Happy Birthday to Anna!!!

We celebrated Anna's birthday a bit early this year. We had a fourth of July party, which had been a wish of mine since she was born. After feasting on fried chicken , veggies and watermelon, the children... and some parents, participated in the sack races, 3 legged races, and the marshmallow run. We had so much fun!!! After the games, we played a bit and went on a nature walk. It was a perfect day for Anna, fun, food, and nature. She is definitely an outdoors girl, just like her mom!! =)

This picture is small... but I wanted give you a sense of the beauty of the park, and the fun decorations!!The feast!!

I had to show them how to do the sack races!!!
They caught on pretty fast!!



The 3-legged race was a bit trickier... and Anna never really got the hang of it.

Check out Anna's concentration!!!! She is so cute!!!
And of course, the flag cake!!!!! I had to include both pics... because I love Anna's expression... but the picture looks a bit odd with me headless... though I may have felt a bit headless at that point!!!
The children had fun, the parents had fun.... what a great way to spend a Sunday!!!

Anna's Birthday Present

This year we started a new tradition of taking the birthday kid away for the weekend. Anna and I went camping at Rancho Oso, a ranch up in the hills above Santa Barbara. We had such fun!! Can you tell how delighted Anna was to have this special weekend with mommy all to herself!!! We got up to camp late, which was fun for Anna. We had to snap a few photos of the sunset... isn't it beautiful!!
Our "neighbors" had a horse, and generously let Anna and some other children in the camp ride their horse. Anna was so excited to ride a horse!!! Anna loves horses, and if you ask her what she wants, chances are, she will tell you she would like a horse of her own!!


We found a beautiful spot, under a huge shady tree. It was hot, hot, hot that weekend!!! We only had our little tent, so the shade was so appreciated. We spent the weekend exploring the ranch, swimming in the pool, and playing mini-golf. I just love Thousand Trails campgrounds!! They have a little bit of everything!!

May and June

In May and June we celebrated the end. First the end of Biola SP08. I love having a job that stops and starts again. It is a nice feeling to come to the end of the semester, though there are always certain students that I will miss.

We celebrated Anna's accomplishments this year at her open house. They had a farm theme... which my farm-girl Anna greatly enjoyed!! She has learned so much this year, and has improved in every area, from writing to reading and math!!! Yay for Anna!!!

We also celebrated the end of school for Dillon too... though we have less pictures... a lot less. You will have to use your imagination!! Their whole room was set up like a scene from the Wild West. What fun!! Pictures of the children panning for gold, cowboy self-portraits and wanted posters of the children dressed in self-made hats and vests decorated the walls of their room. It was such a fun display of the students' creativity and the teachers' imagination!! Dillon also learn a lot this year, and really enjoyed his preschool experience.

He had a fun end-of-the year luau, and enjoyed playing with his friends, one last time. Goodbye EWPCS!!!! We love you Mrs. Kristen and Mrs. Rosie!!!

Happy Mother's Day

We spent a wonderful Mother's Day with special friends at a special place...Descanso Gardens!! I know... can you tell I am an outdoors girl??? =)
The day was beautiful, the company divine... what more could a mom ask for??
Enjoy these beautiful photos by my photographer husband... aren't they beautiful???

Professional Pictures??

I wanted to take Easter pictures... and then, it was May, so I decided that Sunday was going to be the day.

Well....

I think it may just be worth it to pay someone else to take pictures of my children.

the one good picture….

…out of a lot of…. let’s say… not as good pictures!

Later on that morning, after forcing my children to smile at the camera in an almost hopeless attempt to get a few good pictures.... something that obviously cannot be forced... Anna had a fever, and a diagnosis of strep throat was given at our doctor's appointment the following day!!!! Sorry Anna!!! Now, what was Dillon's excuse??

Of course, a few days later, the really amazing smile was captured, by someone else… on very poor quality "film"!!! Thanks Chuck!!

Maybe Check E Cheese should have a film studio?? =) Will he come to my house?? =)

April 5th

I was in the kitchen, washing dishes, and overheard Anna reading in Dillon's room. I peeked in and saw her and Dillon, up in his bed, reading!!! She was reading to Dillon!!! Beautiful!!

Thank you for your faithfulness!!

Thank you for continuing to check on my poor neglected blog!! I do want to continue the discipline of reflecting on my "story" and sharing it with you!!!

So, even though it goes against my personality, this blog will not be chronological, at least, not until I can catch up a bit. Please enjoy our story, our unorganized and random story!!!

We visited the LA Arboretum at the end of March, a final celebration of the end of spring break!! Since we celebrated the beginning of spring break by being sick =(, it was extra lovely to be able to venture outdoors.

What an amazingly beautiful place! As I looked through my pictures... I was amazed at how God's beauty is displayed through His creation, and in the creativity and skills of the men and women who designed and planted these beautiful gardens. Enjoy!!












We enjoyed a beautiful day, surrounded by the beauty of creation, enjoying the beauty of good friends.


Speaking of beauty, I am constantly amazed at the beauty revealed in the love of my children!!