July 1st Getaway - Swimming

On June 30th last year I made an impromptu trip to one of our country's historical landmarks - a heritage village. Our first stop was a motel, where we spent the night. The boys had a wonderful time! The hotel pool was supposed to close at 10:00 pm, and we got there right before it closed, but the owner was very kind. She had raised a big family and she was very accommodating with us. She let us go into the pool after hours.

'Helping' Their Brother Take a Shower

When we first arrived, this little guy was having *nothing* to do with the water!! It did not look fun to him.

Me? Get Wet? Not!

Just My Feet!

He finally consented to getting his feet wet. As you can see here, he was having a wonderful time.

The next stage was a big brother having a little fun (with the little one's permission) splashing.

Nice and Warm!

After his brother splashed him he realized it wasn't so bad. So into the water he went, to splash and play, but only in the hot tub. That big pool was too big!!

His biggest brother came along and convinced him that he would be safe. So into the big pool he went, safe in the arms of his big brother. It didn't take him long to splash, and swim, and nearly leap out of his brother's arms into the water!!

There was no stopping him now!!! And this was the same child that later this summer nearly drowned in his attempt to swim!

I LOVE swimming!

A Couple Crazy Guys

Enjoying the Hot Tub

OH! That Big Pool is Cold!!

Another Little One Who Was Scared of the Water... For a While

Now He Likes it as Long as He Has a Big Brother Nearby

After the swim it was back to the hotel for popcorn and bed! The next day would be a long one.

Popcorn in Bed and a Night in a Motel - How Much Better Does it Get!

Fossil Dig

One of our boys really wanted to go on a fossil dig and find dinosaur bones. Well, we don't have any dinosaurs around here, but we do have a fossil dig near us. So off we went.

A Long Hike is Okay By Me!

We had to hike up a steep mountain to the fossil site.

Even this little guy had fun sitting among all the rocks and hitting the cliffs with a small hammer.

Digging Fossils

The fossils were scattered everywhere, so the kids didn't have to work too hard to find some. They each brought home a bag full!!

The Tour Guide

Listening to the guide. Apparently there was a lake in this area at one time and this is the remains of it. One boy even found a fish fossil.

Working Hard

Christmas in Our New Home

We hope you had a very BLESSED Christmas and remembered the Reason For the Season.

Our Little Elf - Sneaking Chocolate Chips

We worked really hard to get our house built in time to be in for Christmas. It was worth the effort because we made it!

Decorating the Tree

Ray was out all day after he brought the tree home, so the little boys and I had to figure out how to get the tree to stand up straight. Sounds simple, but there were parts missing in the stand. I got one of the boys to bring me some wire and I wrapped it around the top of the tree and nailed it to the ceiling. Now if the tree tried to fall over, it wouldn't!

Before Bed Christmas Snack

The boys got their new jammies the night before Christmas.

Our little guy wanted to write a letter to Santa, so he had his dad help him. The next morning he was so happy to find a response.

Writing a Note to Santa

Reading the Reply From Santa

Our Funny Little Crazy Elf!

Fun Slippers!

Showing Off Their Slippers.

With our move, Colt's stocking could not be found. He was cool about it. He said, "Just give me a garbage bag." *smile* The next morning he was surprised to find his workboot full of gifts!

Colt's Stocking

About lunch time my mum and dad came over to spend Christmas day and night with us. It was great. The kids love it when Granny and Grandad come over.

Granny and the Little Boys

One little guy really wanted two pirate ships for Christmas and I played a little trick on him. His big brother opened a present with two pirate ships in it and the little guy looked on with great delight (even though he thought his big brother was getting it!) He didn't once say, "How come he gets the ships I wanted?"

Such a sweet spirited little boy!!

Oh! That's Wonderful!

It's Really Mine??!!

When he found out it was his he was thrilled to bits!!

And then Colt had a treasure hunt where he was told to go down under the house in our 3' crawl space and in the dark, and find a present. He was told it was in a garbage bag. It didn't take him long to find his present. He was delighted as he has wanted an electric guitar for a long time. He has now started lessons.

A Happy Guy!

A Happy Guy!

Zoo Animals!

You should have heard Briton squeal with delight when he saw the animals!!

Pirate Birthday For Our Three Boys

Our Baby Pirate

Cooper and Cassidy both were supposed to have a birthday in December. Cassidy turned 10 and Cooper turned 4. Briton turned 2 on January 8. Our lives were much too crazy with the last weeks of getting into the new house to be able to pull off a fun birthday party. We asked Cassidy's opinion on waiting til January to have his birthday party. He agreed. We didn't tell Cooper when his real birthday came and went. We all kept it hush hush and kept telling Cooper that he would have his birthday 'really soon' *smile*.

So today was the big day. We had some family friends come over and the children's grandparents (my parents).

Captain Jack Sparrow, The Copper Claw, and Finn

Guarding the Treasure

Playing Pirate Games

Hot Dogs!

Pirates Have to Eat, Too

Captain Jack Sparrow

Pass the Rat

My Rat!

You are not supposed to want to have the rat.. You are supposed to *pass* the rat... But not this little guy! He wanted to keep it.

The Treasure Map

Every pirate has to have a treasure so we had a treasure hunt. The kids loved this part!

Finding the Treasure

TREASURE

Pinata

The Loot!

Help me, Grandad?

Tinkertoy

Narnia Toys For His Narnia Room

Happy Birthday to Us!

Blowing Out His Candles

Now I'm Four!

I Love Birthday Cake!