Snapshots.

Just a few snapshots of the last few weeks.  Kevin and I enjoying an anniversary dinner. We visited Monticello, had lunch out, went to see a movie, had dinner out, and I know the kids enjoyed their time with Rene and Di.  

 Time with Kevin's family at Shenandoah Crossing.  We had  a great Thanksgiving with them in Roanoke.

 Daniel's First VT Game!

Finding a Christmas tree

 We cut one down this year, for the experience, not because we need to cut down any more trees :-)

 Visiting Kevin's work with the kids, and them holding their SRCtec Jaguars, and wearing their SRCtec hats.

Ballet and Boy Scouts

Just a quick update on life.  First quarter over, and I think it is going alright!  Rachel is reading a little, Daniel is reading well, and we are getting back into the swing of things.  Of course, we have a week off with traveling again, but that is what this is all about.  

 Daniel loves legos...he made a Duplo version of the Eiffel tower, Big Ben, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.  Looking forward to the time we can take him to these places for real.

 Daniel is also loving Tiger Cubs, and today he participated in a Veteran's Day ceremony.  It is so meaningful to share these days and moments with the kids now that they can begin to understand them.  

 Noah's cheesing at a little campfire in the backyard.  Need to enjoy all the nice days we can!

Rachel also finished her first 6 weeks of Ballet class.  She loves dancing and being on stage.  

One more week, finishing up the Co-op, piano lessons, Lego meeting, and packing.  We are celebrating Thanksgiving with Kevin's parents, and have most of my Christmas shopping done because of it.  It is freeing.  Feeling very thankful to be celebrating 10 wonderful years of marriage while in VA, and taking Daniel to his first college football game.

A Puzzle

Did you ever do one of those puzzles where you have to move one part to get other parts in the right place, and then keep shifting things around until you complete the puzzle?  I don't like those games, yet that is what has been happening lately in life.  I think things are finally shifted enough to at least blog about, and have pictures too!

These are from Disney.  It was a very good time with family, and the kids continued to surprise us on how well they did on the plane, hotel, and parks.  Daniel did his first few roller coasters with Kevin, and I don't know who enjoyed it more.  

 Yes, we dressed Rachel up as a princess, and had her walk around the park.  This was such a fun age to watch.

 It was fun having my Dad, brother, sister and nephew along...although they got a little sick on the trip.

Here we are on the way back, notice Noah's technical abilities.  It is also nice to have children able to take pictures so Kevin and I can be in on the action.

After that the next weekend we were in New Bedford, a quick weekend celebrating Kevin's grandmother's 80th birthday, the same one that Rachel share's birthday with.  I have a little 5 year old girl now! And now the dust has settled, the pieces are falling back into place, and we are in the throws of fall.  We were able to get our wood done, enjoying the last parts of the harvest of the garden (it was a good one, but of course we are going to change things next year), and getting ready for ... winter.....

A New Season

I will update with pictures once we get our software updated on our computer.  I haven't taken pictures with my camera, but we have been doing a lot of fun stuff.

Daniel is riding a bike without training wheels, doing soccer this year, and is officially swimming!  We are really into lego's, and are looking into Tiger Cubs for him this fall.

Rachel is doing an amazing Christian Ballet class this fall, that incorporates the basics of dance with character building and a focus on the Bible.  It is a program that is normally in Syracuse, but they are trying it in town here, so I am so happy there is a program like that here.

Noah is also growing by leaps and bounds, the Dr told me he is very smart for a 3 year old, and I have been surprised with the things he is comprehending and doing.

We are involved in the LEAH co-op this year, and I am helping with co-ordinating the field trips.  School started for us today, Kevin was involved in seeing this new curriculum we are using, and I am so excited about this year.  Most of all, my goal is to take it one day at a time, and pray for wisdom to know what the kids are needing.  I was so bent on staying on schedule last year, that I think I burnt myself out.  And I don't think this is what homeschooling is about.

I am excited for September, we have lots going on, including birthdays, Disney World trip, and a 10 mile race at the end of the month.  In between that time we are trying to do wood, can a few things from the garden, and keep up with schoolwork!  I believe God is doing a new work in my family, both in my heart, and with those around me, and I am excited to see what life looks like when I let go of my expectations and let God rule my life.

Summertime

This summer is going very fast!  After finishing out at VBS, we got in the van to drive down to Myrtle Beach, making a quick stop at the Thorsons!  We had a great time with you guys, the kids are still talking about their new best friends from our beach trip. 

We had fun at Myrtle Beach, going to an aquarium, put putting, and of course, lots and lots of time at the beach. It was nice spending some time with our new brother in law, and a lot of laughter.  

 Daniel was great on the boogy board and Kevin was great at catching the crabs.

The week after the trip, Daniel and I jumped on a plane and had some time with my Dad, sister, and nephew.  The boys were inseparable.  Kevin was very gracious with spending time with the other two, and my brother was crucial when I got off a full plane to take another plane that was delayed...we didn't get home until very early on Monday.  I do have some delta vouchers...anyone want a visit?

 This was in Dubuque...a great museum if you find yourself in Iowa.  

And now most of my vacation days are over.  I got Rachel registered as a Kindergartener, and are looking forward to what homeschool will look like with two. Just gearing up for the fall, the vegetables we are getting already from our garden and knowing what to do with them, and just the general getting ready for school thing.  

July 4th and Noah's 3rd

We had a great time with Kevin's family for the Fourth of July weekend.  They brought some sparklers up, we went to a few beaches, and was able to celebrate Noah's 3rd Birthday together.  It is fun to watch the cousins really start to have fun together.  

 This was the first time hosting Kevin's brother Ryan's family.  Now that we do live less than 5 hours away we are hopefully be able to meet up with them more often.

 Noah the birthday Boy!  I made a Spiderman cake, which is what he is into right now, and I think he is really getting into the whole birthday idea...although I have been thinking he has been three for the last few months.

I have tons more pictures, just trying to figure how to get Kevin's pictures uploaded...I think there is an app for that.
We signed up for the next session of swimming, have VBS next week, and am gearing up for the next trip to Myrtle in two weeks!

June Monthaversary

I almost missed this post because we are at the start of 3 Days of Birthday for Kevin, and with Father's Day last weekend, and Kevin's birthday celebrating this weekend, it has been busy :-)

We have had a bunch of things go on in the last few weeks, but I think that can save until another post.  I just wanted to highlight Kevin with Noah.  Never have I heard Kevin laugh around a child as much as I hear him laugh with Noah.  I mean it is partly the things that Noah says, and the things that we see Noah do, but there is a joy we have with Noah that is very special.  Just as Kevin is learning parenting with the other two, Kevin is seeing that Noah has some good hand eye coordination, and anything with a ball, Noah is right there. 

I am very proud to watch Kevin with the kids, and it is fun that Kevin is so involved.  He also got an iphone this past weekend, and has a lot of good pictures on his phone, I need to learn how to get them off.  I don't think I am quite ready for a smart phone yet.  And early Happy Birthday Kevin!  Looking forward to what God has in store for you this year!

Strawberries and Swimming

Ah Summer!  When strawberries are in season, and the swimming is good.

 Last time I took the kids strawberry picking it was at Parley farms and Rachel was only able to sit up.  But they did great!  We only lasted 20 minutes or so, but I am training them young. Maybe next time we will pick enough to freeze and not eat the pint on the way home.

The kids have had one week of their two week session, swimming every evening.  Daniel and Rachel have loved it...Noah not so much.  Daniel wants to be able to scuba dive, and I am happy Rachel is getting the confidence in the water, which will make the times at my cousin's pool, and beach time, a lot more fun this year.

 He says the water is too cold.  Maybe at the outdoor pools he will adjust easier.

Homeschool is for all purposes done for the summer.  We are going to be reading all summer, and the local library has a great summer program for the kids that the older to can attend, and it's free!

May Monthaversary

We talked about Daniel last month, and now let me share what a beautiful relationship Kevin has with Rachel.  She was born on his grandmother's birthday, and she is the princess of the family.  Rachel is very different from Daniel, and Kevin is adjusting well to how to meet her needs.  He took her on a Daddy Daughter dance a few months ago, and since that time Rachel has really opened up to him, sharing her thoughts, having talks, things that she before seemed to reserve for me.  Each child we are given has so many special treasures, and I am proud of how Kevin is continuing to strive and meet each of their different personalities.

Gardening and Fishing

I have to get used to this new way of posting...I am used to putting the pictures I want to show up last first, so these are a little out of order.  First things first, I am happy my dad, sister and nephew are around for the next few weeks.  We went fishing with Michael this weekend, and the boys have been non stop!  The weather has been beautiful as well, and we are all getting a darker shade of sun.  

 Daniel caught two fish!  And one using his sister's pole.

 Princess Renea, the chicken we inherited from my sister's flock, is doing well down here.  She only escapes a few times a week, and the other little ladies are quickly growing to her size.

 For Mother's Day we did some gardening and the kids made some sweet cards and very thoughtful of the day.  We started planting our garden and got some squash, green beans, sunflowers, peppers.  We have a more to plant, these are just things we started from seed.  Kevin is excited about the canning we can do this year.  Trying just to be better than last year, and realize this is all still such a learning process.

Spring Daze

The last few weeks have been a different.  We finished off the spring co-op, and by the end of the 8 weeks, Noah was ready to be in the preschool class, and I am excited for Rachel and Daniel to be in the same class next year.  We only have a week or so left of official material to cover, although we have a busy summer planned.

Here is Rachel at her Dance recital.  

 My cousin's husband came over to get a huge rock out of our garden.  It was fun to watch, and we are almost ready to plant some things.

 More of Rachel's Recital.

A few weeks ago a fox got into my brother's chickens, leaving only one left.  We adopted the one and have it with our not so little anymore chicks.  We also had a porcupine in our yard and a snapping turtle that we had to get rid of.  So there are the adventures in country living.

A little over a week ago Kevin's cousin passed a way, allowing Kevin and Daniel to go to New Bedford and attend the services.  It was a good trip for Kevin to take, and little bit of a break with just two kids around.  Kevin is off to San Diego this week, and we are having some house work done, so by the time he returns from his trip he will have a slightly renovated home :-)

April Monthaversary

Over the next few months I want to highlight Kevin in the role of Dad. These are the two pictures that I think of first when Daniel as a baby with Kevin.

I remember that whole time as being such a life changing time, if it was just starting a family that would have been one thing, but with Kevin transitioning out of the military, me transitioning to a stay at home mom role, and us needing to move, it was a lot. And I remember Kevin being so strong during this time. He has been the diamond in the rough, shining brighter despite of the pressure being placed on it.