it's been too long.....

These are pics of our annual hot coco and tree decorating night. No pictures for the annual tree hunt in the woods. We went up with friends and had a blast in the woods. No snow so we brought the little guns and a few cans for the kids to shoot. They had so much fun. So for our decorating night we turn up the Christmas music and decorate.We watch a movie when we are done. Feel so blessed....

we got Snow and ice!

Here's to  2012! The fall and early winter of 2011 flew by. We read our Jotham of Jericho advent book and took time to focus on the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. Do you remember the 2011 New Year jar we did? We added 2012 to it so we have 2nd years running. On New Years we reviewed the things we had hoped to enjoy or accomplish in 2011. We kept a few from 2011 in the jar and added 2012 to it!

This last week we got the Arctic blast! Inches of snow dumped into the area and the next day the freezing rain came. We got hrs of sledding in before the rain came. Branches and trees fell power was out in the area but we were spared. I enjoyed watching the ice glisten on the trees. Here are a few picks from then.   

HaRvEsT 2011...

Parkdale Oregon..home of the finest Pears in the USA. This time of year we are full swing in harvest. Thad has driven tractor for years with his dad and grandpa. Grandpa Bud passed away a couple of years ago. It doesn't seem the same without him. Taylor can hardly wait until he is old enough to drive tractor, set gofer traps, set out bins, and hang with Dad and Grandpa. He has no idea how hard the work is but he loves the orchard and spending time in it. Sarah and I enjoy going up and spending time with Grandma Margie. We took the gator and unloaded the compost and we all raked leaves (so the kids could jump in the spider infested piles! We love the Parkdale area and patiently wait for the day the Lord calls us to the area...if that is His plan.  

                                         Taylor and his friend William in the back of the bin...

                                                                                yum...yum...

                                                        Grandpa and Taylor having fun...

                                                    Renken Farm school field trip....

                                                     she so loved this little goat!



FALL...school..soccer...living day to day...

School has started! This year Sarah is in 1st grade and Taylor is in 2nd grade. They have the same teacher and so far they seem to be doing great with that. I love to hear them recount the day on the ride home.

Last year Sarah grew to love watching soccer and wanted to play this season so we are full force into soccer. In the morning if Sarah is slow to get ready for school I just mention that it's a practice day and BOOM she is ready to get school done so soccer can start. The girl loves the game. Taylor is on a team too and it's been fun to watch them both enjoy a game I never played nor know much about.  Here are a few pics...

Summer...late nights outside on the porch, baseball games, horse camp, we enjoyed it all. Tonight as the kids were reading outside on the porch by flashlights I realized this summer has flown by. We get so busy we forget to stop and cherish the time we have. So here's to more reading by flash lights, sleeping outside under the stars, and whatever else comes our way. Thank you Lord for all our days.

Who says baseball is serious stuff when you can "fly" over the pitchers "mound"

1st try stolen base....safe back to 1st...

 ...next pitch...1st stolen base...

 1st time around the bases (earned)...

 North Marion 1st place trophy. The kids had a blast and got to autograph their trophy.

Horse Camp...every year I get a little nervous that something bad will happen on my watch...am I prepared? Every year I drive away feeling like our family gained more from the week than we gave. Thank you Lord for letting us be apart of camp for a week. Thank you to all the families who work full-time at camp. Every year I see kids lives changed, faith secured, hope alive. Camp is life changing for many kids. Taylor got to attend his first camp this year for a weekend. No pictures but lots of great memories. These pics are from our week at horse camp. There is a "pond" the kids live at during the day. Realy I don't think they are supposed to swim in it but they absolutly love it. They catch tadpoles, watch dragon flies, create all sorts of dams and cities in the mud and at the end of the day they all get washed off. The 2 other girls are from a camp family. The 4 of them had such a great time.

 swimming to get the shoe on the other side...

 there were so many dragon fies.  We would just sit and watch them touch the still water, land, and fly off again...wow God gives all things such stunning detail....



school is done...here comes summer break!

These first few pics are from the last days of school. Sarah got to go along with the 1st-8th graders to Camp Morrow for a fun day of miniture golf,  paint ball, canoe rides and more.

 1st grade here we come!

We went to the beach and had a blast! We visiting the following places: Ft Stevens, Tillamook Cheese Facory, Tillamook Air Museum, the pool!, the beach!

 yep we put the kids in the Ft Stevens jail...we tried to leave but they wouldn't let us!

...if only baseball was a year round sport! Maybe in Heaven????

...and the fishing should go through the summer. Thank you Lord!