Time is a Flyin'

Today I looked at the calendar and realized that our summer is slipping through my fingers! August will begin before we know it! Next week, we have an appointment to get our school books for the fall, yes, that's right! School books already! To be honest, part of me is ready to begin. The other part is holding on to summer with all of my might!

During July we have cheered daddy on during his 100 mile bike race in my hometown, visited the creek, attended a family reunion, attended two weeks of VBS, and just plain spent time with each other! It has been loads of fun!

Water Works Park

We were blessed to be able to go to Water Works Park in Redding this week. We arrived at the water slide park a little before noon. The kids (and mommy and daddy) had so much fun! We rode on every attraction (well, at least Z and daddy did), we applied sunscreen over and over, we lounged in the Lazy Lagoon, and we ate a picnic lunch out at the car! In fact, we had so much fun that we did not leave until they closed the gates at 8:00!

I brought my camera, but found out VERY quickly that I had left the memory card at home. So, I was able to take three pictures. Oh well! You will just have to believe me when I tell you that we had a great time! :)

A Whispered Prayer

I was sitting at the computer checking my email when behind me I heard the sweetest thing. I turned around to see my 3 1/2 year old daughter, hands over her eyes, face down on her coloring book praying to Jesus. This is where I came in. "...and thank you Jesus for Jacob and Liam. Thank you for us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

After she ended her prayer, she picked up her crayon and continued coloring. What a sweet, sweet little girl. Childlike faith right here at my dining room table.

Yes, this is a picture of her peeling a cucumber in front of the refrigerator without asking mommy.

Girl Time

When the boys are away at first mommy's, Little B and I try to have some fun girl time. We usually go shopping, paint our fingernails, or do our hair. On this particular day, the hair salon was open. :) Little B brought out my brush and began to brush my hair. She then ran off to the bathroom to get her container of hair accessories. Before long, I had too many clips in my hair to count! The best thing is that I remember doing this with my mom when I was little! Then it was Little B's turn. Daddy decided to take a few pictures of our master designs. :)

Once our hair was completed, Little B decided to jump on the bounce house that we had set up in the backyard (thank you Grandma Goodie)! She jumped and jumped and jumped! Her favorite part was turning it off and letting all of the air out. She would then turn it back on and run into the middle of it and would stand there as it filled up around her. Too cute! I love girl time!

Animals, Animals, and More Animals

We had so much fun visiting a wildlife safari outside of Bandon, Oregon while we were on the coast. We even ran into a family from Chico Christian there! We live in a small world.

All three kids had so much fun visiting these animals. There were deer, goats, mini donkeys, and many other animals that just walked up to you! Little B loved following a little goat around in hopes of picking it up. Her wish was finally granted and boy was she proud!

A took this shot. The deer walked right up to his camera!

Z was not a huge fan of this lynx. I, frankly, didn't blame him! A and Little B didn't seem to mind it.

Z loved holding this baby leopard. He was pretty cute. Little B loved smiling for the camera.

The baby goat that Little B had her eye on the entire time. :)

Z even got to hold it.

Little B found a pretend horse after visiting with all of the real animals. I guess she didn't get her fix by petting and holding them. :)

Fun at the Beach

Brookings, Oregon is one of our favorite places to visit. Mostly because it is where my grandparents live during the summer monhts, but the ocean is such a fun place! Yesterday we went down to the beach and played in the sand and the water! It was so fun to watch the kids run away from the surf coming in...well, Z and A often challenged the surf enjoying the feel of the sand coming out from under their feet as the water returned to the sea. Little B didn't like falling down in the water, but continued to play afterward.

While we are having so much fun, we are also missing daddy. Our next Brookings trip will include him (thank heavens!)

Road Trip Beginnings

We began a six hour road trip to Oregon today. This time around it is one mommy and three children. Daddy had to stay home to work. We sadly left daddy this morning and hit the road. The ocean was waiting for us! We had many mini adventures along the way, but I will only share a few stories here.

After about two hours in the car, Little B said, "I am just so happy!" I asked her why she was happy and she exclaimed. "I am just so happy to go to the ocean!"

After about six hours in the car (please note that our road trip was supposed to be six hours total) we stopped (again) for a potty break. As I was buckling Little B in, I gave A a smooch and then blew Z a kiss. Z was blowing one back when Little B shouted out, "I have something on my finger!" She was holding up her pinky very upset. We asked her what it was. She answered, "His breath is on my finger!" Oh the joys of road trips...

...until next time.