Half-Birthday Party

The kids were busy dystroying a mulch pile at Leann's house. What else is there to do when you have a sword in your hand?

I love this picture of my Dad and Mom!!

My parents came down this weekend to celebrate the half-birthdays so that we can celebrate together. Which means that: Richard, Mom, Dad, Jacob, Isabelle, Gideon, Sydney, and I all had our names on the cake. In the Spring will be everyone else's turn.

Aaron's Baptisum

Aaron was baptized last night at the church building!! We are so very proud and excited. He is the first one of our kids to do it. A man from church, Tim O'Neil baptized him. He has been Aaron's teacher for a while. Tim told us later that he wasn't surprised when Aaron asked to be baptized. Leann and Ryan and the fam got to be there. Leann and I balled of course, but really how wonderful is it to see your son become a Christian? The sound booth people at church even got it on cd for us, so I am sure that Aaron and I will watch it again today. Technology can be so amazing! I am thankful that we can save the most important day of his life. Ryan also took video of the event. Richard and Jacob went back with Aaron when he was going to do it. He had a little trouble with the robe, it was so big he was swimming in it! =) Such a wonderful night!

Isabelle's 7th Birthday

Last night we went to Isabelle's birthday party. The theme was Repunzel so Leann and Ryan had up a big tent with a tower that the kids could run around in. They played games like throw Repunzel's hair into a frying pan. It was fun.

Sydney kept demanding that Alyssa go to the top of the "tower" with her and hold the frying pan. It was pretty funny. Good times! Rebekah was there too, but I didn't really get any pics of just her so we will all just have to imagine her there! =)

Zoo with Elizabeth

We went to the zoo today and it was so fun!! Of course it was getting up over 100 degrees so we were gone by 11. We saw a baby chimpanzee and it was the cutest thing. It kept kissing the adult. The tigers were right up where we could see them. The kids all had fun, but the heat totally wiped us out. We went out to eat at Five Brothers after that (burger joint) and it was really good. Elizabeth and Rebekah are now taking a nap in the room. I am sure that it has nothing to do with besides the heat that they have been up til 2 every morning. =) We will miss Elizabeth, but are so thankful that she got to come.

Movie Time!!

Well we went to the movies yesterday. It was fun. We saw Thor. It was good. It is very difficult to get good pics in the movie theater when it is dark. Mostly it looks like we are part cat because our eyes light up

Elizabeth Visits Part 1

Elizabeth is visiting this week. We haven't seen her since she was 5 so it has been a lot of catching up in a short amount of time. We have been having a good time. Tomorrow we are going to go to the zoo and will take more pictures. Richard and Elizabeth together

All the siblings together, plus our couch that we got for free!! Yah!!

We got to get a picture of the whole family at church. I was glad. I tried to get everyone to behave normally so only Jacob was the one making a face, which actually is normal for his pictures. =) Elizabeth leaves on Wednesday. It will be sad.

Week at the Grandparents

As you can see from these pictures. The kids are having a wonderful time at my parents house. They left Wednesday and will be back this Wednesday. I am sure that there will be lots of interesting stories. Thank you Mom and Dad for having the kids up!!!

Soccer Camp

Imagine for a moment if you could really zoom in on these pictures. What you would see is Jacob at soccer camp. Really it is only for an hour a day for three days. So I use the term "camp" loosely. He LOVES going. Tomorrow is our last day. The kids do different drills at 6 different stations. Tomorrow they are just doing water activites. So much fun.

Talent Show

Aaron had a talent show today. He sang "I Stand in Awe of You" in front of his school. I was so very proud. He was the only one that actually sang a Christian song. He was so scared and kept telling me that he was too nervous, but he didn't even mess up!

Field Day

Today was field day for Alyssa. I decided to help out since this is the last time she will have field day. However, when I got there they did not need me at any of the stations so I just hung out with her the whole time. It was fun. Alyssa and her friend Tabitha were sack racing. There was lots of falling involved. Alyssa ended up just having one foot out and walking/crawling the rest of the way back.

This was hillarious! This was called gladiator. I am proud to say that Alyssa did win.

Croquet golf was another game Alyssa cheated at. =) She decided to just scoot the ball along and not hit it at all. If you play that way it really doesn't take that long.

It was very fun to watch my daughter, though it was rediculously cold. They cancelled all the water games (thank goodness). Alyssa's teeth were chattering before I could go home and get her jacket. We did survive and now have lived to tell the tale, on the blog.

Lionmania

Last night was Lionmania at the High School. It is a talent show. Rebekah did a great job. Alyssa and I went, it was great fun. I downloaded a little slice of video on Facebook to those who want look. This is Persis standing next to Rebekah. Rebekah has known Persis for a while now. Very sweet girl.

Here is one of Rebekah's costume changes. She is a princess and Missy (her friend) is a prince.

Rebekah was a little embarrassed that I wanted to get a picture of her, but I know that secretly she really loved it.