I love you Caleb and Dhana!!!

Hope 4 Da Hood

Awhile ago, some of you received a letter asking for prayer for a trip we were about to take to Chicago with a group of people from Huron, SD. Thank you for praying! It was a fantastic trip with a fantastic group of people. It was so fantastic, I don't think I took a single picture. So I'm taking them off of the kids' facebook pages. And they're in no particular order, I'm sorry if that bugs you. I very much dislike trying to arrange pictures on blogger.

 This is the beginning of the ginormous carnival on Saturday at the end of the week. This parking lot is full of people in the middle of the day. Anthony is there talking with some kids about the 3 on 3 tournament. The prize tent is behind them and in the far back corner, the little tents are games the kids can play. It's all FREE!!!

 Here is Alex with a couple of the kids he became friends with. I believe the one on the right was saved!

 This is Betsy who we were so thankful to have along. She had a servant's heart. Always ready to say yes to the little jobs at the end of the day after everyone was dead beat.

They're ready to board the "El" to go downtown for an afternoon of fun.

 Here's one of the games in process at the carnival.

  We went to see the Blue Man Group (a definite bucket list item). Ashlynne, below, was a 2nd timer this year going to Chicago. She really stepped up and helped guide her site during the week.

 Looking down from the Sears Tower

 Our fabulous group

 This was the site I (Ronda) was at. Here Katie and Tory are helping the kids do crafts.

   Julie is playing with the kids on the playground.

 A location of 1 of the VBS Sites.

 Mrs. Laura teaching the kids. She came with her husband and daughter and they were incredible. She has a heart for teaching and every chance she got she spoke the truth in love to these precious ones.

 Looking down from the ledge in the Sears Tower.

 Playing with the parachute at one of the vbs sites.

 Rachel is also a 2nd timer and she was quick to notice when something needed to be done and then she would do it!

 The Bean...We told the kids we were gonna go see the bean and we tried a little to explain what it was, but mostly tried to keep them in suspense which produced a lot of questions. So this is the Bean.

 One of the sites. They have the registration table on the left side. The crafts table under the tent. The snack table on the right.

Knocked out after a week of serving.

What Olfert Boys do when they're together

 It begins with innocent chit chat after a meal.

 Oh and an empty 2 liter still on the table.

 Warning sign: Everyone moves to the door with suspicious glances over the shoulder.

 And another 2 liter that's half filled.

 Another warning sign: Dawson's mischievous face

15 minutes later...

BOOM!!

Water blobbing and boo boos

 This is what we do in South Dakota. We go water blobbing which creates great laughter for preschoolers. We folded a large sheet of plastic in half and duct-taped it together. Then filled it with water. It's short lived fun as it drains overnight, unless you are a super duct-taper, but worth the smiles.

This is not from water-blobbing, but from concrete and crocs. I know now why I don't like crocs. She's one tough little girl. 

Nana

This little ham can bring laughs and groans at the same time. For example,
- While trying to discipline, she makes funny faces or stares at you with this look in her eyes that makes it very difficult to be serious.
- Flip flops are "foo-fwops"
- At bedtime, she YELLS "Goodbye" repeatedly from her bed.
- "I do it myself" is heard many times a day.

Gotta love the little gal.

Stowaways

 We were at the garden recently, and we picked up a couple of darling stowaways. I think we'll keep them.

 They said they were on their way to Montana...

 To dance with a cowboy prince at the ball.

Summer!!!

 Capturing an epic moment...in front of the World Famous Corn Palace only in South Dakota!

 She knocked out on the living room floor while I was tending to Nana in the other room.