Celebrating the Queen's Birthday

I have not posted many re-enacting pictures this year. Here are some pictures from Queen Victoria's Birthday celebration in May. It was very common that everyone celebrated the Queen's birthday. Most of the laborers were given a day off and had a big party and dance. So, this event displays much of the entertainment forms of the 19th century. Dancing, music, croquet, games, singing etc.

Playing croquet to celebrate the Queen's birthday

Two Pipers. No, David did not play :(

Some of the fort ladies, chatting and wearing their lovely dresses!

Dr. Tolmie, the manager of the Fort

Not sure what the "working class" girls are doing on the Tolmie's porch!

19th century table setting display in one of our new buildings

Fiddle

Musicans....and without them.....no one.....could........

DANCE!!!

Virginia Reel

Ending the day with the traditional waltz

Gracie being introduced to the Fort's newest members

James meeting the Fort's "chicks."

Hannah, enjoying the little guys

Christian Heritage Picnic--Battle Ground, WA

Our family assisted the Bryan family in hosting a Christian Heritage picnic in the Vancouver area a couple weekends ago. About five other families attended and we played games, fellowshiped and had a great time meeting families from that area. We were very thankful our picnic shelter had a fireplace because the weather was quiet overcast and cold! Before everyone had their picnic dinners, Dad and Mr. Brannan from the Christian Homeschool Network (homeschool lobby group) both spoke. Mr. Brannan talked about his organization and the up-coming political session and how homeschoolers can be involved. Dad talked about Christian Heritage and its mission, plus encouragement for the new school season. Everyone seemed encouraged and excited for the new school year. Many of the families had already attended the April conference and we are hoping the others will attend this year. Here are some pics from the picnic.

Playing Bocce BallVisitingThese little guys were adorable! Eating dinner--they are adorable too!Miss HannahThe boys listening to Dad speak. When asked if people had attended the Mother Daughter Teas, the guys all raised their hands!No post is complete without a picture of Jonathan!Talking about Christian Heritage Mr. Brannan speaking about The Christian Homeschool NetworkPeek-A-Boo!James found the broom Matt made and helped with the clean up

Lots of little helpers!

Life in the Midst of Chaos

Those of you who have visited us before probably remember the pink bathroom. The pink is now all gone and here are some pictures from a week ago. It now has walls and primer paint and the project is coming together slowly. However, in the meantime eleven people are using one bathroom. It can be rather difficult at times or shall we say character building!!

Church Camp 2008

Labor Day weekend we enjoyed another annual church family camp! Everyone had much fun and it passed with few injuries. Each morning started with an early prayer time and then gathering time around the campfire to sing hymns, pray and listen to teaching on the family. The afternoons were filled with many activities: volleyball, kick ball, football, baseball, bike riding, scooter riding, boffing, frisbee, kyaking, beach walking etc! Our dinners were shared--the church supplied the main meal and each family contributed the sides and desserts. After dinner, we all gathered around the campfire for more singing and teaching. When it was dark, we would gather and play 4 on a couch, one up one down and other group games.


On Saturday night, we had a talent show where each family or individual is encouraged to share with everyone their talent. From our family, the kids sang John Cherokee which is a sea shanite we sang a few years ago and brought back because of high demand! Hannah and Grace sang the "Itsy, Bitsy, Spider" which was adorable! The show ended with a short skit led by Sam Young. It was a story about a man who is tempted into a box by a Mr. Hunter (the devil). Many people come to help him out of the box such as a hippie, goth, cult leader, "Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life" minister (me!!!) and another person in a box, but nothing works. A christian man comes (Jonathan) and shares the gospel with Jerry (the man in the box). Jerry realizes his sin and accepts Christ as his Saviour which releases him from the box. It took us much practicing all weekend to put it together....but it was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed it.


Sunday morning we had a semi-normal church service and a few other not camping families, joined us for the day. That evening, we had a cook-off--Esther entered carmel apples and Daniel entered skillet cookies and they both won! I decided to enter at the last minute and made a new recipe. It didn't turn out as it was supposed to but still tasted okay, so I still entered it. I received a few votes, but knew it wasn't a winner! : )


We packed up Monday morning and headed home, tired, happy and full of fun memories!

Trip to the Zoo

I am trying to catch up on a little blogging. Here are some pictures from a recent trip to the zoo. Mom and I took Hannah, Grace and James and we all had a wonderful time! The rest of the family were touring the USS Stenis in Bremerton, so it was a perfect time to take the little ones to the zoo.
Watching the monkeys. They are such interesting creatures. James loved them!Since we forgot to pack a lunch, Mom bought lunch for them at the zoo. Their meal came in this monkey animal head. The girls loved it! Mothers usually take their children to the zoo to see interesting and exotic animals such as lions and tigers and they enjoy seeing them, but......

....not as much as chasing crows!

After lunch, we saw the penguins

The walrus is such a fun animal to watch. He swam so close to the window!

You could almost touch him!

Playing at the Park

Here are some pictures from a recent trip to the park. Here are some of my favorites!

Busy July

The month of July has come and gone! Here are some highlights:

Saturday, July 12 ~ Mom, Jonathan, David, Esther and James attended the Skagit Highland Games in Mount Vernon. David competed in piping and placed 5th, Esther competed in dancing and placed 1st, 2nd and 4th and was the best dancer overall in her category and won the aggregate trophy!

Monday, July 14 ~ Beginning of Fort Nisqually history camp. Josiah attended I helped. Jonathan and Graydon were also helping with camp and stayed with us for the week which was enjoyed by all!

While at camp, the rest of the Pollock boys went shooting with some friends in the afternoon and we all attended a surprise birthday party for Mr. Allen that evening.

Tuesday, July 15 ~ More camp--we had a really interesting group of kids this year. One of which was a wannabe gang member. During the calligraphy class--writing with feather and ink, this kid was making graffiti! Very strange for a history camp!

Wednesday, July 16 ~ I stayed home and Jonathan went in my place. Jonathan was responsible for one of the troublemakers. He had to follow him around and keep him in line. This camp usually isn't that difficult. I felt sorry for the kids who were there to learn and are not used to a "school" environment!

Thursday, July 17 ~ Last day we helped with camp and everything seemed to go better. The "gangster" child did not show up--I guess he didn't like people telling him what to do--pretty sad.

After camp we packed the van and headed to Portland, arriving at our destination around 10:30pm.

Friday, July 18 ~ The boys went berry picking with our grandparents. Mom and Dad had meetings with important people about my grandparents estate so I stayed at my grandparents house with the rest of the girls.

Later, the most of the family headed to the community college(venue for the Portland Highland Games) to set up our booth. When they arrived back home, dinner was ready including a fresh marionberry cobbler!

Saturday, July 19 ~ Portland Highland Games

Morning was very cool, but the afternoon warmed up nicely--enough to make some of us crispy!! The protocol is pretty much the same as the Tacoma games. The difference being the size and distance between the main field and the clan tents and athletics. Here are some pics from the games. (Photos taken by various Pollock children)

Sunday, July 20 ~ We went to church as usual. David and Josiah went to the air show with the Langfords after church.

Hannah lost her second tooth--she lost the first on Tuesday! At this rate she should be toothless by the end of August!

Our computer died--thankfully, we were able to save all our info off the hard drive. So, for most of the week we were without a computer! Thankfully, Mom recently purchased a laptop for her personal use, but now shares it with all of us!

Saturday and Sunday, July 27 & 28 ~ Seattle Highland Games in Enumclaw

Special post about these games coming soon!

July 28 - Aug 1 ~ I worked at Fort Nisqually where I am emplyed during the summer. I had never worked a whole week before which was a new experience! I enjoy interpreting and love to meet tourists from all over, but was thankful for Saturday when I could spend family time again!

Four of these days, Esther attended a history themed day camp there and Jonathan and David came to assist. Everyone had a great week!

Hopefully, our summer will slow down just a bit. What has happened to the "lazy days of summer?"

Our Neighborhood on Sunday Night

Our neighboorhood is not one of the best. So, we usually aren't suprised by a police car or two, but the sounds of a firetruck coming down the street at 10:30 pm can be alarming! The boys stepped out to see what was going on and saw about 6 police cars, a fire truck and a large group of people about 5 houses down from us. Our first guess was a shooting, but were surprised we hadn't heard anything. After longer observation, we decided it must have been a fight since a parent arrived to pick up their kid and he had ice packs on the side of his head. One of our neighbors tried to find out what was happening, but no one answered. It was quite an exciting evening! Here are a few pics--not very clear because in all the excitement, I forgot to turn on my flash!
Some shocked by-standers!