Octobuuurrr...

Here is the outline of our October, a little bit of everything going on.

Josiah is learning how to write ordinal compositions, or instructions to do a basic skill. So here we are learning how to make pizza according to Josiah's directions. It turned out tasty, one explicit instruction he had said, 'Add pepperoni, and then add a lot more!" Peter was in charge of spreading the sauce on the foccocia bread.



Elise managed the task of slicing the olives.



Another school project involved the characteristics of light. After learning about how light travels, how shadows are produced, and what light sources are, we spent some time conducting a shadow puppet play. Peter and Elise sit in anticipation for Josiah's skit.

Can you guess who these two puppets are by their shadow?

None other than Lucy and Charlie Brown and dog Snoopy. Our good friends have turned us on to the Peanuts cartoons and comics, and so Josiah did some of his favorite skits and comic strip reenactments. We all laughed at his production.

Outside of school we have been having some fun as well. Michael's 31st birthday was celebrated by us hosting a game night. We played cranium and a few disguised guests arrived. Below are Anna Marie Presley and her fourth husband Michael Lockwood.

Next we have "The registrar and her husband....uh- I think his name is Matt."

James Bond and his Russian beauty snuck into the night's activities.

Queen Mary and William also made a royal appearance.

One of the interesting elements of still going to college at this age is that intramural sports are still a regular part of the population's lifestyle. Jumping in the air to dodge an incoming missile, Mike, the 31 year old, is about to pummel his opponent with a rubber bouncy ball in the Saturday dodge ball tournament. Needless to say, his team took first place.

Peter is ready to go out for our daily walk. I never know who is going to accompany me, but it is always an adventure.

A personal adventure I had was excavating some ancient bricks from this old apartment that the Seminary is tearing down. I had put together a treasure hunt for the campus and decided to use these crumbled bricks as the location markers. A friend and I braved the rubble around 11 at night and had a fun time scavenging and being sneaky as security, locals and cops drove by the building. It reminded me of high school adventures to the old bridge in Manitou.:) You are smiling if you have been there.

Octoberfest was a wonderful event as always! Each year at the sem, they hold a party that is fun for the entire community. Mike enjoys a few minutes with Titus in the large baby bouncer, friend Samuel crawls over to join the fun.

Anne and I raced in the challenge course. It was so much fun!

Mary, Anne and I standing with some of our kids before the festivities.

Titus is bundled all up to keep warm on such a cool night. He also enjoyed the pretzels, as you can see in the pictures.

After many really rainy and freezing days, the sun broke free and it warmed up again. Finally the Indian Summer that we had considered lost. We spent some extra time outdoors to soak up the last rays of the year. Peter is just hanging around after school... note the brilliant red leaves. Since this picture was taken, all the leaves have transitioned, and most have fallen! It makes it hard to find lost light sabers in the backyard!

Oliver has been enjoying balance and coordination skills with keeping all the Lego's on the edge of the couch, and then he collects them and drops them in the play toys area and creates a tower.

In addition to Dodge Ball is the Intramural Football season. The kids and I love to go and watch the games being played. Observers are in for a competitor's treat. Here, the kids help Mike to do some pre-game stretching.

Michael's team took on the other undefeated team, which happens to be our good friend's (also named Michael) team. Our team came out on top this game!

This is Josiah's pumpkin that he designed. I like the teeth, it may have even been a self-portrait for him. He lost another tooth this week by falling out of a tree and them having me remove the tooth the rest of the way!

Titus Ray was a valiant knight this year. He walked around like he owned the place (he does that most places). However, his stomach was growling like a mid-evil dragon, and so he and Daddy went in the gym to enjoy the football game on the large screen and the chili cook off together.

Elise chose to be Ashoka, the female Jedi who was a padawon to Annakin in the new 'clone war' series. This girl could sure win a duo!

A proud pilot, Josiah used some of his dad's name badges and patches to complete this uniform. Doesn't he look sharp?

Josiah and Elise pose together with the pumpkin man and scarecrow. By this time Titus was inside and enjoying his second bowl of chili.

"All hail the Queen!" Again the queen arrives in her regalia, and knight Titus is there to protect her. Halloween night, 2009

Samuel, the Lion had us all over to his den.

Ten Points if you can guess who Michael is dressed up as! I still think he looks handsome!

Elise had asked me to dress up as one of Pad Mae's hand maids. I complied willingly to this request. (She also has asked to name our baby Leigha, if it is a girl. This we have openly rejected, but she believes that is what the girl's name should be.

On Halloween, the children dressed as the Star Wars cast. (Although Josiah was technically a ninja, not a Jedi.) Oliver is Yoda, Peter is Luke, and Elise is Ashoka. Titus just enjoyed the ride and the warm blanket he was covered in.

Another fun filled month for our family! And now we enter the more 'busy' months of November and December. I can't wait!

September Slides By...

September starts with a birthday at our house, and for our only daughter to turn 5, just seemed too soon. Here are the cakes I made per her direction.


The second is the barbie silhouette. She had a purse pinata, and many friends from around the campus came to take part with us....I don't know where those photos got to...???



Off to school again!



All ready to go to a wedding, the children line up for a photo...before getting too dirty.




Outside of the church, our family gathered for a quick picture. It turned out really well, however Elise was mid-sneeze!

What a lovely bride! Miss Allison is a good family friend and favorite babysitter for the kids. Justin, you know you are blessed.

Josiah delighted in the mashed sweet potatoes served with all the toppings, and presented in a martini glass.

Josiah, Elise and Eden enjoyed playing together. Eden was the flower girl. The kids usually try to set up a play date with her whenever they come to visit Grandma.

Another typical day at school, here we are studying what makes a portrait. The assignment was to create a person with their lunch items. Turned out cute...and tasty. Josiah likes the realistic....and quantity!

I like the eyebrows on this one.

Going for the full view, Peter adds some string bean legs and spaghetti arms to his masterpiece.

Field Day! I can't believe it is already that time of year! This is the family event that kicks off the school year. It is one of my favorites as it has something fun for everyone involved. Elise loves getting her face painted.

Josiah and Michael lend a hand with the slack lining game, it is to help people learn balance.

Titus was more than satisfied with his ice pop.

My kids celebrate at the sight of a package. Thanks Mary Jo for the fun shirts.

October, here we come!

August at a glimpse...

When first hearing of our vicarage assignment, we read a lot of books about the area we would be living in. Out of all the activities and fun things to do, the children wanted to go slide down a rock water slide. Finally, on our way out of town, we took an afternoon to do so.



Here the group waits in line, watching others make the descent into the mountain ice melt pool below. I decided to play photographer for this one!



Uncle Matt came out to help us with the trek across the land to our home. Here he helps Titus to get a good view of the events to follow.



Once we arrived back home we got to live with Paul and Jamie and their family. We had to wait 15 days for our new town home to be finished, and although it was a little cramped, it was a lot of fun. Here Oliver and Titus enjoy cousin time together.



Baseball anyone? Paul is about to blast the wiffle ball across a few yards. Matt is in the street ready to field the ball. Both children and adults had a blast at this game.

Close cousins, both in age and friendship. These two boys are a joy to watch interact. Sometimes it is parallel play, other times they are fully engaged with each other. They will share whatever is on their plate (Titus takes, Oliver gives) and they watch each other and repeat the other's sounds. They are the set of twins I had always hoped for...but at the end of the day I am only in charge of one....best of both worlds!

To help the backyard to keep from turning to mud in the fall, Paul and Michael took on a project of laying a brick paver patio. I guess they needed something to do with all their spare time! Michael would return from the Air Force Reserves, Paul from school, and they would get right to work. Of course, Peter kept them both in line.

With my two oldest visiting Grandma and Grandpa, I was able to go out and about the town. Peter would ride his bike and I would push the other two babies quickly to keep up.

We squeezed in a day at the zoo, right after a light rain and before lunch time. Grandma was in town, so together we could manage 5 little ones at this wild place!

Josiah is looking sharp for his first day of school.

One Last Time...

The last few weeks of living in N. Carolina, we squeezed in as much activity as possible! Although we were there a full year, it was only enough to tap into the endless resources of the astounding area we had been placed in.

Here, Elise and I are enjoying our new matching dresses that Mimi made for us and the two dolls. I think we look quite fashionable. Thanks, Mimi!


Our beloved family, the Egglestons showed us the beauty of Jordan Lake, a huge natural lake that was only a half hour outside of our city! Dr. E's boat was a delight for all of us to take part in. He took the time to teach Mike a thing or two about setting it up.



Titus enjoyed his time on the soft sandy beach.

Dr. E and Josiah get ready to take her on the day's first voyage.

Getting a little bit deeper, they pause for a picture. The boat itself was pretty light weight, all they needed was a good breeze to take off.

Once more, Titus is smiley and content to be on the beach.

Our little spot on the water, just a perfect day.

When leaving any place after living there a while, is missing the great friends you have made. Josiah and Elise both treasured their friendship with Janey. Hopefully it is one that will continue on as time goes by.

I was able to make one last stop at the local outlet stores, and I got these little shoes for Titus with the money his Great Grandparents sent. Obviously, he loves them. Here is but days away from walking on his own. An accomplishment that happened the day before we moved. Maybe he was inspired by an empty house to run in?

One last day at the pool was spent with many of our friends from church. We had a pool and picnic afternoon, and it was a great day in the sun. My children, whom started the year with a fear of putting their head under the water, and clung to the walls of the pool, have obviously overcome that fear this year! The seven friends all jump into the pool together. (They did this many times in order for me to get the "perfect shot")

Josiah does an individual dive. Quite fearless.

Elise flies in behind him with no regrets!

Jordan had some impressive form with her flip dives!

Josiah's last sport of the year was baseball, and this was by far his favorite. He really played well, and had a great atmosphere of coaches and teammates. Here he poses at his last game, where he hit a home run.

Titus is just chill, watching all of the goings ons.

And in true form, I squeezed in one last trip! What started out as a day trip to the beach, evolved into meeting our friends in the Williamsburg area of Virginia. Still trying for one last 'beach day' we discovered two things:

1. There are no natural beaches in this part of Virginia

2. The un-natural ones leave a little to be desired.

Wake-boards aside, the kids did enjoy their time on this semi-industrial river. The nice thing was that the 'sand bar' extended almost to the rope, so the kids could even walk way out in the water. Below, Mike and Titus share the water with this large boat.

The delightful part of the trip, was hanging out with our friends, who had the greater idea of going to Busch Gardens! Thanks to the military, they picked up the tab, and we enjoyed a half day at the park. Even at the end of the day, when we took this picture we were all still smiling!

Josiah and Elise experienced their first grown-up rides, and they both loved it! First they did the log ride. Buddy Nate and Josiah are heading to the top of the ride.....

....then they are zooming to the bottom.....

...SPLASH!!!

Two soaked, but delighted customers!


Michael and Elise take their turn....she was smart and tucked behind the seat, so as not to get as wet!

Elise also enjoyed a pony ride that the others were too tall for, she did this one a few times.

Josiah and I did our first loop-the-loop roller coaster together! He insisted that I would love to do it with him. Unsure, but willing, we went. It was totally awesome! We are in the second seat, behind the guy waving. Our hair was flying back, which says a lot since Ziah's is so short!

One last photo before we left, Elise smiles for me.

Our last month of vicarage was a special one, and we are so thankful for all the people and things God provided us through the entire year. It was like no other experience. Even though we had many last events, it seems like we have endless thoughts about our time there.

Birthday Boy!

Happy 1st Birthday Titus!

The Birthday Boy.



Titus' personal cake.

note: Mom and dad were surprised by the size of this cake. For Titus' own health concerns, we decided to give him only a small piece. The last of the remnants are now digesting in my stomach.




The Cake Makers
Thanks Samantha, Allison, and Arden!




The 'other' cake... since we had our party after our church's Wednesday night worship, I got this one for all who joined in on the party.



Looking around to make sure that he is really allowed to be doing what he is doing.




Notice the icing begins to resemble paint. It is not by coincidence that the chair cover is removed from his high-chair.




Birthday Balloons!

The after-bath! Thankfully someone gave us a cute outfit for his birthday, the green outfit is in the cake rehab center (laundry room).

Grandma was able to celebrate with us.

Happy Birthday Little Boy Titus!

Teeth!

Growing Baby Teeth



Full Set of Baby Teeth





Lost 4 Baby Teeth, Growing 4 Permanent Teeth.



Eclectic Teeth. (Sweet Tooth, Grease Tooth, Salt Tooth, Wisdom Tooth, Cavity Tooth, False Tooth)

Perfect Teeth.

Another Haircut..

"It's time for a trim," I told Elise, holding my breath to what I thought would be an instant battle.
Yet, as she usually does, she surprised me with, "OK, mom. I want it short like Megan's."

Megan's....Megan's? No way am I cutting it that short, you are my baby girl! I can't cut it that short, I will cry all night if I do!

"Let's just cut it a little shorter, and we can always go shorter another time if we want to," I reply with vagueness.



Lo and behold, here is the result. Very cute, I must say.



And speaking of cute, I found one of these in my basket today!