First Field Trip

Natalia had her first ever field trip in school this year. They didn't go far, just up the road to the farm to pic out their pumpkins, have a little snakc, and play some games. Its such a joy to go along these field trips and see how much fun these kids have with their teacher and how every moment becomes a learning opportunity. Natalia has the best teacher for her right now and she completely adores her. I am so thankful we were able to get her into Bethel, it has made the world of difference for her. Happy Fall!

blessed are those with friends

over the past several months our family has learned, life is not as hard as we tend to think it is. Sometimes we hold onto people for the wrong reasons when it is just better to let them go and make room for the people who really matter in life.
This being said, the kids and I have made room for some really great friends in our lives both new and old and enjoy the time we have with them more and more each time we get together. It is also very nice for me to be able to break out of my box and have new friends. We have been blessed over the years with awesome friends, but it is always nice to have friends from school.
Natalia's long time friend, Maddox and his mother, Kaelish so kindly treated us to a night out at the Disney on Ice show. We had a fantastic time and again was reminded how important friends are in life. Here are a few pictures from the kids trip to the Rose Garden.

Photos By Andrea

My dear friend of 15 years so graciously took pictures of my family last night and I thought, what better time than now to finally update my blog! I know it has been a long time. Photos by Andrea is the name...and Andrea is AMAZING! She is so patient with the kids and really lets them just be them. She helps direct them but doesn't make them feel like they are being bossed around. This is the first time ever we have truly been happy with the pictures we had done and we have no regrets! Andrea will be taken many more in the future, as long as she'll take us! Here a just a handful of the pictures she took last night.
Thank you again Andrea for making out family look so darn good!

Can you find the princess?

We often spend our mornings cleaning up the house, our rooms, and putting away laundry. Natalia's room usually takes the longest, beings she has so many stuffed animals. Well like any other day we get things straightened out, go down stairs have lunch and then its time for nap. Usually after it has been quite for about 20 mins I go up and pick at the kids to make sure they are sleeping...I peek in Natalia's room and this is what I find...




When she wakes up later that day I ask her why she took all of her stuffies out from where they belong? Her reply, "they were tired and needed a nap too mom!" In that, "are you really that dumb mom?" kind of voice.

Salut to the firemen

While on one of our walks a few weeks ago we walked passed the fire station like we do so many time. This day was different...the firemen invited the children in to see the trucks. This was a HUGE deal to the kids. (of course I didn't have my dang camera) Alexander was in heaven pretending to drive and they girls were climbing all over the trucks. Later in the day when we got home, Natalia decided they needed cookies...The children helped make the firemen several dozen cookies. I am not sure how many actually made it to the over before the dough was eaten! Thank goodness it was egg free :)

Pilot J. Duncan

John has wanted to get his pilots license for a very long time now. Recently our friend, Bob received his license and has asked John to join him flying. Finally about two weeks ago John was able to go up with him. He even was able to fly the plane a little.

The kids patiently waited for him to fly over the house so they could see daddy flying in the plane. They were overwhelmed with excitement when they saw the plane!

I don't think I will ever be able to get into one of those little plans, but I have a feeling they are going to be in our life big time, here shortly.

Joy in your heart

We don't always get to spend enough time together as a family so when we do I try to take as many picture as I can. I feel I am an extremely blessed person with a loving husband and awesome kids.
Natalia is turning into such a girl now and isn't out little Bug anymore. She is coming home from school telling us about all the wonderful things she has been taught and prays before her meals now. Its just so sweet.
Alexander has really begun to turn the corner of being out baby into this little boy. His vocabulary has soared and he is really finding his place in this house. Although he can be such a boy at times, he is the quite one.