Last Night

This is what we watched from our window last night. I knew I wouldn't to be able to gt any phenomenal shots due to the streetlight right outside the house, and the lack of a tripod, but good enough to get the idea anyway. It lasted pretty long and they had some really neat ones. We live so close to where they were held, we did not even have to go there to get a good show, it was sooo loud, and we could sure smell them.

Randomly Recent

The Fraser at Mission, Carly loving riding in the truck, and the kids at a local lake we went to a year end homeschool picnic at on Monday.

A is 3

A was so excited about her Bday today. She got to wear dresses today, one in the mrning, but it got spilled on so she put on another. We went to Build a Bear Workshop were she got to build a bear. She picked the Hello Kitty stuffed toy. It was really cute to watch her help build the bear. We had a hard time picking out its clothes, the boys had their own idea of what is should wear, finally she decided on PJ's since it will be Hello Kitties main job to cuddle her at bed time. As we walked through the mall she was on top of the world - telling people it was her birthday. Here are a few pics from today.

Somebody's One

Took B out to take some shots of him this morning. Going for the Urban Acid look in these...He didn't want to look at me, but a got a few. So in these he is one year old. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. He has grown so fast. I can't believe it was a year ago that I was holding him as a sweet little new born.

Hey Everybody

The photography community at one my favorite websites has been going on about photos being stolen from blogs and galleries and posted by creeps, sold on ebay and other stuff. Not that anybody would want to steal photos from here and sell them! But I have been thinking of this for a while now. Too many strange people out there, so, I am going to be chaniging this blog and I think you will need a password to view. I love being able to share stuff from our lives with you all, so email me and I'll let you know the details.

Lately

Our recent trip to White Rock with our good friends the McNabbs.


I KNOW someone is missing from this picture. Benjamin was already buckled into his car seat, and we didn't want to disturb him while the others finished their ice cream cones.

I Have Pictures

But I am unable to post any right now, blogger just isn't working or something. I'll try to post them later, but I had the same problem earlier today too. But I really do have stuff to post so check back soon.

I'm going to try

to post this adorable you tube vid. Not a you tube fan but I am a sucker for cutesy little otters.

One More Thing

Found this activity on a message board the other day, and think we'll do it this year (maybe not the beating the pecans part, my kids don't need any violent ideas!) So thought I'd share.

EASTER COOKIES

To be made the evening before Easter Sunday

You need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper baggie
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're
half done with the recipe)!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden
spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested.
He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 tsp. Vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar
to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar.
Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.
Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very tastey.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because
He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks
are formed.
Explain that the color white Represents --in God's eyes -- the purity of
those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was
laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a Bite.
The cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open
and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

Random Tid Bits

David and i have been switching computers so much lately that I don't have any pictures to post, but thought I'd just write about some random tid bits. Benjamin is currently sick with the flu. But, he has been doing so good with walking and would rather attempt to walk between two points in the room, then crawl. Sometimes he makes it - sometimes he doesn't. So he is walking like crazy. Ethan is reading words now. He likes to do things is his own time, and he has know letter sounds for quite some time, but now he puts them together. Averie is recognizing letters (not all of them yet), and putting two and two together with letter sounds ie; "Beppe starts with bottle" haha "pillow starts with Pake" How funny she is. Joshua is a crazy reader. Sometimes he'll read things, and I'm thinking "how can a little guy like you read that?" He races through books. He just started Robin Hood from classic starts two days ago and is on chapter 12. If only he was as excited about his writing. David is still sick, and is taking antibiotics. He had a fantasic time in Seattle handing out food to the homeless people with his students and helping out at the UGM, and Salvation Army. God has been doing some awesome things with the Union Gospel Mission down there - lives are being changed. How awesome. I'll post a link to his seattle blog when he gets it up. I'm in the middle of a few projects that are a bit stressful to me, but I'm trying to focus on what's important in life. I am stoked about Easter! Thankful for God's love. And since some people may be wondering why celebrate the resurection of Christ since his "bone box" has supposedly been found? I might like to comment on that briefly too. Well, hmmm. If he did not rise from the dead, I am left to wonder who may have taken his body? The pharisees? The romans, or the chrisitans? If the pharisees took his body, all they needed to do to stop the "christian movement" would have been to produce the body. So, if the Roman's took his body...well...same as above. If his followers took his body, (which would have to be the case if his bone box was burried with his family), well then why would they have allowed themselves to be tied to stakes douced with oil and burned as latterns and the victims of countless other less than pretty procedings. if they knew Jesus hadn't risen and wasn't God they surely never would have given their lives up for that cause. People will die for what they believe to be true, but they don't die for what they know to be a lie. So think about it. Who took his body then?
Hey, I said this was random tid bits!

And Now for Todays News

I have been so happy to have seen the sun the last few days! I'm not sure if I've ever been so excited to see spring arrive - Cherry Blossoms and everything! We went searching for garder snakes at a local hiking path.
Found lots, caught 1!

Little A

All my little ones are growing up too fast. I wish there was more of me, so I could spend more time enjoying, and still get the house relatively clean.LOL

Oh the Joy

Av. got a Haircut

I don't have pictures of the back yet, but Averie got a bob. From behind she looks like me when I was little.

Baby Steps

Benjamin started taking his first steps a while ago, but now he's moved up to taking 5 or 6 steps in a row. Yay Ben!

Misc. Ramblings

Well, since nothing overtly exciting has been going on around here, I thought I'd just post a couple pics taken this past week. E & Stripe the mouse. And Averie, she was trying to be mad at me, but it didn't last long once I was trying to take a picture of it. Have a good weekend and for those who get it , a great Spring Break. Hopefully we'll be up to something and we'll have great pictures to put up. I tried to make A's pic a smaller file. But it just ended up being lower quality but still big. Hmmmm.

Field Trip

Today E's H.S. group went on a field trip to PetLand. Everyone had a good time, holding pets, talking to the parrot...
It was funny when Ethan informed every listening ear that turtles can't come out of their shell, because their shells are fused to their backbones. We have been studying reptiles over the past couple of weeks - and I never realize how much Ethan retains.

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Ethan holding the Gecko. We currently have an empty fish tank, maybe we could get one....I'm proud I didn't come home with another puppy. They had an adorable alaskan malamute pup that was calling out to me.
A. loves Bunnies and wants one, so not only did she get to where the brand new vest Taunte Heidi knit for her (mom & dad just sent it in a parcel - got it last night - I'll take a better pic of it when I can), she got to hold a bunny . Does it get any better?

Scraps

I'm so excited I had some time to scrapbook this weekend, and taking some advice from bigpicturescrapbooking.com I decided to take a break from all the pictures I am behind in, and scrap something here and now. So I began a mini album. I always want to do this, but feel like I can't until I am up to date on all the chronological stuff. bigpicturescrapping.com is helping me change my philosophy on that. Scrapbooking is supposed to be fun, and not burdensome. And trying to get those photos into books has been rather cumbersome. I didn't get a lot of pages done - we are all sick right now - but I had FUN! Lots of it. My hands got stained with walnut ink and white paint, just the way I like it! Here's a couple pics of what I'm working on.

Peek a Boo

Some one decided to give Benjamin his bowl of food, while I was out of the room. He thought it would be fun to play peek a boo using his bowl. It made for a big mess and some great picture taking opportunities.

Funny Faces

Benjamin just discovered he can make funny faces and get a laugh, here are two of his preferred looks.

One More Messy Picture

Hope you all are having a great saturday. We are. David has Ethan and Averie running errands. Josh and I have been mopping, washing windows, doing puzzles... I have been hearing a lot of my two favorite words "Ok Mommy".

A Little Bit of Spring

It was so nice out yesterday. We went to a regional park and walked to the falls. I can't believe we live in a place where this is right in the middle of the city. How sweet is that?

Home Baked

Here is a sandwich we made with the bread Ethan And I baked this morning. No bread machine either. It made delicious tuna sandwiches.

When Ballerina's Dance too Much

If You Give A Baby a Marker

Chances are he's going to draw all over his face.