On our way out of Missoula, MT, we stopped by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor Center. When Lily saw this likeness of John Wayne, she ran up to him and hugged his leg. We're not quite sure whom she thought he was, but she was glad to see him, nonetheless.
Kids' Day 2009
Kids' Day 2008
Ever since the day our patio roof collapsed, Phil has been planning and designing something to replace that metal roof over our patio. He decided to build a pergola so we could have some shade over the patio area, yet still enjoy a little bit of sunshine through the kitchen window that looks out onto the patio.
Here are a few pictures of our progress so far...staining and cutting the wood.
He also drilled these metal anchors into the concrete to hold the large corner beams.
The kids went to a pirate-themed Vacation Bible School last week. All week long Lily was afraid of the workers who dressed up as pirates. She had to be held by her teacher whenever she saw one, but for some reason she wanted to dress up like a pirate on the last day. Lily posed for this picture, intending to do her mean pirate imitation...fists clenched, and saying, "Arrrr!"
On the last day of Vacation Bible School, we attended a family carnival in the evening. Jared called it my "Anniversary Carnival" since it was scheduled on my 10th Anniversary. He really thought they scheduled it for that reason. He was so excited that I wouldn't have to cook dinner (they served BBQ hot dogs and chips) or do any dishes!
Lily doesn't look too sure about this pony ride business.
The kids got their faces painted at the Vacation Bible School carnival last Friday night. For some reason I didn't get a picture of Jared.
Here are a few photos of my latest project: our schoolroom. We converted the downstairs playroom into a schoolroom. We needed a larger area for school since the girls will drop their nap soon and join us for school this year.
Here's the Science Center,
and here's part of the Math Center and the Reading Corner. There's a shelf of books back there behind the math shelf.
Phil built this wall unit for me! Isn't it great? He built it in a day!
And here's our carpet area where I plan to do most of my teaching. We also have a table and chairs and an art center in the room, but I'm not finished decorating that side of the room.
Phil and the kids spoiled me this year on my birthday. The day was filled to the brim with so many beautiful memories, I'm not sure I could list them all. It was one thing after another: coffee and scones in the morning with Phil while the kids were at Vacation Bible School, a picnic at my favorite park, big, pink-frosted cupcakes and coffee at one of my favorite bakeries
...with all of my favorite little people,
reading books,
hiking,
watching the boys enjoy the splash pad, See's Candy, dinner out...
Last Sunday our family saw Rob Evans, The Donut Man in concert at a church here in Spokane. All four kids got to sing up on stage. Can you see Jared and Lily behind the kids in the front row?
We were able to enjoy a beautiful day up at Deer Lake, picnicking, kayaking, playing in the sand and visiting with a sweet family from our church.
Our last leg of the trip involved meeting up with Phil's family at a beautiful cabin in Big Bear. We had a great time relaxing and being together as a family.
A highlight for the grand kids was hearing Gramma tell her Sunday School Charlie story.
Becky, Morgan, Gracie, Lily and I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to visit the Disney Princesses in the Enchanted Forest. We thought maybe all of the princesses would be inside, but there were only 3: Ariel, Belle, and Mulan. Surprisingly, the girls did very well waiting in this loooong line. And I must say, it was well worth it! Look and see. The looks on my girls' sweet faces say it all...
I wish all of you could have been there to see and hear how excited Grace and Lily were to visit the princesses.
Showing Ariel their Minnie Mouse hats from Auntie Emy
Telling Ariel how old they are
Look how sweetly Belle is touching Lily's little face. I still get choked up every time I look at these pictures.
I thought this was rather humorous...my girls don't really know who Mulan is, so they didn't greet her as affectionately as they did the others. In fact, they look rather annoyed, don't they? Gracie has her arms folded, and Lily, with her hand on her hip, is probably thinking, This is it? Where's Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty?
