the last tournament of the summer

Just in case you can't tell who is who in the slide show below.....Michael is pitching and Alex is catching. It was a great weekend of baseball. The boys gave us some memories that will forever be some of my favorites. One, definitely was watching Alex go to Michael for a pitcher/catcher meeting in the game. Even though we didn't know what they were saying, it was so sweet to watch them encourage each other without any prompting. Michael also made a lay out catch as shortstop....it was so sweet. Now I am bragging, but that's what moms are suppose to do, right? well, these will be the last baseball pictures for a while, so enjoy!

Check out my Slide Show!

Pete turns 21???

air soft gun war

Just in case some of you might not know what air soft guns are....they are guns that shoot little plastic bullets, similar to a bb, but far less painful. We now have hundreds of these bright colored pellets in our backyard. On Tuesday this week, it was unusually cold, and we had thunderstorms off and on all day. The temp was near 80, but my kids thought it was winter. Since they were SOOOOO bored and couldn't go swimming, I gave into one of Alex's wild ideas and let them go to "WAR" in the backyard. We got down winter clothes so they could arm themselves, ski goggles, ets. They brought the trash cans out, winter sleds, boxes, anything they could think of to hide behind. Here are a few pictures of them in action. Just for the record, they did clean it all up by themselves, and I got to clean the house for a few hours. So, yes there is something to be gained about letting them go all out somedays! And in case any of you think I am crazy for letting my kids shoot at eachother, no one got hurt!

Happy Fourth of July from our family ot yours!

being silly

catching some sun

Happy Fathers Day!

Fathers Day afternoon at Whiskeytown Lake

We love our Daddy! Happy Father's Day Pete!

We woke Pete up this morning with a McDonalds breakfast sandwich, (something that is rarely consumed in this house) and a newspaper. He was happy to relax and sleep in(something also that is rarely done in this house). Here is a pic of he and Allie before church this morning.

Release

RELEASE

When depair breaks through quiet waters,

I am swallowed in the uproar it heaves upon me,

I think,

That rest will only come when the sea is calmed.

But,

There is a despair that lingers in calm seas.

Anxious currents run beneath the apparnent glass.

When,

There is a confidence in it's stillness.

So,

Rest is sustained in releasing control

To that which maintained it already.

BHG 7-2007

my baby gets braces

Telling Dad about his "husky color bands" -Michael's idea to surprise dad!

Yes, his mouth is purple and gold!

End of the year parties!

poor Allie...the only girl, at this pary! (don't feel too bad for her:))

alex finishes third grade

alex with his teacher Mrs. Benda

Michael and Allie finish Elementary school

Allie's b ball team in the end of the year slide show, then Michael and "the boys" with Mr. Porter.

Viper Day!

the five dollar hot tub!

This is Alex's creation. The five dollar hot tub! He was so proud! It has been in the high 80's and low 90's....so not quite sure why you need the hot tub,,,,,but he filled this tub with hot water and was so proud of his solution to mom's desire for a hot tub. " mom, mom, you don't need to save your money for a hot tub, I made one for you!" Hate to break it to you Alex, but I won't fit in that tub.

family excercise

One thing I wish I could have done growing up is to learn healthy exercise habits. I want to teach this to our kids, but show them that it can be fun and also benefit your body. I want them to learn the balance of being healthy and taking care of what God gives you, without falling into the vanity trap of the fitness world today. So for the last few months, on Saturday mornings, we have been going on bike rides/runs. This morning....Allie and Michael and I did a 3 mile run. They walked very little of it....Go Michael and Allie. Sometimes we find it is them pushing us! Alex stayed at a friends last night, or I am sure he would have been pushing us faster. He is an energizer bunny! The kids and I are making a goal to be able to do our own Golden triathalon by the end of the summer. The goal is a 3 mile run, a 500 yard swim and a 5 mile bike run. (definitely a mini, for you adults) But my hope is that it will give us good talk time, a healthy summer, and the satisfaction of completing a goal together. We'll keep you posted...Ha ha! What kind of things do your families do to stay active??? Let me know if you have cool ideas!

we celebrate 12 years

one more crazy pic from Michael's party