Olivia Is Three

We started the "Three Year Old" celebration with a trip to the 

American Girl Store -- unfortunately without the camera.  

Grandma, Nana, Sarah, Livi, Paul and I drove to the Grove and shopped and had lunch.  

Livi got a Chinese bitty baby and named her Mei Mei (little sister in Chinese).

The next day -- her actual birthday -- Livi got her banges trimmed for the first time at the big girl salon!  Followed by dinner and cupcakes with some friends and family.

So cooperative!

Riding her new trike

Blowing out the candles

Pushing Mei Mei in her stroller -- love the hand on the hip!!

The Girls In Wyoming

Sarah, Livi and I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend 

with our dear friends in Wilson, Wy.

Such a beautiful time!

Livi and Caleb on the pond

Sarah and Kendall about to go on a trial ride

Relaxing in the hot tub

Erin and little miss sassy pants!

Painting the scenery

Loving the playhouse

Cruising the pond

Connor Is On His Way

He left from LAX this morning to go to Zurich for a week of fun with Auntie Pam, Uncle Markus, Nickolas and Julia.  

Then he is flying to Czech Republic to meet up with a group from our church.  They are going to Trinec, Czech Republic to lead a group of almost 50 10-14 year olds in an English speaking VBS program.  

We are so excited for this opportunity for him.  Trusting that God will have a big impact on the children and the team.  

We are going to miss him a lot!!  

The house is going to be much quieter without Connor around  -- no drums or electric guitar for almost three weeks.......

As we drove home from the airport I was thinking about not having to remind him to pick up, turn his socks right side out, take care of the laundry, etc.

Really starting to miss him, you know?    

We pulled into the driveway and opened the garage door and found -- 

Vintage Connor!!

Amps left out, mic on the ground, 

chairs not put away, guitar left out.

YEP, WE REALLY ARE  (really, truly, all joking aside) GOING TO MISS HIM.

Fun 4th!

I usually forget to take pictures during the festivities.  

I did get a few before things got started, though.............

Sarah and her badmitten skills.

Daisy relaxing before her nervous breakdown.  She doesn't care for fireworks, firecrackers, or any other loud popping noises.

 Hanging out....

Firecracker princess

Love watching big kids swing!

They like watching, too!

We Finished the 1800's

We've been doing a History Co-op for the last five years.  

The group has changed in shape and size over the years.  

We started out studying ancient history,

(Bible times, ancient Greece and Rome)

then we moved on to Medieval Times.

We then moved on to a year of the Renaissance and the Reformation.

Last year was World History during the 1700's.

This year we finished the 1800's.

A Victorian Tea

 Connor's Monet inspired painting.

Sarah's Monet inspired watercolor of a Jackson scene.

Next year...........you guessed it.......1900's!

Birthdays and Promotion Night

June is always a busy month!  

We start with Paul's birthday.

(Livi is dressed as a cowboy, fairy, bunny, ladybug-riding, princess!)

Next, its Promotion Night.

Before the big night, still at home.

Sarah promoting to the 9th grade!

Connor will be a senior next year!

Linda and Tim graduating Shealee!

Then Christopher's birthday.

Our baby boy is 21!  Celebrating with sushi.

Father's Day and our Anniversary are still to come........

Hello Neglected Blog

I know.............its been way too long since I have posted!  February to now seems like a blur.  Now that summer is just around the corner, I feel like I can breathe.

Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to.

Connor finished up Mock Trial.  

He did a great job as a prosecuting attorney.  His team went undefeated in the county competition.

Another great season of basketball finished up with a long weekend of games at the

California Home School Sports

March Gladness Tournament.

Sarah's team got second place in their division!

Connor got his driver's license...........

Paul's uncle and aunt joined us for Easter.

Livi and I are finishing up our Parent Toddler class.

Christopher finished up another semester of school and I love that he still likes to play with 

his brother and sisters.

So that's the last several months in one post.  I'll try to stay caught up from here on out.........