that they had used glue (real glue – not even a barely tacky glue stick) to affix the butchered magazine clippings! AND THE GLUE WAS STILL WET! Hence the words on that page were literally removed as I carefully separated the art work from the Word of God. By grace I have to believe that my salvation is still intact.

Boat Trip 2009

Freewinds 8.12.09

We had an awesome cruise - and after two years of working on the boat it was indeed a joyous occasion. The first real voyage was a ten-day excursion into Canada. We left Everett on Tuesday after a two-day turn-around. Here was our itinerary:

8/4/09 Goodbeach, Whidbey Island
8/5/09 Cornet Bay, Whidbey Island
8/6/09 Sucia Island
8/7/09 Montague Harbour, Galiano Island, BC
8/8/09 Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, BC
8/10/09 Maple Bay, Vancouver Island, BC
8/11/09 Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, BC
8/12/09 Wescott Bay, San Juan Island
8/13/09 Goodbeach, Whidbey Island
8/14/09 Everett

Being former teachers and running a tight ship, we forced the crew to keep journals. Here are some picks from the kid's journals:
8/12/09 Caleb (13)
Today we set off again and this time I got to lift the anchor! The white button brings it up automatically and the black button brings it up manually.You have to make sure to not hit the figurehead. We did three things, we went through customs and are now in the U.S.A. again! Second Garrison (Wescott) bay, a place with hiking and forts from the pig war. This was where British and American's could not decide who owned the San June islands. A man shot a "trespassing" pig, the nations sent up there troops,but there was no fighting. Instead the troops got along very well and celebrated holidays like Christmas together.

Emma (10)
After all the preparation and some delays you could imagine our excitement when we finally started our 2 week boat trip.Well, actually, we didn't go for the 2 whole weeks like we'd planned. It was more like 10 days, it just took longer to get ready then we had expected. Papa Ray (our grandpa, Raymond) came to visit from his home in Florida and came with us on the boat trip.Having not sailed on the boat for almost 2 years (because it was in Seattle, being worked on) getting to be back on it was so much fun! and just in the hours to get to Whidbey Island, were our cousins, the Ostlings, were staying to paint the beach house for a week. After staying at Whidbey for a night we set off again. The only part I didn't like was that I didn't have a official place to sleep so I just slept wherever. After the days of waiting we finally got to our destination; Naniamo iland. Being there was my favorite besides zooming around in our new (ish) dinghy and getting to sail without the engine on. Leaving Naniamo was sad but we have fun doing stuff on land (like getting ice cream) just like we did on the way. Even though I had a great time on the boat I still am glad I'm home.

8/12/09 Colin (9)
We went to Roche Harbor. Then we went to Wescott bay. We visited the English camp. Then we went back to Roche Harbor in the dinghy. It was fun! Once we got there we had ice cream! And we went to a sculpture park.

Move to Everett

Moved the sailboat from Lake Union to Everett yesterday (two bridges and the locks to the sound). Just reinforced why sailing is so cool! Here is an image of the Mukilteo Lighthouse as we passed by. Here are some more shots from the 25 nm move at our Photobucket site.

Mukilteo Lighthouse 8.1.09

Freewinds Exterior Completed!

We took possession of the Freewinds today! CSR really did an awesome job! And with the forest green sailcovers from Gordon at Bob Picot we’ve had more folks comment on what a beautiful boat she is! In fact our neighbor at the Everett Marina asked if this was a new moorage for us and stated that the boat before us had been there a long time…Gail tried to persuade him that this was the same boat, but he didn't believe it. Finally his wife point out the masthead and he agreed that it was the same boat! Here is a shot of the CSR crew who worked on her. Thanks to all!

CSR Crew 7.31.09