Dutch Brothers Or Bust

When you purchase a coffee at Dutch Brothers and pay with your debit card, they always ask, "Would you like your receipt?"

So...the other day I realized that maybe I have purchased one too many coffees at Dutch Brothers because upon pulling up to the window, my beautiful almost three year old said, "Mommy, do you want your receipt?"

Busy September

This month is almost gone! Where did it go? Our weekends have been full...a yard sale, a birthday party, a soccer game, an anniversary celebration, and helping friends move! Oh! That is where it went! :)

Our boys were THRILLED to have their own lemonade stand at our yard sale. They took their job very seriously. With daddy's business help, they figured out how much they would need to spend to buy their supplies and how much they would need to make to break even. They were so blessed by many at the yard sale that just gave them donations! Z thought that this was a great way to make a few extra dollars. Little B even got in on the action. While the boys were taking a break, she would ask everyone that approached, "Would you like some nemonade?" Who can resist an almost three year old? B would put her earnings into her pocket...too cute.

My wonderful husband and I just celebrated three years of marriage. We headed south to San Francisco for a few days in the city. We experienced riding the BART, a cable car, and our BIKES! Our first day was primarily spent at Pier 39. We had so much fun just wandering and spending time together.

On our second day we planned to go on a 21 mile bike tour around the city...starting at Pier 39 (yes, we took our bikes on the BART to get there), up to a fort, along the bay, UP to Golden Gate Bridge, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Presidio Park, down (and up) some city streets, to Golden Gate Park (beautiful)...somewhere around here is where we took a wrong turn...or maybe three or four. :) More hills to climb until we FINALLY found our way back on track. But not before we tried to board a bus to get us to the BART station only to find out that M's bike was too long to fit on the bike rack. Oh well! It just added to the adventure (ok...I can say that now, but while we were adventuring I was not too excited). Anyway...35 miles later we made it to a BART station and then pedaled back to our hotel just before sunset. We only have a few scrapes, bruises, and pictures to prove our ride! :) M says that I will definitely be able to ride the 60 mile Flat Flower this next year in Chico. Please notice that it is FLAT! :)

Our anniversary trip was amazing. We were so glad to get back home though...to our bed...to our quiet neighborhood...and to our children! Is it possible for kids to grow in three days? I couldn't believe how grown up they all looked! Oh to be home again...

Homeschooling Update

I am blown away by this blessing called homeschooling. We are so thrilled that God has brought us to this place. It is wonderful to be able to spend all day with my children...do not get me wrong...we are not just sitting at home ALL day! I want to give you a little glimpse into our days...are you ready? :)

Mondays - school work until lunch then Z has a drama class at the center for two hours


Tuesdays - school work until lunch (or so) and then electives at the local Christian school


Wednesdays - classes at the center (everything from cooking to science) from 9-12 then back home for a little bit of school work


Thursdays - a repeat of Tuesdays


Fridays - school work until lunch (or so) and home for the rest of the day!

The three amigos are enjoying a yummy snack during recess

It might sound a little crazy, but we are LOVING it! Little B is adapting well...what an answer to prayer. The boys are in heaven - they love to be able to decide which subject area to tackle first. They have so many options and are loving to make their own choices and go at their own speed. I just love to see the smiles on their faces each day.

I had to include a few pictures of something that Z was working on today. At his elective class he learned how to make tortillas. We were blessed to have some for dinner tonight. Here are a few pictures of the process and the outcome. They were YUMMY! The chef was so proud. So was his mommy.

Fair Time!

One of our favorite times of year is fair time! Every Labor Day weekend we venture up to the Intermountain Fair...a good ol' country fair. It is wonderful! There is something for everyone to do! I wanted to share a few of our favorites:

Relaxing in the shade...

Yes, that is Z soaring through the air...

Riding horsies and laughing when they talk back to you...

Experiencing spectacular fireworks...

Watching your nephew win the Diaper Derby...

Sack races...

Three-legged races...

And watermelon eating contests...

What Fun!

First Day Hooray!

Our first day of school was full of excitement! The boys were thrilled to finally begin! A knocked on our door fairly early to say, "Happy First Day of School!" That meant that I needed to get out of bed and take a shower. :)

Our first activity was to have devotions on the carpet during our circle time. Little B loved this! We sang songs that she knew and she got to sit on my lap. Happy times. The boys decided to give both of us bunny ears while daddy took the picture. Silly boys!

We then headed to the table to realize that we have A LOT of ironing to do... No, we didn't do laundry...we just have a lot of kinks to iron out! :) So, I may have some advantages in homeschooling, since I have taught in the classroom, but it is a different world! A dear friend told me that I will learn more about myself this first year than my children will learn. That is a SCARY thought! But I'm ready...Lord, what do you want to show me?

Ready or Not Here We Go!

Well, the countdown is about to end! I can't believe that we only have one day of summer left. We officially begin our homeschooling adventure on Monday, the 25th. We picked up all of our textbooks 1 1/2 weeks ago. My sweet A said, "Mommy, can we start tomorrow?" I love his enthusiasm! I politely requested that we begin on our actual start date so mommy could get ready. :) Z agreed wholeheartedly. He is not quite ready for his relaxing summer to be over.

Little B keeps saying, "We're having school at home?" "Yes, B, we are having school at home. Won't that be fun?" :) I don't think that she gets the whole idea yet. I pray that she will adapt well as our daily schedule is about to change (A LOT)! :) She wants to have circle time and sing, "Who's at school today?" - a song that she sang daily at preschool last year. That's a great idea! So, my poor fourth grader will be sitting during circle time singing preschool songs...the funny thing is that both boys will love every minute of it!

My prayer requests are that we will settle into a great routine...that B will adjust to having some independent play time...that I will be a blessing to my sons as we spend so much time together...and that the Lord will use this amazing opportunity in our lives!

I had to add a few fun pictures too! Enjoy!

B really likes to wear her brothers' swimming goggles...in the second picture she was trying to make a funny face...after I took the picture she said, "Let me see!" with a huge smile on her face.

B loves to apply lotion...just ask her great grandma...daddy was not too happy about this one, but mommy just had to take a picture! Later we found lotion on the headboard of our bed and on daddy's night stand. :)

I realize that in BOTH of these pictures Z is making the same silly face! :) What a ham!

Final Summer Fun

I am in shock that summer is almost over! The schools in our town are all set to begin this Wednesday! Yikes! Fortunately, we have two more weeks of relaxation to look forward to. We are starting to gear up though! Pencil boxes, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, and pencils have been purchased and we will receive our curriculum this week. We are ALL excited, but anxious to see what this will exactly look like for our family.

I promised an update on our VERY seperate end of the summer vacations...here you go! Unfortunately, I only have pictures from the Oregon trip to share with you though.

M returned from Mexico last night at 9:30. He was so glad to be home and we were thrilled to have our daddy back! Z and A kept saying, "We are FINALLY a whole family again!" Little B just threw her arms around her daddy's neck and gave him kisses. M had an amazing time on his 10-day journey. He learned a lot about himelf and interacting with highschoolers. He had wonderful experiences. I struggled with not being able to talk to him while he was away...whatever did we do before cell phones? :) I had sent a stack of letters down with my dear friend. She had her boys deliver one to M each morning at breakfast. M said he began to expect them and was thrilled to "hear" from his wife along the way. Thank you, dear friends, for making this possible!

The boys had a ball at First Mommy's. My sweet A lost a tooth while he was there and then another one the day after I picked them up! He is a little bit toothless right now and the tooth fairy has been VERY busy! Z had fun with his baby sister and learning how to advance in a game cube game. Oh to be 9 again!

Little B and I traveled all over Oregon during our nine days away. We first journeyed to Eugene to visit my beautiful cousin and her pets...that was B's favorite part! See two of them (fighting for their lives it looks like)!

Another stop in Eugene was with dear friends. M's mom has wonderful friends in Eugene and I could not imagine not meeting them myself! We have been emailing back and forth since M and I got married, so I felt that I already knew them! B and I went for a visit and had a great time. My only regret is that we did not get a picture. What was I thinking? We love you K and G!

We then headed down the coast to finally arrive at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house at the OCEAN! B has been talking about it for weeks now! "We going to the ocean? Right?" When we finally saw the ocean, B said, "Oh my goodness!" It is so fun to see life through her eyes.

Some of her favorite activities at Grandma and Grandpa's house were reading a farm book with Grandpa and wearing his socks!

We also headed back up the coast to Bandon to a Wildlife Park. There were animals roaming around and others in cages to view. Little B was able to hold a baby lioness and an opposum! This was probably the highlight of her whole trip!

Finally, on our last full day at the ocean we actually went down to the beach to play for a while. The weather was so cool that we wore jackets and did not even think of going in the water! :) B had a blast visiting with doggies, digging in the sand, and finding "cute" rocks and shells.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for an amazing last hoorah!