Happy Birthday!

We want to wish Pete's Granddad a very special birthday! Happy Birthday Granddad! We love you!

another quick update

Our computer should be done early next week, so I thought I'd give a quick update again. Next week, I'll put some pictures on the blog , but I wanted to announce that Alex made Treasurer this week. Yeah! He was so nervous to give his speech, but he did such a good job! He is really excited about performing his duties.....the one he seems most thrilled about, is helping out at school movie night.
We did find out that Alex needs to have a little surgery done in the next few months to help repair the hole in his ear drum. They have been monitoring it for the last 6 months and had been putting a paper like "band-aid" on it every few weeks, but it is not healing. He has not liked that office procedure, and even though it has not really been painful, his patience has definitely worn off. So, he is relieved that they will not need to put the paper in his ear anymore. The surgery will be simple, and the same doctor that did my thyroid surgery will do it. We love him! He is so kind and has become like a family friend to us all. We'll probably wait until January or February to do it, since there is not a real rush, except for needing it to be done before summer and being in the water! We'll keep you all posted.
Pete is at the men's retreat this weekend. He just left and is so excited to be with the guys and be in the Word together.
Last night we went to the Todd Agnew/Rush of Fools concert. It was awesome. A late night, but well worth it.
The kids and I are going to sleep in, stay home, and enjoy a little down time this weekend. Hope everyone is off to a good fall!

computer crash

yes! We are all still alive. Our home pc crashed last week. We lost everything on the hard drive. Weird! We are trying to decide if it is worth it to send it away and have it all recovered....could be a trip to Hawaii!!! Anyways, the computer is having a new hard drive installed, so I should be back up and running soon. Right now, Pete is being patient in sharing his lap top with me. I just wanted to give a run-down of some highlights for now though.

~Allie made the volleyball team last week
~Michael made the soccer team last week
~Alex is candidating for school treasurer
~I am spending more time in the car than if I drove to Sacramento each day(ok maybe a little exaggeration)
~Pete started soccer
~It's finally under a 100 degrees, and tonight I'm opening all the windows!
~Fall is busy, but lots of fun! Yeah for Routines!

Guess that's all for now. God has been teaching us so much this fall, I look forward to sharing soon!

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