A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.

Deer Season

We have two cameras, and one smart phone, not to mention we live with my in-laws who also have cameras and smart phones. You would think then that I could get a picture or two to show you whats been happening around here. That is what you would think, but you'd be wrong. I can't. I won't bore you with the various reasons why I can't. Just trust me on this one. Photos will be coming soon. I promise. Maybe tomorrow? Soon. 

This past weekend was opening of deer season. Joey headed out with the three boys and did what they do when they go hunting. Eat lots of good food (prepared by their wives) and walk around, shoot stuff and catch up on life. I am so glad they got the chance to get away. Joey has needed a break, I am thankful for all his hard work on our families behalf. He deserved the chance to go shoot stuff. 

I have to confess I really enjoy hunting season. Not only do I get to have time with just my girls, but I don't have to cook an organized dinner or wear matching clothes. I can spend the whole weekend in sweats if I want to. Folks, that is an amazing thing. 

Every hunting season us women try and think of projects to keep us busy. This year I tackled the "too much stuff" project. I ran across this blog post a couple weeks ago and ever since it has been marinating on my brain. I decided to go for it and gutted the toy room and both kids rooms. You should see the back of our van, overflowing with stuff we just don't need! It is liberating to say the least. And don't worry about the boys they came home, looked at the toy room asked where a specific toy was, accepted that it wasn't there and then joyfully began playing with their matchbox cars - one of the few sets of toys I kept. See they never needed that ol whatchamacallit anyway.

It sounds like the boys had an excellent time hunting with Dad. I love hearing all the different activities they loved. Eating yummy food, sleeping in the tent with Bert, our outdoor only dog. And my personal favorite story is about the kids playing hunting with Josiah being the dead deer. The details of this game are ridiculously hilarious and involve rolling down a hill. This is one of the main reasons I LOVE having boys.Where do they come up with this stuff?!

All in all life is good. I do hope I get to document some of this life soon. Like I said I promise to show you when I do :-)

Happy Anniversary - 9 Years

As we were talking last night Joey and I commented that 9 years was a little anti-climactic. Its not really that much different than 8, or 7 before that. Another year has come and gone and while this past year has been FULL of incredible blessings, this years anniversary is nothing extra exciting. 

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing about being married to my very best friend that isn't exciting, amazing and wonderful. Our 9 years have been full - 5 houses (3 of which were in a different country), 5 kids (3 of which were born in a different country), 3 or 4 dogs, a couple trips around the globe, and adventures in between...But sometimes anniversary's are ordinary and that is ok. Today as I reflect on those nine years I find myself grateful for the ordinary. I am blessed and loved here in the midst of ordinary life and that is a big deal. Our marriage has prospered over the last year of "ordinary" and more than ever I find that I can't imagine life with out Joey by my side. I have been changed and sharpened through this relationship and Lord willing that sharpening will continue for years to come. 

Tonight we'll have dinner surrounded by our 5 little blessings and we'll celebrate when God made our family 9 years ago. There won't be fireworks or an extravagant dinner, but I couldn't ask for anything more.

Summer, Summer, Summertime

Ah, summer. Its been fun. Its been busy, but mostly fun. Swimming, playing, camping, riding bikes, late bed times, ice cream often, movies almost any time. Yep. Good times. 

We have been so blessed to have been in the states for another summer. I love listening to the sounds of kids running through the woods and jumping on the trampoline. Cousins everywhere, sun shining. Life is good. 

Summer is just about over for us. School starts up a week from today. Since we are homeschooling we could really start whenever, next Wednesday is just the day that most of the cousins start back to their school, so it made sense. I'm not sure how I feel about school. I am excited, homeschooling is such an exciting thing for me, but nervous too. There is lots to sort out and still so much that I need to do around the house. That is life though, isn't it, always more to do :-)

We got to go camping twice this summer. We love to float down the river. So much fun!

 Phoebe and I enjoying the sun.

 Its amazing what keeps them excited and entertained.

 Kallen & Kynlee our Oregon cousins came up for a week of day camp. Seriously TOO much fun!

Monday Picnics with the cousins. We might just keep these up into the fall :-)

On The Water

On Saturday some friends invited us to their water front property. The house use to be the mess hall for a local brick factory that is no more. It has seen better days, but the location on the water is hard to beat. 

When we arrived they were gathering clams and washing them off. Josiah and Benson had never seen such a thing and spent a half and hour waiting for the clams to open up and move and then spit at them. Their laughter was amazing.

  

Our friends had a small racing sailboat and Joey took it out for a spin. He's sailed before but on a MUCH larger boat. This little boat was quick to respond and zipped across the water. At one point we watched as the wind grabbed the little boat and tipped it over. Luckily he is fast and he scrambled up the side and clung to the bottom side of the boat. He could hear out friend who called out instructions and was able to set the boat right. It was a sight to see.

Phoebe loved the beach.

 

 As the sun set we started skipping rocks and roasting marshmallows. It was a warm night and so nice to be down by the water to cool off.

Hopefully we'll get a chance to head back and try out the sailboat again. 

Ah, summer days!

So Far In July

As always time is flying by. Its already approaching the middle of July and I barely feel like we've gotten into summer. We have enjoyed some sunny weather so far this month and its been great.

 

For the 4th of July we traveled down to see my family and stay at their lake side property. As usual I enjoyed our time so much I didn't take very many pictures.

We realized that we hadn't been in the states for the 4th since 2008. In fact our kids didn't really know what fireworks were other than big firework shows that they had seen on TV and at Disney Land. It was fun to introduce them to old school fireworks like sparklers and firework tanks.

It was a good weekend and we're looking forward to the next time we get to head down there again. 

In other July events Isabelle has discovered pockets and loves wondering around the house singing with her hands in her pockets. It is adorable to say the least.

Phoebe has started solids. Its a slow start and I find myself forgetting how to do this whole solids thing. You'd think I'd know after 5 kids, but my brain is pretty much shot. Not to mention all the food we eat in Morocco naturally lends itself to baby food. Not so much here in the states. So far she's enjoyed Squash and some Banana

 

We also took the boys to see Despicable Me 2. I loved getting to hear them laugh at the minions and all their crazy tricks. They enjoyed the movie, but decided the first one was better. I think I'd agree with them. The minions though, are the best part of both movies and I look forward to the rumored "Minion Movie" coming someday.

Silver River of Joy

Who would have thought that a box of cheap tin foil would bring so much joy to a group of boys? Until pinterest came along I NEVER would have considered it bringing much of anything to anybody.

 

A couple of weeks ago I saw something on pinterest about making a river using the hose and tin foil. So I bought some foil and waited for a sunny day. Today was the day. We found a good hill and laid out the foil giving it a few twists and turns. Then we worked on strengthening the sides and making a few rapids. The cousins were over and got in on the action. 

We tried racing cars down the shiny river, because cars should be tried out on everything - all the time, but they were too heavy. So we got nurf gun bullets, small pieces of wood and anything else that might float. They had so much fun racing the sticks and seeing who would get stuck on which rapid. The yard is a bit waterlogged now in that spot, but the grass could use some liquid and its so warm I am sure it will be gone in no time.

The silver river is waiting in the yard over nap time for the next round of excitement. Praise the Lord for sunshine and praise the Lord for tin foil!