landing in cancun

Given the novelty of airflight for our family, the boys are so glad to be involved in moving luggage!

Scorchin' Weather Swimmers

Thank you friends and family for positively fabulous pool time fun in the hot weather! 

We really enjoy being with friends and family poolside in summer time

Often photo opportunites went by uncaptured, yet we still have our memories with you! Thank you!

Firsts

First day heading out to the campus of our new school

Our book-devourer reading along the way

 Just enough time to play before the Flag Salute and singing America the Beautiful as a school.

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! 

 Hopscotch and Swings

 Off to class to make acquaintance with

some new faces

After a fun day:

 Hanging out afterschool with a pal from our previous school:

 Blessed with a playdate with our buddies after the first day on campus! Now,
we are at the same school :-)

Fire fighters! {narrated by Pete}

Our firefighter was kind enough to show Pete, Aidon and Josh around the fire station

They learned about the people that help our city protect our city's resources. This is a truck that is used to save houses and lives.

These are the gauges on the outside of the truck:

The engine of the fire truck with hundreds of horsepower

Hanging out in the work station

Inside the "burn building", a training area where fire fighters go to practice fire fighting techniques

Firefighters from Julian were at this facility for training

Outside view of the training building

This was an excellent first hand view of our community helpers. The best part was that it was one of many father-sons activities that Pete, Aidon, and Josh embarked together this fall.

Harvest Time!

A fall tradition we've enjoyed an excursion to local mountain orchards and gathering fruit. 

Last year, we missed the peak and there were few fruit left on the tree. 

Opening Weekend 2011, Here We Come!!

 I relish catching sight of the kids' delight in selecting wholesome fruit. 

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.



 We were taught about farm life on the orchards by the O'Dells. 

They were a remarkable couple who gave an hour chatting and sharing stories with us.

 We were all ears to tales about protecting livestock from mountain lions

Caring for animals by watering, feeding, cleaning, milking. Farming orchards is watering, irrigating, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting.

Admiring handsome horses:

 The four of us:

I smile on this occasion and am already energized for our next journey out here.

 I think they are too:

John 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 Our custom is to pick up some candy on our expedition home. We found a Candy Mine in these parts!

 The chosen jewels from the mine:

 Next day, in the middle of learning, an idea popped up to make fruit crisp, out of nowhere.

Lickety Split Idea!

We made the most of the ingredients we had on hand:

Final decree: Thumbs up!