Happy New Year from the Deckers in Dakar!

October 23: Harvest Fest

The Dakar Deckers were all involved in the 2009 Dakar Academy Harvest Fest Down-Under! Jacob ran a "chicken chasing" booth with one of his friends, which seemed to go over well with the little kids. The bigger kids had fun when the chickens escaped from the pen! I clipped the wings of one rooster, hoping to keep him in the pen, but he managed to jump out anyway. Dave kept busy grilling, relieving kids at their booths so they could get a bite to eat, and selling drinks... while I walked all over the campus helping out and troubleshooting as needed. We had a great time, and we're all tired out now that it's over! We feel privileged to be senior class sponsors, and love working with these students!

July 3: fun!

May 9: Mother's Day dinner out

Dave and Jacob took me out for a Mother's Day dinner. We ate brochettes and grilled shrimp at Chez Fatu, and watched amazing waves! I love the way the lighthouse looks when it's getting dark...

February 26: Twenty seven years!

Twenty seven years has gone by quickly! We have been blessed by God's goodness in our lives-- three wonderful sons, the privilege of serving Him in West Africa... we look ahead with confidence in Him for our future!

December 25: Merry Christmas!

We had a great day, a turkey dinner at Bruce and Julie's, followed by dessert and carols at Mark and Leigh's!

Blessed Christmas to you all!

Happy 23rd Father's Day, Dave!

Dave has been a great dad to Danny, Joey and Jacob over these years! Today is the first Father's Day with none of the boys at home... Jacob is in the same country with us, but at the beach for a few days with some friends.... We are both blessed to be the parents of our boys-- and I'm thankful for the father our heavenly Father has given them!

Remembering Dad on Father's Day

Remembering Dad on Father's Day, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

On Fathers Day, I'm thankful for my dad. He died almost 17 years ago, but I still miss him! He was a great dad to me, and a great grandpa to Danny and Joey. He would have loved to be a grandpa to Jacob, Lilly, Maggie, Jack, Luke, Jennifer, Paul, Anna, Matt, and Stevey too! The center picture in this collage is from Father's Day in 1990, his last "good" Father's Day with us. (The next Father's Day was pretty sad, with him ending up in the hospital and dying the following month...)

Although I remember him on many days, today is special-- and I just want to say Thanks, Lord, for the great dad and the many great years of him living on earth as my father!

(i know some of these pics don't fit quite right... but it's the best way i could get it to work!)

May11: N.H.S. Induction

We enjoyed being with Jacob at the ceremony as he was inducted into the National Honor Society!

Christmas Eve family photo

Christmas Eve, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

August 20: Family

Family Picture August 20 (1), originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

It's been so great to have Danny with us for these past weeks. He is returning to Miami tomorrow, and we will miss having him here! But we are excited for all that he is returning to in Miami-- including a very special girl and the return to full-time college.

July 4

July 4, originally uploaded by MaryD in Senegal.

We are off on an adventure-- taking the train downtown, to enjoy the riverside happenings and watch some fireworks. Danny has joined us, and it's fun to be all together in Minnesota!

Deckers in Annapolis!

We had a great time visiting with our friends, who rented a boat and took us to see Annapolis from the water! Jacob drove us up the Severn river.


















We enjoyed looking around at the US Naval Academy, and seeing amazing bits and pieces of our nation's history.

catching up on my reading

catching up on my reading, originally uploaded by MaryD_CI.

It was a quiet morning, sitting on my terrace, catching up with my reading, under the careful supervision of Tigger the cat. He's thinking I should be petting him instead of taking pictures!

February 26: 25 Years Ago!