Catchin' Up....Halloween

Sorry....man, am I behind! Here are a few shots from Halloween.

Camping pics 3-Family Time

The alligator stump. Shelby was a bit afraid the first time she saw it, thanks to her daddy's teasing that it was a real alligator.

Daddy and Baby at sunset.

This shot was taken with Jeff's iphone. Sometimes he takes better pics with that thing than I can with our camera!

The evenings were, by far, the nicest part of the day. The marine layer burned off about 4pm and it was beautiful. That's when we enjoyed long walks.

Camping pics 2- TIDE POOLS

So there were some REAL tide pools at Carpinteria Beach. I don't mean the kind that only had dried out sea anemones (though those were there), but we actually saw some cool sea life! Thanks to Jeff's iphone, Shelby and I did a little research one afternoon, learned some definitions, and some specific life to look for. And wahla! WE had a field trip on our hands. Yeah! Thanks, God for putting your amazing creation in a place so easily accessible to us!

The tide pools completely disappeared at high tide, which was around noon. You couldn't even see the tall rocks under the surf. That was the time to enjoy watching the seals and dolphins swim by. It was like a wildlife excursion! Great for a new homeschool mom like me.

Camping pics 1-CHEESE!

Ashley has a new "cheese" pose. I have no idea were it came from, but it must be something she learned at the beach. She thinks she's awfully cute doing it though.

I like the old school look of the above photo. It could have just as easily been taken of me or Steph when we were little!

Here is the closest we could get to catching her doing it. This post is really for Steph, so you can see what a big girl she's becoming!

Let the Homeschooling Begin

August 9, 2010 was a big day of adjustment for our family! Shelby started first grade, and since I am now her teacher, we all have a different schedule! Days one and two went well. I think if I can entertain Jason and teach Ashley some independence (which she definitely needs to know by January anyway) we will have smooth sailing! The second day my mom came up to hang out with the younger two, which made a world of difference. I have to say first grade is not hard to teach when your student is already reading. I think it will be lots of fun!

Oh, and so here is my "homeschool" room. It looks basically how I wanted it to, but it will be MUCH easier once we get the pool table moved and can set up another desk for Shelby. We're doing okay for now though!

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July! We had family fun this year! It is exciting to look at last year's picture and see the difference in the kids.

Shelby and Mommy made a Patriotic Cookie Pizza. Jeff spent the entire day BBQing yummy stuff. It is, after all, mostly about the food, right?

Most memorable fireworks moment was Ashley's reaction. Surprisingly, she wasn't afraid, but kept saying, "WOW!" She must have said it a hundred times throughout the night. Fun to see her develop her own personality!

Fi-a-powa!!

Jason doing one of his latest antics. He does this at random, but of course, I had to bribe him to get him to do it for the camera. (From Night at the Museum 2.)

Six Years of Mommyhood

Shelby Lorraine is six years old today!

My sweet girl is so fun. She has the most genuine smile of anyone I know. She is so sweet to her siblings, especially the baby, and she is a very sensitive girl. She's also intuitive and smarter than you think. She figures things out quite quickly, which makes talking in code a bit difficult. I love her innocence and I pray that she stays that way. My hope for her over the next year is that she continue to grow in love and knowledge of our Savior and that she learn the joy that comes from working to serve Him. What a PRECIOUS gift Shelby is to our Family.

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Our Little Cupcake's First Birthday

"The Cousins" (minus the birthday girl)

Shelby 6, Presley 4, Jason 3, Cole 19 months

The fun cupcake pinata we found for our little cupcake's party. Well, this was for the bigger kids of course.

Ashley wanted nothing to do with the cake. She'd barely even try it! She enjoyed the singing and blowing out the candles, but no fun face-full-of-cake pictures for this little girl.

She DID however love the present opening! Ashley politely played with each toy. Go figure that what is usually the hardest part of a one year old's party, was the easiest for this little one!

Our family of five....hard to believe that next year there will already be a 6th added to our midst!!! Yep, in case you missed it, we are expecting #4!

Precious Beach Pics

When I am gone, leaving the kids with Jeff, he constantly sends me pictures on my phone to show me what I'm missing (I'm sure there is no guilt trip intended=)). Here were my favorites from when I was in Colorado. So sweet of my two big kids!

Happy Birthday, Ashley

Our baby girl turned one today. She is so sweet and we've really been enjoying her the last couple of months. She's very chatty and her favorite things to say are "turto" (turtle) and "uz zat?" (what's that). She just points to things and babbles about them. She started taking two steps at a time yesterday and is quite proud of her efforts! We look forward to the things God will do in her life as she gets older and gains understand of His faithfulness.

Our plans for her birthday are to take her out for pizza and chicken and maybe a cupcake. Happy Birthday, Ashley Sharon! We are so thankful for you!!!

New Baby, New Hair

"I can push the walker, Mommy!"

We are officially declaring Ashley a new child. She is SO happy, sweet, fun and NOT cranky! She tries new things and plays independently. We are enjoying her so much lately and I decided to give her fun new hair to match. Piggy-tails here we come!

Future Mrs. Melissa Case's Bridal Shower

After 6 years, Melissa will finally be a Case! Uncle Ryan will marry Melissa in May and she'll finally be Aunt Melissa. We got to celebrate at a tea house in Orange County.

Since we don't get to be at the wedding, which will be in Turks and Caicos, Shelby was the "showergirl" (since Presley will be the flowergirl). She felt special, getting a crown, and helping pass out games.

Little Ladies' tea table for two.

Ashley was happiest outside, using the porch to learn to cruise. She had a good view of the present opening from here.

Of course, opening presents was the most important job for the showergirl. She got to choose the presents and help open them. Thanks, future Aunt Melissa, for a day!

Easter Sunday

Baby's first Easter!

"The Three Musketeers" These cousins love each other so much and had lots of fun running around the back yard. Here, Presley is being the teacher and the other two are obediently listening.

Our almost 6 year old! She must always have an Easter hat. (She did not learn that from me!!)

Easter Advent 7- HE IS RISEN

"UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE, WITH A MIGHTY TRIUMPH O'ER HIS FOES. HE AROSE A VICTOR FROM THE DARK DOMAIN, AND WILL LIVE FOREVER WITH HIS SAINTS TO REIGN! HE AROSE, HE AROSE, HALLELUJAH CHRIST AROSE!"---as sung by Jason...his favorite song ever!

(so sorry this is a couple of days late. this is literally the first chance i've had to sit down at my computer since saturday night!)

Easter Advent 6- The Sabbath

(No candles today. It was a dark, sad day to those who didn't know what tomorrow would bring.)

Mat 27:62-66 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate (63) and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' (64) Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." (65) Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." (66) So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Luk 23:56 Then [the women] returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Easter Advent 6-The Sacrifice of our Messiah

Of course, I could have posted entire chapters from the gospels about today. But my favorite verse regarding Christ's sacrifice was written hundreds of years before Jesus was even born, which I think makes it even more striking.

Isa 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Easter Advent 5- The Last Supper, Betrayal, and Arrest

(the angel ministering to Jesus while he prayed and pleaded with God to spare him of his sacrificial fate, while the disciples sleep below)

Mat 26:26-29 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." (27) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, (28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (29) I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Luk 22:39-48 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. (40) And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." (41) And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, (42) saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (43) And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (44) And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (45) And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, (46) and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation." (47) While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, (48) but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

Easter Advent 4- Plot to Kill Jesus, Anointing Jesus's feet

(Jews plotting to kill Jesus...you can tell by his face, he's doing the best "Jewish leader" voice he possibly can.)

Mar 14:1-11 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, (2) for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people." (3) And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. (4) There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment wasted like that? (5) For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they scolded her. (6) But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. (7) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. (8) She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. (9) And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (10) Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. (11) And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Easter Advent 3-Teaching in the Temple and on the Mt.of Olives.

Mar 12:28-31 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" (29) Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (30) And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (31) The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Mar 13:5-10 And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray. (6) Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray. (7) And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. (8) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. (9) "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. (10) And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Disclaimer...you may notice that Roman soldiers also stand in as Jewish leaders. This is due to a lack of male dolls. Today we tried to dress them up so they look a little less Roman. =) Soon you'll get to see Shelby's dollhouse dolls be Mary and Martha.

Easter Advent 2-Curse the Fig and Cleanse The Temple

Mar 11:12-18 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. (13) And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. (14) And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. (15) And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. (16) And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. (17) And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." (18) And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Easter Advent 1-The Triumphal Entry

Every year I do an Easter Advent. Many of you probably get the daily emails. This year, I decided to simply update my blog daily with the verses and that way I can include a picture of our role-play everyday too!

Mat 21:7-9 "They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. (8) Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (9) And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

The Girls...

"Daddy doesn't need to hold me! I can hold him!!"
Yeah! She finally loves her daddy.

Shelby made Uncle Ryan his very own birthday cake from her Easy Bake Oven. I have to say the frosting is disgusting and produces about a teaspoon worth. Thank goodness for a tube of decorating chocolate I had in the pantry. It came out quite nicely!

"Low in the Grave"

This one is definitely for the Grandparents. This has been Jason's favorite song for over a year. He knows all the words and loves singing it before bed. Precious, I tell ya!

And the big kids....

Shelby's Valentines for her class....love and care went in to preparing each one, including a verse encouraging them to love.

The Valentine's Party at school was a special dress up day.

Entertaining ourselves at home.

He was so excited to go to the air park in East Palmdale. He was even more excited about the model airplane he got to take home with him.