Summer Fun

 I know it is ridiculous how little I put on here. Couldn't figure out how to do it again after Picasa changed their screen-sad huh. Oh well, its not high on my list!
Lela set me up on facebook, b/c that is where my family puts photos now. However, I have not done anything there either. So Here's a Big Hello to those of you who blog!!
We did so much stuff this summer it about broke me. Was lots of good memories! Hope to slow back down again next year....
These pics are of roller skating at our yearly Oaks Park Library day, Splunking near Bend, Oregon (super cold in caves by the way. :0)
Chad at his best, he rafted 3 times this summer... a first in 10-12 years I think. AND me and E and L after we went on an impromtu nature hike at Sunriver.

Hope you all had a good summer. We are finally settling into school and routine. So happy the sun is still out here!!

School and Play

These are pictures of Field trips to OMSI to study electricity and magnetism I believe (and build big towers apparently).

The boys and I are in a picture of them giving a presentation at our local Classical Conversations school group that meets once a week.
The boys memorized John 1:1-14 for the presentation. Then they learned John 1:1-7 in Latin too. I think its fun, but some may think we're weird..oh well

And the end picture is what real life is ALL about. Make Believe Play (a game called "Arfie" about a dog who has a fort and lots of guns...or maybe 3 dogs, but I am NOT sure). Hahaha, they are very funny!
And this last picture is the start of a video, but I don't know how to erase it so there it is...

We are alive. This a few pics from the last several months

That being said, the highlights of the past couple months were visiting our new cousin Cole. Chad painted the living room with a few friends while we were in Spokane. Looks great! A little cheerier then what we put on the walls 12-13 years ago...
AND we can't forget celebrating Josiahs 9th B day. Why there is a pickle with a candle I don't remember, but it is probably Chad's doing! :)

Snow Day

Levi's first tooth (missing)!

Josiah's 8th Birthday!

With all the vacation stuff I blogged, don't remember blogging about Josiah's birthday. So here are a few pictures of the day we made his cake. He wanted one with a picture of the snowman he made (and became sentimentally attached to). Its name was "snowy" and the cake does look rather like the one he made. Further down you will see J in a chair next to a bear. I've been randomly taking pictures of the boys next to the bear since they were born....boy has Josiah grown!

The last picture is of Josiah and his favorite pastime...Lego making...and that is the space station. He had Dad print a picture of the real one off the computer and he made a lego-copy for a contest. He didn't win, but fortunatly he seems to be able to handle that. He is a sweet and very silly boy. Still loves his snuggles and is for the most part a very considerate and helpful older brother. He is creative and likes to lead his brothers in all kinds of imaginary play.

I can't believe he is 8! But he promises me he won't grow up too fast. :)

HOME

When we arrived home from San Diego, it snowed that night. So, we the best of both worlds for a couple days. IE: Sun and Snow! Wasn't much snow, but enough to enjoy a good sowball fight and build a tiny (quite tiny) snowman named "snowie"
Josiah turned 8 while we were there. He's growing up so fast!

USS Midway

We visited the USS Midway on our way out of San Diego. Tons of history, tons of airplanes and cut apart cockpits to sit in and the best part PUSH BUTTONS!!! Kids probably spent an hour pushing buttons and climbing in and out of cockpits. We did a family friendly pre-recorded audio tour. Then headed to the airport for home. Was a very full trip. Not so relaxing but saw and learned lots of cool things.

Beach! Sun!

Just some nice pictures of our brief beach moments and sunshine! Lots of flowers out already too!

WIld animal Park

We went to the Wild animal park for about 1/2 a day...we were getting pretty tired by this time. But doggonit we were gonna use that pass we bought. :) It was pretty good. The best part really being the sunshine though...and a yummy sandwich we bought there. :) No squished sandwiches this trip. Maybe we were too tired to make them...I can't remember.

SeaWorld

Ok, so next thing we saw in San Diego (after Legoland) was Sea World. Probably an all time
favorite! It is so absolutly amazing to see whales and Dolphins up close and in the air!!!
Oh, and don't forget the dancing Sea Lions. My kids have always been super curious about Sea animals, so it was fun.