First Day of School

Well, summer is over here. All three kids started school today. Luckily we have been getting up pretty early, so it wasn't too painful. God has really blessed us with wonderful schools and teachers. Alex got the teacher we requested. He had her for second grade and she moved up a few grades, so we are excited to have a teacher we already know. He loved his first day back and was thrilled about the class pet, a chinchilla. I'm glad it stays at school! Michael and Allie had a wonderful first day. They came home excited and had so much to tell me. I can't believe they were not nervous for their first day of junior high. I remember being terrified. They love their homeroom teacher and are excited about the music classes. Next week Michael has soccer tryouts and Allie has volleyball, so we'll keep you posted. I missed my kids. And as usual, the house seems strangely quiet. Truly, God has blessed our children. I pray this will be a year that they walk strong in Christ and help light this dark world we live in.

My prayer for them...ITimothy 6:11

"But you , man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.."

Some of you have asked to see the website for Michael and Allie's new school. It is: http://www.ups.suhsd.net/ You can click on photos and see the school.

Hanging out watching a movie

The Sundial Bridge

Crazy fun week

Well, it has been a crazy, fun week. We have been to Water Works Park, the Aquatic center, Whiskeytown Lake, the skate board park(numerous times), The Sundial Bridge, Sun Oaks, The movies, In and Out, The Castle Crags, and Mossbrae Falls. I think that's about it. We have had a great time getting to know Taylor all over again. He has been a blessing to our family and seems like "just one of the kids now". Although, I guess he's a little old to be lumped in as a kid! We will all miss him when he leaves tomorrow. More than all the fun places, and activity, it was just great to all hang out together. We have had beautiful weather this week, with bright blue skies-not a cloud in sight and 95-99 degrees. So thank you Jesus for keeping everyone safe, healthy and happy this week.

And next time around, I think we owe Taylor(and his family) a visit....but we all agreed, it should be at the "beach house"! Hey, next time around, he might be driving. Scary. That's all for now....

One more of Michael

Michael's baptism

More of Alex's baptism

forgot to post these

When we were at camp, Michael and Alex were baptized. It was awesome! Pete got to be right there, helping them go under. It was such a special time for our family. We praise God for the work He is starting in their lives!

A Great Day!

The Falls

hurrry and take it, we can't feel our feet

brrrr....It's cold!

Walking to Mossbrae Falls

A heart in the sky! Cool!

Allie identified all the plants for us!

On the trail

Pete and I

Mom and the boys

Beautiful!

At the Creek

More from Castle Crags

Showing off CA to our cousin Taylor!

Pete's cousin Taylor is here visiting from the East Coast. We have had a busy visit already, with lots of fun times. Today was "hiking day". We took off and ended up in Dunsmuir, CA for a hike around the Castle Crags. It is a beautiful granite rock formation. The hike was cool and beautiful and we ended up in a creek,,,,that was cool! Then, we got back in the car, ate pizza at a very small town pizza shop and ended up on another hike. We walked about 2 miles down some train tracks to get to Mossbrae Falls....Beautiful! 150 foot wide falls. The water was so cold that Pete said when he jumped in, he could barely breathe(I took his word for it). So, our feet are a little sore, but it was a wonderful day.

Happy Birthdays Trish and Sherry!

Happy Birthday Girls! Thanks for such a fun night!

my little author

This is the picture that Alex wanted me to take for "his profile". He is writing another book.(something he loves to do) So now he is working on his profile for the back cover. Allie is doing the illustrating, which makes for some interesting conversations. (with Alex as her boss) Pete and I are trying to find a way to get it published for him for Christmas. He is so excited about it, and spends every waking moment working on it, and telling us about it. Since every time he writes a new chapter, I have to read the whole thing over again, I pretty much know it by heart....:):):) Who knows maybe someday he really will be an author. He credits his Uncle Tim in the profile he wrote for being his inspiration and the author he wants to be like...So there you go Tim, you have a fan club starting.