July

 July, where did you go?  We started off the month strong with Kevin's family visit.  His dad and mom were in town for a week, and then Ryan, Kristin and the girls came for the 4th.  Kevin and his dad made an amazing chicken coop together and then we went up to the Thousand Islands for a little trip.  We were all together to celebrate Noah turning 4! My baby is 4! I made a Hulk cake for him, and he had a fun time.

 The rest of the July was filled withe swimming lessons and VBS's.  During the first VBS, Kevin really took to the role of Paul, and did a great job leading the story of the program, I was so proud of him.  I was able to lead a girl from our group to Christ, which was amazing.  In the area of swimming, Rachel started out the summer not even wanting to put her head under water, and now she is jumping off the diving board all by herself.  Daniel is learning the strokes, and Noah is enjoying it, which is better than I can say for last year.

The month ended with a spur of the moment trip to San Francisco!  With the help of everyone I knew, a voucher, and just the right timing, I was able to visit my dear college friend Jenny.  She showed me all around, I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, ate good food, fun shopping, and it was overall such a blessing.  She is moving to Berlin this fall, so I thought I would take the time to see her before she moves to a whole different country!

I was also blessed this July with different friends driving to see me, either passing through, or lingering for a day, and a visit from my Aunt for a few weeks.  I feel the summer coming to a close with soccer starting in a few weeks, another round of swim lessons, and just an overall feeling to get ready for the school year.

Growth

Another post where I am a few months off, yet in trying to pick pictures to describe what has been going on, it has been eventful to say the least.  Trips to the lake, dance recital, piano recital, finishing up the year in school, and concerts.  As I reflect this post, I am thinking of the word growth.  How do we measure it?  The kids are definitely growing taller, and learning a lot.  I have definitely grown in patience, and yet maybe need some more growth in expectation.  We are growing as a family, and never more than now as we get ready for family to move back.  If nothing else, we are growing here, and I am thankful that God is continuing to lead us and guide us in this growth.  

Noah at the Lake

 Daniel and Rachel at their piano recital.  Daniel went from crying and not wanting to play during the rehearsal, to finishing is piece with a smile.

 Rachel, the ballerina.

 Family trip to the Museum of Play in Rochester.

 First Newsboy's Concert :-)

 We are trying with the chickens again, and this time with a turkey.

Waiting for Winter...to be over

March is one of those months.  Still lots going on, but when last year you had 80 degree weather, and this year it really hasn't been out of the 30's and there is still a lot of snow on the ground, you get a little winter weary.
Earlier this month, as I was going to go to the gym with my brother, I slipped on the ground and sprained my back. It was scary, I was on the ground and couldn't get up, God was there, and so was my brother, and he was able to get an ambulance to come, and help with the kids as I went to the hospital with Kevin.  I am significantly improved, and almost ready to get back into the exercise, but thankful that God heals and provides.
In the mean time, Daniel turned 7, won his pinewood derby contest with Tiger Cubs, and lost two teeth this month.  Rachel has her Daddy and Daughter Dance tonight, which she has been anticipating all year, and we learned how well she can keep a secret.  Kevin's parents came in for Daniel's birthday as a surprise and she kept that a secret for weeks!  She doesn't get that from me :-)
Noah continues to be the little comedy break in the family, and really can't wait until it is his birthday.  After all Daniel got, he is really thinking about what he wants for this year.

Winter Fun

 I was going to say not much is going on, but I guess that is not true.  We have been bowling this winter, to the circus, the Wonderworks, playing in the snow, and continuing the routine of homeschool, dance, tiger cubs, piano, and the never ending home improvement.

 I think bowling was actually fun this year!  It has taken a few times, but the kids are listening, they can hold the balls, and they get the general idea.

 The High School had a circus come by, we met some friends there and had fun.  I loved watching Rachel get really into it, and Daniel really wanted to hold that snake.  Noah wasn't too crazy about it, he only had one hand on it, but a good picture overall.

Daniel is thriving in Tiger cubs, he is really into the patches and they do some fun things.  The cutest thing is watching Noah grab all of Daniel's uniform stuff and wear it around the house.  Only two more years before he can get in the action.

Ok, if you have never been to a Wonderworks, you should!  Very fun place, and one just opened near us.  Another reason to visit!  This is a bed of nails, Rachel just walked right up and layer down...oh fearless one.

 There was a bubble floor, and we stayed there for a while.

February is now flying by, but the hardest part of the year is coming up.  It will be three years now since my mom's passing, and boy do I miss her!  I know she can see everything where she is now, and God has really giving me a great support group out here, so very thankful.

So...March will be pretty busy with a new 7 year old in the house, and visits from family.

A Quick Recap

 With the holidays came Christmas Concerts, cousins, and snowmobiling.  My Dad, Sister, and nephew drove  in from Iowa, between the snow storms coming across the country. My brother even cooked the turkey, and it was delicious!

 The legos are upon us!  Anyone else struggling with keeping these little guys put away?

With the new year came Rachel's first lost tooth, and a piano.  We were blessed with someone giving this one away, all we had to pay was for the moving.  At first I thought having a piano would be good for the kids with their lessons, but I am also playing!   I am helping out with our little church's worship team, and although needing more practice, am really enjoying it.  

Also with the new year comes new house projects!  We are tearing down wallpaper and fixing the places where we have torn down wallpaper, and will eventually start painting a few rooms.  Here's to a new year, and the new things God is doing in our family.

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.