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:

Aquarium on the "hill"

We are so blessed to have received a family membership to this aquarium in a scenic place.

Water Art--typically the "highlight" of the visit:

Surviving a great white shark's mouth:

Getting aquainted with sea cucumbers:

man-made tidepools:

Sharing Beauty

My dear husband and I like to spend our alone-time here. We were passing through the area, and decided to share this "Beauty" with our kids.

They loved it too.

An actor "crying because he is in chains while in jail":
Our three guys:

Family Hike

Our first venture on this easy local hike was as a family and we completed it one morning before I went to work...pretty easy:

Beautiful view just a quarter mile into the hike:
Binocular boys! scanning squirrels [a.k.a "black footed ferrets"], lizards, birds of prey, and water fowl:

We also saw a remote-controlled airplane:

We enjoyed this view from atop of a flat boulder then headed back:

We asked the boys to "hug" for the picture- the surprise expression is too cute:

Last but not least:

Wheels

Family time @ the Community Park
President's week

Swim day ~ President's week

Relaxing

both boys were particular about "how" they carried their own towels:

Our family Valentine

Little present from mom & dad

silly squeezy too early in the morning to take pics:
Pete, our youngest son, & I woke up to a "set table" including breakfast, bowls, utensil, cups and napkins...a surprise courtesy of big brother!
Servant-hearts:

A Long Awaited First!

Aidon has been asking for years to be a volunteer in the show at his dad's work. The typical age of a show volunteer is 8 years old. At long last, his stage debut came a couple of years early. Since his fellow kindergarteners were there that day, dad made an exception and brought Aidon onstage for his volunteer debut.

Snuggle Up

For a date, Pete and I enjoyed a cozy fire during rainy weather. What fun to extend the warmth to family time. This night was our 3rd time around the fire for January. We enjoyed story time, popcorn and a crackling fire. Then joking and laughing with dad amidst the fire-lit room.