School Has Begun!

Before we started school this year, we took one last field trip to Branson with our grandparents.

I realized, too late, that I forgot to take pictures the entire trip, other than these I got during the drives there and back, so I'll just summarize it real quick. The day after we arrived, we all went to the fish hatchery together. My favorite part was when we got to feed baby trout the size of my thumb. There were so many of them that when they swarmed the food you could barely pick out an individual fish. After that, we went to see the musical Jonah. It was AMAZING! But what was even cooler was when we got to take a backstage tour and see all the props for musicals they've put on in the past as well as the ones for Jonah. We did a couple other things in our spare time like, shop, play mini-golf, and eat lots of food. 

This was at a burger place on the way to Branson.

Ally and I rode home with Glynne and Kyle and had a bunch of fun laughing at Kyle dancing (and singing) in the front seat.

Then we got home. And got hit in the face with reality.

Yep. School.

Mom and Dad went through a bit of stress to make it possible for Landon to play football. Landon's doing virtual school and taking P.E. so he can be eligible to be on the team. He's already managed to pull his shoulder out of the socket three times! During the same practice. Yeah, ouch. Dad said he needs to exercise his shoulder, so it won't happen that easily again.

I bet Mom can't believe she still has to put this little one through school. And Jenna still has a couple years until she starts preschool!

This is how our house will look until next summer...bye bye table.

And window.

And mudroom bench.

And... walls. Yeah, It's really not that bad.

Now I feel like I need to write something dramatic to end this blog. Something about how even though there will be many... many trials through this next school year, God is always with us, guiding our thoughts and revelations back to him. And even though learning is very important in today's society it is most important to be using those new abilities to bring glory to God. Knowing that no matter what our grades are, if our progress and goals are for Him, we will succeed.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Kate's Eleven!

I took Kate out on a photo shoot the day before her birthday. She is almost all grown up. It's crazy.

For the party the next day, Ally and I set up a makeshift photo booth. The boys had about as much fun with it as the girls did.

Then Ally and I pampered them with a facial (that I concocted about three minutes before the girls got there) and freshly painted nails. 

I made the face mask with freshly brewed coffee grounds, a little sugar, baking soda, and vegetable oil. It was messy but a lot of fun!

          A little later, family started arriving, we ate dinner, Kate opened her gifts, and then Mom                                                  made us play four or five or her "fun" party games.   

Ally and I also decorated the bonus room for the girls to sleep in. It was pretty amazing. I think she had a great birthday. We love you, Kate!

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

This Ones for the Guys

So... I just found this blog I wrote last June... I thought I should probably post it now before it's too late. Oops!

Do you remember how Jack got a dirt bike for his birthday? Well, he wasn't quite big enough for it, so a few days later Dad got a call from Mom telling him that she saw a tiny little dirt bike just Jack's size (I think she was secretly looking for his approval) and Dad told her that she should get it for him.

He is the absolute cutest thing ever on his Yamaha 50.

The other boys are getting lots of air when they ramp their bikes. Crazy how just last year they were building little wooden ramps in our yard... How time flies!

Kyle was super proud of his new bike. He even let Landon try it out a couple times.

Drew amazed us all when he hopped right on the 110 and got some serious air!

So far there have only been minor crashes... but we would appreciate prayers for safety, and for Mom... that she retains her sanity.

 I have to post a couple more of Jenna's eight month pictures! So cute!

Thanks for reading!

I am not writing this to shame you, but to worn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

1 Corinthians 4:14-16