1st Day of School

So we begin a new adjustment period, and we are looking forward to it. Yesterday Jacob and Camryn returned to school. Jacob in his final year in elementary school and Camryn in her first year of full, everyday schooling. It went very well, they so enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones, they love their new teachers and seeing familiar teachers when they head to specials (or whatever they call them these days). We all walked together to school to see them off, then Jeff went to work and the little kids and I started our day. They had a good day overall, full of stories upon returning home. Bailey really enjoyed the quieter house and she and Isaac played much differently on their own. Isaac wasn't so sure, really needed to stay right by me all day, but I think he understood they would return because today he was back to being comfortable playing more and "helping" me with a few less chores. He did sleep so well at naptime in the much quieter house, so we are enjoying that!

When Jeff got home from work we headed out for our 1st day of school tradition "backwards dinner". The kids choose Dairy Queen this year so we got some ice cream cones and Isaac's first strawberry sundae. Then we got their chicken strips for "dessert". The kids just love the novelty of eating their ice cream first and makes the first day of school so much fun to look forward to and a little less difficult to let go of summer.

It has been such a busy, constantly changing 3 months since we got home, we are excited for our family to settle into a regular routine with the school year. It will be so great for all the normalness to be back and to spend more one on one time with Isaac and Bailey and then the big kids with their homework as well. This fall should be interesting and different, but there are so many fun things we are enjoying seeing in our newest son and in how the bigger kids interact with him, it will be fun.

Oops, I forgot the camera when we got ice cream, but they sure looked cute with it all over their faces, you know they are enjoying it when half is on them.

Sheri

Camps

We are thoroughly blessed as a family to have a wonderful group of friends and family. It is wonderful to always have a great place to be, something to do and wonderful friends upon which to confide. After we returned from our vacation to California, it was not long before the large amount of support left us wanting to get away for a bit. Great timing in that we had Man Camp with the Crossroads Community guys up at Goose Lake near McCall, Idaho, and we also had a chance to go to Webelo Woods for Jacob's Cub Scout Pack. We also had a small window of time in which to take the fifth wheel (24 hours) up to Cascade, Idaho where we were all together in that nice community. Either way, the time was nice for us all to spend in new experiences and a little bit of solitde.

First off, Jacob and I roughed it in our fifth wheel with about 150 God-fearing guys from Crossroads Community and El Crucero. It was a wonderful time to fish, target shoot with bows and guns and just a great time to worship God with great guys. Not to mention that Jacob and I got some time to hang out as father and son. We even got a fun history lesson about black powder and newer rifles including seeing some large caliber rounds from a Sharps rifle (think Quigley Down Under). After breaking camp we met up with Sheri, Camryn, Bailey and Isaac in Cascade for the night. It was the first time this year for all of us in the fifth wheel.

Isaac had a wonderful time examing the two stairs in the fifth wheel and examining the spacious (read small) floor plan. The kiddos had a wonderful time enjoying our annual smores (some more than others). We had a nice time together for the day as Jacob and I prepared to go camp out in a tent at Webelo Woods.

Sheri and the other children stayed in Cascade for a few days while Jacob and I ventured back up to McCall, Idaho and what must have been a record hatch of mosquitoes. We had a great time with the other 6 boys and their parents learning about nature, swimming in a cool lake (61 degrees) and enjoying (a stretch) camp food. Everybody survived and seemed to have a good time. I did develop some wonderful blisters from the whittling done on my stave, my great grandfather would have been proud. After a couple days time we left the serenity of the woods and returned to our home in Nampa. Felt like we had been gone forever. We are still recoving from the plethora of mosquito bites through repellant and clothing.

We also then had a visit from Sheri's father and stepmom from Seattle. They got a chance to visit the children and meet Isaac for the first time. We only have one more part of the family to make sure that everyone gets to meet Isaac.

Amazing that this last few months has included 3 trips of length to Wyoming, California and McCall, ID. We have had 3 separate visits from multiple family members. We also have had activities on an almost daily basis. We know that there are times when God gives you quite a bit to handle, and there are other times when He wants us to be still and know Him. The hard part, at times, is to discern between these two or to carve out the time of serenity from the chaos. It has been wonderful to see all of our family and friends. It has been great to enjoy our full family in our home. Now, hopefully comes the daily/weekly routines. I know that our children would love to see happy/healthy/well-adjusted parents too.

Jacob casting out at Goose Lake.

Got to shoot this rifle, actually hit a target for once.

Kiddos around the campfire ready for smores.

Isaac did not appreciate the gooey treat, so I had to clean it up.

Jeff

First Word? And Vacation!

Hi! We've been super busy and not had time to post an update in awhile. We recently went on our first family, touristy, vacation. We have already been to Wyoming to visit Jeff's family, which was fun and relaxing. This last trip was more of the crazy variety. We drove 19 hours to San Diego California. Isaac seems to have learned his first English word during this time, he loves to see a camera and smile and say "cheese", it is so cute. Jeff may argue that "dada" is his first word, but since he uses that one for every person as well as many objects I just don't agree. He really understands the meaning behind "cheese" but "dada" will probably be his next since he says it constantly and we always show him who that is :) and yesterday he said the sounds of "mamama" so maybe soon.

So, back to vacation. We packed a lot into our 11 days on the road. My mom and dad drove down as well and we met up with 2 of my sisters and their families at the hotel. We missed the rest of the family, my youngest sister and my brother and their families, but next time will be a huge family reunion.

We began by visiting the Cabrillo National Monument. It is a beautiful old lighthouse, and in the most picture perfect location. We really enjoyed our time walking around, but unfortunately got to closing time and had to head out.

Then we spent several days going to the San Diego Zoo

Sea World

and the beach

Next, we all drove up to Anaheim to spend 3 days at Disneyland! The kids had such fun with their cousins on all the rides and seeing everything,

it wore them out so well :)

Meeting Mickey!!

We all loved it :)

Then we headed further north to San Fransisco. We spent a couple hours hitting the top spots on our list, Fisherman's Wharf, Peir 39, the Sea Lions, The Maritime Museum, Lombard Street, Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown. It was extremely fast and we sure wished we had more time but we got a glimpse of everything. It was a great trip and we are now rested up again from the long days and many hours driving, not too mention caught up on all the laundry.

And finally we got a family photo now that there are 6 of us!

We hope you are all having a wonderful summer too!

Sheri