A little slice of Heaven

Walking into town in Carpinteria
Nice, Jaden

Steve's rock art-he did it with all of our names

The bridge near our campsite

Surprise, you caught a shark

This past month has been extra special. It started with a trip to Oceanside for a few days to see my parents while they were vacationing there. We stayed right on the beach and had such a blast. Then this past week we went camping on the beach in Carpinteria in my cousin's RV. I'm still lamenting that it's over. It was almost the perfect vacation. My cousin Julie and her family were there for the first half of the week then the second half of the week was just our fam. We spent our time sitting on the beach, eating and then sitting on the beach some more. Steve, Jon and the kids did tons of fishing. Jaden, Steve and Christine even caught little sharks and Luke caught a Halibut. Altogether about 50 fish and right off the shore! It was truly the best family time we have had in a long time. We were able to just linger and enjoy each other-we spent most of the time on the beach but we also walked to town a few times, fed ducks, read, and watched The Office and Nacho Libre in the RV (such refined taste.) There were many times I would have liked to freeze time. I hope we can do it again soon. With our family size it is becoming the only vacation we can afford. Now it's back to real life again. Not quite back into the swing of things but getting there slowly. This Friday Steve, Christine and Drew go to Mexico for a weekend mission trip so maybe I'll catch up then. Thank you, Lord, for this crazy, wonderful life.

Mom and Dad

We celebrated my dad's 64th b'day the other night at Macaroni Grill. I love these pictures of him and my mom. I feel so blessed to have them live just a couple miles away. They are always so loving and patient with my kids-such a blessing to our lives.

Face lift for the boys room

My boys room has needed some TLC for a while. Steve worked on it a couple weeks ago and gave it a major facelift. I love it so much (and so do the boys.) I still have a lot I want to do in there but it's getting closer to the beach room I've always invisioned.

My Drew turned 11

His new fishing pole

he was so nice to make me a list.......

One of my favorite picts of him as a baby

His very special shark pinata that Steve made for his 5th B'day

In my tummy

My Drew turned 11 last week, how can that be?!? We had some of his best friends sleep over in the tent in the backyard. They had so much fun-I love that he still gets excited about capguns and star wars. He has been such a blessing to us since he was born. Not that we haven't had our challenges; but there is something about him that is so endearing. He reminds of my brother in so many ways ,but one of the biggest ways is that he is such a people magnet and gets along with so many personality types. Thank you, Lord, for this precious boy you gave us to take care of.

"I say night night to boys, mommy!"

Every night when we get Livy ready for bed she goes through this whole routine where she has to give the boys a hug and kiss goodnight. If we dare try to put her to bed before she does this she says over and over, "I say night night to boys, mommy!" It's so precious, I can't stand it!!

First Week of School

Our first day of school was last week. Its good (and hard) to be back in the swing of things. Homeschooling can be so totally overwhelming sometimes and there are times that I feel I cannot do it anymore (ask Steve, he usually gets the brunt of the breakdowns,) but when I come to my senses I realize how grateful I am to have my kids home with me during these precious years. I hope and pray that the Lord will be honored and my kids will be blessed because of it.

The kids first day at the Huckleberry Learning Center

Our first day of school at home. The kids opening their annual "first day of school presents." They scored this year
Our first day at our coop. We get together one day a week with our friends and do History and Science together

Luke and Megan

Mary and I have talked often of how blessed we feel with the special relationship that God has given Luke and Megan. They are 5 weeks apart (and I think two feet, too) and they are as close as can be. The best thing is they are so content just hanging out together and playing with their Playmobil sets, gardening, playing on Webkinz and many other things. I can't think of one time they have argued or fought. Just one of the many reasons I feel "overlyblessed."

My poor, neglected blog.

Steve took this past week off from work and for some reason I sort of took time off from everything, too. So, real life (school) starts next week and hopefully I'll be posting more. These are some picts from the past couple weeks that I love.

Too cute not to post

My Daddy

Sleeping Beauty

"Coley"

Boys just chewing the fat-What are they laughing about????

Peaches and Cream

Peaches are on their way out of season but if you can get a ripe one I encourage this yummy treat-cut them up and top with some fresh whip cream and cinnamon-a little bit of heaven.

You had me at Tempura

Friday night Steve and I were able to have a date night!!! I can count on one hand how many times that has happened in the past couple years. So, we were very excited. We ate at a really great Japanese Restaurant; we sat on the patio and it was so heavenly. I had brought my camera and the whole evening we were just taking picts trying to figure out which setting is best for which shot.- Our meals were deliscious. Of course, Steve ordered the sushi platter. I, however, ordered a combo meal that came with tempura and that's all that really mattered.

Beautiful Boys

My cousin, Shayna, has two little boys, Wyatt and Weston. They are absolotely gorgeous and I can't resist taking pictures of them.

Special Picts

I just love these pictures I have of Steve kissing each one of our babies when they were born, they are such a treasure to me. So, I ordered this lettering to go above them and I just love it. The other picts are of both sides of our family.

Picts from this past week

Christine Elise

My Lukie boy

Playdough time

Livy and her ponytails

Life has been real slow-in a good way. School is starting in a few weeks and I'm despartely holding on to these last summer days. I'm hoping to get a lot done when Steve is in South Carolina next week. These are a few picts from this past week.