Polar Express

Sadly...I don't have the time I would like to put into this post. Why?...you might ask. Well besides cramming 12 hours of driving into 2 days just to see the look on the kids faces when they realize they are about to experience something incredible, it's the middle of December and that should say it all right? So...just imagine if you will, (once Bryce got over the fact that his lame Christmas robe had puppies with antlers on and he actually had to wear it), that our boys had the time of their little lives! Wide eyes, Christmas lights, horse drawn carriages, amazement, hot chocolate, cookies and candy, Christmas carols, Santa Clause....and of course the Polar Express train picking us up in our Jammie's on a very chilly night. We all had a blast!!

And I'm off....to pick up the kids from school and get ready for more Christmas Festivities. We pray that you are all enjoying the CHRISTmas holiday, and remembering the reason for the season :)

Until next time....

Camping kiddo's

I wanted to capture "camping" on our annual Thanksgiving trip. This vacation is very important to all of our kids, as they can't imagine celebrating Turkey Day any other way. This year's trip was especially freeing to our kids I think. They are getting older...they could ride their bikes a little further...their imaginations ran a bit wilder...and they even managed to get slightly dirtier this time around. They were free to be whoever they wanted to be among the dust, in the trees, wielding light sabers as they flew down "death chamber ditch" and shot at squirells with a sling shot. Thank goodness for bad aim!

While it's back to bubble baths and bed times...they will talk of this adventure until the next one. And they will keep the memories forever!

Morgan and Brennen playing rock, paper, scissors
Little Lo Lo tree climber

Funny that you can't see Bryce's face, but you know he's on his tip toes reaching for something he shouldn't have...SODA!

My little Kung Fu Master (Jonah)

Jilly in all her glory. Talk about lettin' your hair down. This girl knows how to camp.

GREAT grandpa

Photos taken at Manhatten Beach Pier. Brycee is eyeing the giant pelican in the next photo.The Nigel (as my nephew would call him) was pretty creepy. As you can see the boys were frightened!
I love this picture of the boys with their Great Grandfather. Brycee likes that he can see their shadows!

Here they are...the biggest and littles Lenarth's sharing some quality time :)

We love you Grandpa!!

It's not often enough that we get to see Great Grandpa Lenarth, but each visit is very special to all of us, but especially the boys. They are always asking about him and his big house...and wondering when we are going on an airplane to see him? Unfortunately, four airline tickets are a bit hard to come by these days.

It was a great surprise to learn that Grandpa was coming to town to stay with his daughter in El Segundo, so the boys and I drove up to spend the day with him. Oh, how the boys love their GREAT Grandpa!

Fall Photos...

So Fall really is in the air for some of you. Sadly...it's 95 at my house and my pumpkin spice candle just isn't doin' it for me anymore. I have found however, that the pumpkin spiced latte at Starbucks has helped.

Thanks for sending these photos guys. I wish I could be at each location to see this beauty in person. Your pictures are awesome!!

Vanessa ( South Jordan,Utah) Vanessa (Utah)


Denise (Oak Glen California)

Denise (Oak Glen, Ca. )

Andrea (Telluride, Colorado)

Andrea (Telluride, Colorado)

Jaqueline (Visiting Oak Glen)

Julie (Yonkers, NY)

Julie (Yonkers, NY)

Until next time...

A Blessed Weekend....

Crisp early mornings, the smell of fresh brewed coffee in the trailer, yummy breakfasts, walks with mom and dad, dirty faces, riding bikes, cooking outside, helping with the dishes, campfire songs, s'mores, gettin' cleaned up, warm blankets and Jammie's, playing games and sleeping on the top bunk......just to start all over again.

These are all memories from my childhood. I treasure those moments spent with my parents and brothers. And now as my husband and I load up and take our own children camping, I pray that we are creating those same memories for our boys.

We headed up to Dogwood campground near Lake Arrowhead on Friday. We love camping with a group of people, but this time....it was just the four of us, and we enjoyed every minute.

A sign of a great weekend!

He's not as serious as he looks!!

It's hard to tell, but Bryce is helping Rich set up the awning. The grounds were beautiful.
Nothin' girly about our camp....
Well, except for me I guess :)
Brennen had his heart set on finding bear or coyote tracks. As soon as we got there, the hosts said to watch your pets and children closely for this very reason. YIKES!
This was Obi's first camping trip...and this dog was in heaven! He got a bath as soon as we got home!

Too many things to say about this kid....as soon as he makes us mad, he makes us laugh.
He was only clean while sleeping...and even that is questionable!
This is what it's all about for me. Of course I would love to think that they are having a deep and meaningful conversation at this point in our trip. Maybe Bryce is asking Brennen about a bible verse he needs brushing up on, or if Brennen can help him learn to tie his shoes when we get back to camp. I know...maybe they are discussing how they can help out around camp after they eat ALL their dinner without saying that ONE thing is gross! Or I could just enjoy this picture, knowing that Bryce is somehow, someway incorporating the word poop into their conversation as much as possible because he knows I can't hear them.
Nah...I'll go with the bible verse!
So after all the hiking and biking, cooking and cleaning, fire starting and eating, laughing and the occasional abrasion....this was the view from my camping chair. Not bad huh?
Definitely a blessed weekend!
Until next time...

"Fire Proof"

My boys this weekend

I treasure the weekends spent with these guys...and although there are no pictures of Rich from the weekend, my time with him is equally valued. We spent Saturday evening watching the most worthwhile movie either of us have ever seen. 'Fire Proof' is absolutely a must see film whether you're happy in your marriage and for sure if you aren't! It's not often we pay $10 a pop and actually see something that matters...or will make a difference in our lives. This movie will truly have a lasting effect on Rich and I. I attached a link on the right side of my blog where you can watch the trailer and get more information about the film. Go check it out. It may just make your marriage that much stronger....or it might literally Save it!

Bryce's Big night at AWANA!

Bryce wants to be just like his BIG brother (who is about a 1/2 inch taller than he is). They are a part of a bible study on Tuesday nights...where they can earn patches, jewels and other fun awards for going through their books and completing the assigned tasks. Bryce has finally entered the world of SPARKS (their group name) where Brennen has started his 3rd and final year. Tonight I knew that Bryce would get awarded his vest so I came early to capture the excitement I knew he would have. Here is anxiously awaiting his name to be called for something....anything really! This has been great for him to be in this setting with Brennen, sitting quietly, using manners, memorizing scripture and obeying authority. All somewhat new for Bryce, and oh so welcome :) He didn't know I was there, and I was in awe watching him sit so still and poised.
Here you can see that he is overwhelmed by the fact that he is being handed the coveted (just by him) red Awana vest that he has seen his brother wear for two whole years before him. He made it...he's now and honorary Spark!
In this shot he has just realized that I was there to see this momentous occasion! I'm so proud of him! way to go Brycee boy...you did it!