Monkeying Around

There is so much to do around the bay! What a place to hang out - picnicking, filling buckets with sand, wading, throwing the nerf ball back and forth, bicycling, climbing and sliding on the playground. A great way to spend time with dear friends.

Monday Morning Hike

What a view to take in and rest at after our morning hike.
We hiked out on Easter Monday on a trail Daddy had previously explored with buddies

Here's the peak of our trail before we headed back

tired legs hitch rides

see you again soon lake beauty

Easter Recap

We woke up Easter morning to a beautiful day with clear skies. We were Blessed that dear husband had been given this day off (requested it off in November)...so we slept in a little. After reading the Easter story, the kids get to head straight for an indoor easter egg hunt. They were running out their bedroom door :)
We enjoyed breakfast together, and were excited that Lola and Lolo joined us at church. It was an unexpected blessing we discovered the night before. Coffee and donuts while waiting for service to start - yum.

The message "Easter is for You" spoke to us personally. Pete and I recommitted our lives to Jesus, as did my father, with mom by our sides (maybe she did too - God knows). After brunch with Marn & Steve, we headed to the usual beach stop we venture to with Lolo and Lola. There was a strong ocean wind and it was COLD. Hence, my only picture on Easter is wearing a borrowed black jacket covering my easter dress...oh well, not a big deal. Our fun day of activities ended with another Easter egg hunt...(then a nap for me!). Eggs in fun places. This one said, "That Easter egg hunt was easter-rific!":

Happy Resurrection Day!

He is not here. He is risen just as He said.
Matthew 28:6

Six on Stay at home Saturday

1. Each Easter Season, the boys pose in this "tomb" with the stone rolled away.... 2. We spent the day between Good Friday and Ressurection Sunday preparing for Easter Fun by...

3. by drawing Easter decorations (Our older son's suggestion that we color because we have few decorations)

4. Juicing grapes and sipping something like what Jesus may have shared when fellowshipping with His friends.5. Decorating Eggs - we emptied a couple of eggs and decorated them with glitter! since it took so long to "blow" out the eggs, we hard boiled the rest and decorated with lots of colors.

6.Making a Resurrection Bread for tomorrow's breakfast...it's NOT pretty...nor crafty nor creative! we baked a breakfast bread, then cut it and carved it into a tomb shape with a "stone rolled away".

Five on Good Friday

1. What a blessing that we were able to remember Jesus this Good Friday with my parents. They read the boys the story of the First Easter. At the part where Jesus died on the cross, the boys, snuffed out the final candle of our cross-shaped candles.
2. We enjoyed Story Time with Ms. Dawn at Berean Christian Bookstore. This has been the 3rd Easter Season we enjoyed Ms. Dawn telling the story of atonement and Resurrection day. I pray that this tradition will continue year after year.
3. Sometimes the wishes we have for ourselves are a lot smaller that those God has for us.
4. Since the fall season, it's been a blessing to spend time almost monthly with Grandma, Al, Aunt Sammie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Cindy, or Uncle Don.
and
5. Although we missed my parents through birthdays (mine, Aidon, dad, mom), holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines) --- they have returned in time for us to remember together the greatest gift.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV

Palm Sunday

I mentioned before that I was looking forward to adding new traditions this year.

On Palm Sunday, we started a countdown to Good Friday. On a black construction paper cross, six candles were lit. We extinguish one candle each day and on Good Friday the final candle would be extinguished.

At church, we each learned the story of Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem with the crowds waving palm branches yelling "Hosannah!". The boys were to take turns riding a "donkey" down the hallway while we wave construction paper palm branches yelling Hosannah!

BOTH of them were very embarrassed to play the role, even though it was just the four of us.

it must be overwhelming to pretend to be the King of Kings ;)

Back to the old routine

With Lolo and Lola's first day back in town, the grandkids just expected to jump back into the routine -- to go to the usual beach for a walk and hanging out with Lolo and Lola.

Another JUMP
dig. bury. find. build.

quick pose

back 2 exploring

A welcome arrival

It was with great pleasure that we all received my parents return from their travels!! the vacation was extended from february to march then march to april. we were beginning to wonder if there would actually be a return date. It is customary that Filipinos bring balikbayan when they go to visit as well as when they return. Here's just a portion of what my parents brought to share. The family room was empty and clean before they returned.

The most precious and well received gift was their presence. We are so glad they arrived safely and that they were healthy enough to travel. We all missed their company dearly.

-cheek to cheek-

They flew into the L A airport then drove back home. So, the kids were woken up close to midnight to say hello

it didn't take long before the grogginess wore off

Lolo was surprised when we all said goodnight, that the boys invited themselves to fall asleep next to him!

Welcome Home Lolo and Lola

Surgery Smurgery

Nothing is too big for God to handle. Our older son had surgery on April 1st. Our biggest prayer was for his peace...and that prayer was answered. During the time in the waiting room, we were called in for various check ins (vital signs, signatures, weight check, etc). He said, "they keep interrupting my playtime in the clubhouse".

The surgeon, whom he'd met a few times prior, has a gentle presence. The anethesiologist emanated a great attitude - very upbeat "you get a laser light on your finger! you get to breathe in strawberry or bubble gum air and make a balloon get bigger than smaller again!" All went well.

Here is a post-op picture with Nurse Hermie who cared for this guy from the start (vital sign checks pre and post op) to finish, and sent him and his brother home with an extra popsicle. His favorite part was watching Ice Age in the recovery room.

Out for fresh air

My boys and my sister went out for some fresh air while walking down memory lane. I took all of them to my old lunch spot. When pregnant with the first boy, my coworkers and I would bring our lunch, and sit at a grassy knoll that overlooked the ocean. Well, now there is a playground and community park at that same spot!
We met at my sister's bussiness office...and the boys got to see where people come to get facials and such. This picture was taken of a candlelit room with no flash and high ISO. can't tell though, huh? i clearly am not taking this picture correctly!

The boys had more fun in the courtyard of Engaged Beauty than at the park! probably cuz there was such a cool brisk ocean wind at the playground.

trying to catch some jumping action (Susie-inspiration), with a point and shoot camera, doesn't work

see how far i am from the ground? watch me jump off!

no.more.pictures.please.

Six On Saturday - Easter

I'm "thinking aloud"..and now, all these borrowed ideas are collected in one place! I am excited about adding new traditions this year - New Preparations for Easter! Some of our favorites have been "resurrection egg" hunt, story books about forgiveness, Friday story time at Berean, a resurrection cake.

My friend Jenn shared an encouraging blog with me - Monday Motivation and More - written by her colleague, Beth Lambdin. Pete and I enjoy sharing our faith with our children through the holidays; and Beth has GREAT ways to put this in practice!

So, this year, I hope to add:1. Make Hot Cross Buns to enjoy on Good Friday!

http://bethlambdin.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/pictures-from-good-friday/

2. Re-enacting Jesus' Triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. http://bethlambdin.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/holy-week-begins-celebrating-palm-sunday/

3. On Thursday, we may have a Last Supper snack (a tray of apples • pita bread • cheese • grapes).

4. On Good Friday, reading an account of Jesus death on the cross, then blowing out candles and being in darkness.

http://bethlambdin.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/good-friday/

5. Family Baking - Easter Sugar Cookies.
6. Sunrise Service this year for the first time! I like this bright spring table decor for Easter.

http://bethlambdin.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/happy-easter/

Oooh, I am excited! this is fun :) I love the idea of these traditions continuing as a way to honor our relationship with Jesus, even after the kids move onto the next season in their lives (on their own & raising families) maybe they'll come back to join us or start their own traditions.

Five on Friday

1. Aidon woke up, ran to me, and excitedly said "Wake up MOM!", we need to work on Lolo and Lola's artwork!!". He's been preparing something for them, and anticipated their arrival tonight after our home fellowship.
2. Then we received the voicemail, that my parents return to San Diego has been cancelled, because my father is too ill to travel. He's now on antibiotics, and if don't work, the doctor will admit him to the hospital to administer dextrose. It's been diagnosed as an "amoeba"; however, the medical terminology may be different or translate differently. I'm not sure what that is. We prayed with the kids when sharing the news...and I continue to pray for peace and healing. About mid-morning, Aidon said, "it's okay mom. we already prayed. don't panic".
3. We sure to miss Lolo and Lola, are excited for their return, and were already preparing the way. At least Lolo can heal there, without his kids and grandkids, waiting outside the bedroom door to hang out with him.
4. Josh has a little dry cough that became more frequent today. He'll take liquids, pureed frozen strawberries (we call it "sorbet"), plain bread,and wet fruit - but isn't into eating much else. maybe just a cold coming on?
5. I get to try a recipe that is new to me while the kids nap right now.

I've had it before and it's yummy:

5 cups angel food cake cubes

3 oz pkg vanilla instant pudding mix

1 cup cold milk

1 pint vanilla ice cream

3 oz pkg strawberry jello

1.5 cup boiling water

10 oz pkg frozen strawberries

Place cake cubes in 9x13 glass baking dish.

In mixing bowl, combine pudding and milk, add ice cream, beat at low speed until well blended. Pour over cake cubes and put dish in fridge

Disolve jello in boiling water and then add frozen strawberries. Stir until mixtures is well blended. Put this in refrigerator until it begins to thicken and then pour over pudding mixture- do not stir. Chill to set and enjoy.

Improvisational

After a typical weekday morning, we had an opportunity to turn our family day into impromptu fun for the 4 of us:)

The beluga whale's white color reflects sunlight so brightly

carrying this tiggerpack in hug position :
c-c-old water
Sea Star explorers

3 down. 1 to go!

oats. check.
dairy. check.
squash.check!
Got a phone call from the allergist today that the blood test results regarding ouryounger son's squash allergy finally came in. He is NO longer allergic!!
Welcome back pumpkin pie, zucchini muffins, Trader Joe's butternut squash soup, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, Tuscan Sausage Tart, pasta with squash, sauteed squash, roasted acorn squash.
THREE DOWN. EGGS TO GO.
He still has an allergy to egg. Since the egg allergy is Class One, we can re-introduce it. We're just waiting til his language has grown enough so he can describe any physical reaction he undergoes.

Praise God! We can't say enough what a huge blessing this is for our family :)

Oh, i've been M.I.A. from blogging this month

...so here is some catch up! (there are about 3 posts)