Birthdays

This has been a big birthday week in our house. Katherine turned 12!!! on the 27th. We celebrated at home as a family. She is waiting for a few more of her presents to arrive in the mail (American Girl items) then she will have a few friends over to play for the day.

We celebrated Ethan’s 5th birthday yesterday here in our back yard with a few of our closest friends. We had a few organized activities for the children, but they had the most fun jumping on the trampoline and digging in the dirt. And us adults did what we love to do most, sit, eat, talk, and laugh.

Katherine is opening the cards her sister and brothers made for her.

Happy Birthday Katherine! You're growing into a beautiful young lady.

It was Robert's idea to get her an apron; she has been learning and helping out alot in the kitchen these past few months. She is becoming more and more of an asset to our family.

Ethan with all his buddies. "Let's Eat Cake!"

Robert shootin' the breeze with James Brown. Notice the chicken bone in his hand and the black and white 'Rat' at his feet. Pepper is always on the look-out for goodies.Katherine and Rachel Brown playing Duck-Duck-Goose with the little kids."I already told you all, I'm not going in that stew pot!"Boys of all ages love Star Wars.Aimee and her dear friend Rachel.Katherine and Rebekah hangin' out.What more could a boy ask for, chocolate cake, good friends, and lots of Legos and Bionicles.

Thanks everyone for celebrating our children with us.

Summer's Wrapping Up

Hello Family & Friends,

Life has been a little busy here in our house getting ready to start school. Yesterday was our first day back, and thank the Lord, the schedule is running smoothly. It always takes a few weeks to work the kinks out of the new schedule and for all of us to get into a good routine. All the children have an increased school load. We'll see how they adjust. I have to admit, I have just as much adjusting to do as they do. With their increase of work come my increase of correcting, instruction, and training. I've always believed that homeschooling is as much about character growth in the parents as it is in the children. And we've all got a lot of growing to do this year.

The pictures below are some of the things we've been doing the last few weeks. We love and miss you all.

Jonathan's Lego Creation

Jon Vader

The next generation of Roman Troops

Cool outfits

Katherine's Mosaic creation

Ok dad, hurry up and take the picture...

Aimee whipped my tail.

(footage not shown to protect the innocent)

The new conscript...

(Side note: Jonathan found a loose brick in a nearby wall in this ancient Roman bath and hid a coin there. We will come back in two years to see if it's still there...)