Focus on Fall

This week in school we enjoyed the anticipation of fall. Even though the calendar says that fall is upon us, the world outside our window still reflects summer. The humidity continues, along with the green coloring of the trees. So, we decided to learn about signposts of fall and the things we have to look forward to, the changes we hope will soon occur.

As a family we walked through a local national forest where they have 'talking trees' that give you a tutorial on the age process of a forest. It was quite enjoyable. We were the only ones on the path, and as dusk began to fall the stillness crept around us. Micheal said, "Just imagine this dense forest, but no paths, no food, no lights, and being all alone....and someone is looking for you that you don't want to find you." When I told him to stop creeping me out, he just remarked that these are the fun things he got to experience in college. Once again I was reminded as to why I didn't choose a military academy! All in all it was a good experience. We saw a few things that we had not seen before like a brilliantly orange mushroom.

(Well, actually I had seen a cross-stitched cloth of the like at my friend Sarah Simpson's home, but I thought the colors of yarn we just selected to coordinate with my friend's mom's 70's orange counter tops! Not an actual fungus.) So, I took a picture.

Also, we spotted a few spectacular spider webs. This particular one is not in the forest though, it is in front of our house...pretty welcoming, huh? He was just so big, I wasn't going to kill him!

Along with decorating pumpkins, we bobbed for apples. Josiah wisely used the sides of the bowl to retrieve his. Elise used her hands and mouth. I went for the stem, and when I added rules to make it hard for Michael, he outsmarted them all by suctioning his apple out of the bowl!

To be involved in our communities activities, we enjoyed the fall festival in the old downtown. The highlight was definitely our encounter with the Power Rangers!

Next week we will enjoy The Story About Ping...and eventually pictures will follow.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses Pool Party

We all had a wonderful time at Elise's birthday party.

She said the best part was opening presents...that would have been my answer if I was her! She got some really fun things this year from family and friends. Each item was perfectly girly: ballet clothes, Barbie, surfer clothes, ponies, movies and money to go shopping..... what could be more fun for a four year old??

She also enjoyed playing follow the leader in the pool, even though Josiah was the only one following.

I made her little ballet slipper pinata, and the kids enjoyed beating it up.

On Sunday I took her shopping and her selections were Barbie Diamond Castle (because it sings), pink jumbo marshmallows and an electric Hello Kitty toothbrush.

I enjoy this little girl so much!

Titus enjoyed time with Daddy.

Lastly, Josiah took this of the little guy and I...he is 2 1/2 months already!

Happy Birthday, Elise!

My Sweet Elise is 4 today! This shouldn't feel like such the shock that it is, especially since we talked about 100 times yesterday about it being her last day of "3"......and that we heard her singing for about an hour after she went to bed, "I am four tomorrow, tomorrow I am four....four, four, four, four, tomorrow I am four.:) So here are a few shots of our four year old over the last few months:

On her new bike and ready to go!


For a Daddy/Daughter date, she and Michael went golfing. They both enjoyed it, but she was ready to come home after the 8th hole. (It is the hole in the picture, as well as the one in our back yard!)






Her birthday party is this weekend, so more photos to come from that! Love to all,

And I thought it was hard with two...

Hats off to SAB-Mad (mother of 4 under the age of 5 at one point) and all other friends who have managed to get 3 or more of your own children under the age of 5 to look good in the same photo! Here was my first attempt. Needless to say, I will be refining my skills.

Titus Ray

An Adventure to Share...

So this will again be another summer for change...in fact, I don't know of a summer yet since marrying Michael that has not possessed much change! We learned last month of our relocation station, and needless to say, we are ecstatic! All of us keep thinking of new questions and looking into the answers of our new hometown and all that it holds, yet we also have a lot going on here before the big move. First, I have to complete my last week of work and Micheal his last week of school. Then we will immediately leave town to celebrate Joseph's graduation from Med School, and spend time with our dearly loved friends (of which you will soon have many posted pictures I am sure). On the return home, Michael will be off to Europe for military duty, and I will accompany the kids to Grandma and Grandpa's for a week. When we get back, it will be time for VBS, then Mimi will be flying in for a visit. I look forward to having her help me sort through clothes as well as play with me and kiddos while awaiting the birth of her 7th grandchild! Hopefully the baby will come around the first week of July, and after the baptism we will be loading a truck to head east! It should be a fast but wonderful time! A few pictures to catch up on the last few weeks...

A Spring day at the Botanical Gardens.

Attempting our own skills at gardening!

Vicarage call service....he looks pleased!

Michael and I on vicarage call night.

Some of my best girls!

Me and the little one to come.

Indispensable Friends.

The crew of cousins jumping on the trampoline.

Do we wonder where their oddities come from??

Jamie and I patiently waiting.

A Towel Princess and a Sleepy Boy.

Love to all of you, Amy

Out of Order...

I noticed that there was a collection of pictures that I never posted. I think that this error occurred when I was self diagnosed with 'dramatic posting stress syndrome' (a disorder that flares up when all of my friends want to know why I have not posted in a period of time). So, without further ado...some pictures!

The first selections are from our wonderful night of dancing and dining with our Sem. friends at the Valentine's Dance. It was a great time, reminded me of Prom...without all of the drama of finding dates!

Good friends Ryan and Anne (this picture redeems the egg-blowing photo of Anne posted previously:)

Charming Bill and Miss. Mary

Some of my girlfriends....

and finally, my love Michael and I!

Sweet Elise took ballet classes this year and enjoyed most of it...

that is if mom accompanied her through the lesson.

I do believe her favorite part was receiving the flowers from her teacher on the last day. She was so proud of these!

I had taken this picture in the beginning of March to show my mom my belly... I feel I have doubled since then!

Michael enjoying a day.

On an appreciated warm day we headed to the park to do some 'Spring Training' as a family.
Josiah caught up to dad for the tagged out.


Elise and Ziah worked as a team.


Ziah played catcher while Elise got some batting practice in.
I, worked on my shots (photo that is) and got a couple of hits in, but the kids were less than impressed with my 'sprinting speeds' this year. Love to all.