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.

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.