Summer baptisms

The kids and I look forward to the season of summer and the activities we can enjoy together that go well with hot weather. Part of our summer is typically beach baptisms. This year we were blessed that Pete's work schedule allows him to join us for a couple of these beach days when we fellowship with friends, mingle with other beach goers, and our church community.

First thing, the kids each took a deep hole and buried themselves in it.

Jumping the waves, running the shore, digging/building with sand, karate chops against the water were part of the day. The boys were swimming alongside those being baptized this year. Sunset was beautiful. It is such a blessing to hang out at the beach and be intermingling with familiar faces and friends from Church and school.

A "date" thru a child's eyes

Our older son overheard us talking about our next "date" one morning. Lo and behold, before Pete came home from work that night, that same child set up date activities for his mom and dad! It was fun too. Here is "shark target practice".

"Flip the frog's to the jungle island":

Target practice:

Nascar Racing:

The young ears that hear us are so perceptive. And both boys are so thoughtful in their actions.

I pray that if we keep the Lord number 1 in our lives, and thereafter put into practice nurturing our marriage, then have God's love overflow from these into our children... that our children may keep the Lord's priorities into practice into their own adult lives.

Genesis 2:23-24

²³ The man said,"This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man."²⁴ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Last Day of Swim Class

This photo is really just for me to remember the month of lessons this year. Pete & I enjoyed time to walk around the pool together or hang out and catch up on our days while the kids learned to swim and had a blast. Our only goal with the lessons this year was that our older son would gain confidence in the water - Mission accomplished. And then we were ready for swim-dates & invitations each week of summer.

Summer swimmin'

my favorite exercise is walking or swimming. seems like most kids love to be "fish" in the summer. hot weather, cool water, and splashing with friends/family is a nice combination.

Fun fellowship

We were blessed to fellowship with friends while learning from them at the same time. Both boys enjoyed helping with "set up" which involved attaching scripture, hole punching, and rubber banding. Aidon enjoyed emulating the adults around him that were offering water to refresh passers by, greeting people, and offering the gospel message. At the end of the day, Pete and Aidon were enthusiastic and looking forward to another opportunity to spend time with friends this way.

On the way back to the car, we made sure to visit the petting zoo and see chicks, lamb, cows, and pigs..

cap & gown

Caps and gowns are cute additions to signify the end of a "first". The ceremony was sweet and sentimental. I enjoyed this moment of both boys being dressed up...

With the hustle-n-bustle of life the past weeks, we overlooked inviting family out for this day til it was almost too late. We were thankful that Lolo, Lola, & Tita joined - it was meaningful.
Here is the last 'birthday friday' cha cha cha:

Our teacher this year teamed alongside us in Aidon's growth academically & spiritually. We appreciated her prayer, discernment, encouragement, and compassion. Receiving his promotion certificate from his teacher:

ColorFULL

For Color Day, the "crazier the better" was the motto. We looked pretty crazy!

FOUR!

Dear Josh, where have the past four years gone? they have flown by for your mommy! This year, your brother made you banana crumb bread on your birthday morning and was so eager to wake you up (You are a pretty heavy sleeper) so we could all sing you Happy Birthday!
Your parents had their own plan of making pancakes & sausage & fruit for your breakfast - so there was quite a spread!

Reflecting on this past year, I have been blessed to witness you grow physically, emotionally, and in knowledge. This is very special to me -- since only those who have regular quality one-on-one time with you and are closest to you (the four of us, and a few family members) are privy to the 'workings of your mind'. You have a tendency toward being introverted like your mom.

Your teacher says you've become one of the most articulate children in your class. You love to serve and literally "jump out of your seat" to complete a chore for your brother when dad or I ask him to do something. You consider others. Just today, you said, "I wish Aidon won the game" [because you finished first].

My heart was touched recently when out of the blue while we were playing on the floor, you said "Sin leads to death"...("yes, it does" was my response)..then i think you referred to "Jesus died and rose again".

You ask for a baby now and then, yet very consistently. You would like to have a baby in our home. Even saying, "Can Lolo and Lola have a baby? then we can borrow it and take it home?"

It's neat for me to hear you refer to scripture or sing worship lyrics with OOMPF! (top of your LUNGS!) my favorite is when you ask for bedtime worship. "Mom, can we do worship?" My heart melts. Kinda like this whipped cream did...
After a yummy home breakfast, it was "Dad's N Donuts" at your class!!

You had sprinkles donut and dad a tiger's milk bar. Dad and you had time just you and him coloring, reading, and eating.

You came to class saying "I am already 4!": When we were all together that evening, we went to "play" only at your choice place. You politely reminded us "no thanks for pizza" so we hung out/ate at home first.

The ball blast was your favorite game! The team work meant we were all throwing multiple balls at once at the targets :-) full of laughs and giggles!

Happy Birthday!

Back to pool!

We tried to get back to swimmin' in february, yet the water was still chilly. brrr. So, in May, we're back on track and getting in the water often.

Memorial Weekend was no exception...
The four of us are so glad to refresh and exercise this way.

Butterfly beauties

We visited butterfly jungle again this evening and this time rather than us being a rest spot for those beautiful creatures, the butterflies were our haven.

Not one butterfly landed on any of us, yet their beautiful flutters and delicate patterns were a reminder of God's gifts to us - priceless creations. Having a chance to sit back and admire the hills, canyons, animals on the Journey Into Africa bus was relaxing. Reflecting on God's presence in this was a mini-respite for my soul.

Air & Space Exploration!

We really appreciate how God blesses us and knows are hearts desires. We were blessed with tickets to the Air & Space museum - a place we had on our "hope to do list" for quite some time! Thank you for a special day. Here are the boy's picks for planes. First one was military: Next one was sharky: "Climbing" into Apollo 9:
Apollo 9 balancing act:

"Spirit of St. Louis":

First Day at the bay this season

Pete and I feel so blessed that the boys enjoy passing time doing many of the same things we did before they were born - ocean walks, wooded exploration, lakeside adventures, animal antics, and bayside beaches:

diggin' and constructing a "pool": Shovelin' away:

Fluttering About!

It was so delightful to be a resting spot for beautiful butterflies while at the Butterfly jungle.

Our younger son danced around his dad while he sang "You have a butterfly on you!" and one landed on the singer's head (hee hee!):

Up close:
Hoping to be "a hand" and a resting place:
Nine butterflies were counted on Pete at one time, but the photo was missed:

Til next year, our butterfly friends!

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

Our younger son asked for me to play the song "He came from heaven to earf to show the way, from the earf to the cross my debt today, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high. Lord, I wuv to sing your pwaises!" But we don't have that song...so we looked it up on You-tube.
Both boys were enthusiastic about "linking" the song to the blog for ourselves to listen to whenever we want {click on the title above to hear it}

Nite Lights

At the end of a very rainy and windy day, we bundled up and headed out for a night at the World. [TJ & CJ, we r SO thankful for these gift passes!!] It was a memorable night out as a family ~ my favorite activity was watching the fireworks!
At the Shamu Rocks! night show, Our older son SO SO wanted to be on the "big screen". He picked out our seats and we got to work at looking excited to be there - flashing our GLOW lights and clapping hands! Here he is concentrating on getting the foot stomping, lap slapping and hand clapping to the music:

His wish come true!!! Our family was the first one to appear on the big screen! I wish I had a picture of us up there ~ we've got our memories though.

Kids movie nite

movie nite courtesy of the kids' imagination. location: their closet. check out the hands below: