Family Pictures and Bocci ball at the pool

New Jersey AUG 2007

At The Beach AUG 2007

Gracie on the rides!!

Grace had a great time on the boardwalk. We put her on the carosel and she waved to everyone as she went around with a huge grin on her face. It was so cute!! She loved the rides and has no fear. The boys were happy to take her on all the rides and we all loved watching her reaction and theirs. It is such a wonderful thing to watch our older boys care for their sister and love her so much. It is so hard to believe she has only been home with us a few months. She loves the waves and the beach and she would lay on the boggie board wanting us to pull her through the water. She had a couple wipe outs, but she got right back on. She doesn't seem to be bothered by change. We were concerned that this trip across the ocean may throw her off,but she is doing great and seems to be enjoying every aspect of traveling. We are really thrilled because we love to travel!!

Opa's Birthday and Ocean City Board Walk

New Jersey AUG 2007

We visit New Jersey AUG 2007

We arrived in New Jersey Aug 10th. We were planning to travel the end of Aug. but with Mikes work schedule and puppy's, yes more puppies due the end of Aug we decided to pack up in 2 days and head for the States. Opa and Oma picked us up at the airport and we stayed at Mema's over night. It is always so great to visit family. We then spent the next day at my sister's and the boys played with their cousins Hannah,Kendall and Macquire. The last time we visited was in April, so we could see a big difference in Macquire, who will be turning 1 soon. The boys went on the huge blow up slide in the backyard. Then we headed for the lake and hung out there the rest of the day. The boys love the water and Gracie loved it too. Grace is still a little jet lagged, so we are hoping she will get on a schedule here quickly. We are spending the night at Opa and Oma's and planning to go to the beach a bunch. We are looking forward to a great week.

Gracie

IT's AUGUST !!!

July has flown by and it's August already. I spent much of July preparing for the new school year ordering books, curriculum and trying to figure out how to homeschool four boys with a new toddler. We are still schooling through the summer, although a much lighter schedule than in the fall. The boys have been reading a lot and Hadyn and Eamon are working on writing proficiently; it's been funny how their assignments always reflect our daily life. This week they wrote on a charcter whose cat somehow was tar and feathered. The names were Ms DVD for Eamon and Ms Fish Oil for Hadyn. On my schedule of things to do this week was transfer my DVD's to disks and to buy flavored fish oil for Grace. I guess they really are listening when I talk. Grace is repeating everything we say. The boys keep teaching her crazy things, which she loves. Curran has her saying "bally ole chap, wot wot" in a British accent. I like to get on the computer and check e-mails with a cup of tea I tell Grace," Go get your computer", which is a leap pad with pen connected to draw letters on. She always goes running to get it. She quickly comes over and climbs up on the big stool, sits up with me and we both drink tea and use our computers. What fun!!!! Grace plays well most of the time by herself, but has started holding on to my pants and pulling me to where she wants me to go. It's usually over to her large pile of books Goodnight Moon , The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Very Busy Spider are her favorites, so we sit down to read. In the afternoon Grace goes out with the boys to play, but I had to bring her in with me this week, as they have big ramps going into the woods and are taking all kinds of wheeled carts and skateboards down the big hill and off the ramps. I can't watch, so I go inside expecting to hear I need to call for an ambulance. So far it's been all fun with only minor injuries.

Family Pictures

My Birthday!!

July 23, 2007

For my birthday this year we were planning to go to the lake and just hang out. Mike had taken off work early, but it poured rain all day long, so we put plan B into effect. Take the boys to the indoor go-karts!!! Gracie and I filmed while the boys, Mike included, raced around the track. By the end they had figured out how to skid around the turns to prevent slowing down. It was all about speed. We then went out for pizza and back to the house for presents and icecream. The boys all thought I had a pretty fun birthday. They want to go sky diving for my next one!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYLAN

Rylan's Birthday

I can't believe I have a 15 year old!! Where did all the time go? As a mother, birthdays are always something of mixed emotions. It is so wonderful to reflect on all the amazing ways God has grown each child and the grace he has shown me despite all my failures. We rejoice at the wonderful young man Rylan is becoming and I am sad that our time with him in our home is getting shorter. We usually pull out the home movies and laugh at all the craziness when the boys were little. This is always a hoot and the boys love it. We are trying to take video of Grace as much as we can, especially since we have lost those first 16 months of her life. She is talking more and more each week and she seems to be more relaxed with all of us. When we look back at her improvement is remarkable how far she has come. She is such an amazing blessing to all of us and it has been so neat to see the boys protect,love and care for her. Grace truly loves them and she is all smiles when she wakes in the morning and is greeted by 4 enthusiastic boys saying good morning Grace in all kinds of cutesy voices.

EVEN MORE SWITZERLAND

MORE SWITZERLAND

Switzerland

Switzerland JUNE 16-18

We left for Switzerland early for the annual Trinity Reformed Church retreat. We had 3 days before everyone from the church arrived, so we spent some family time hiking and enjoying God's magnificent creation. Switzerland is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. On Saturday we traveled down to Geneva to tour the Reformation Museum and take in the rich history of the city. So many great men of the faith preached in Geneva despite all the corruption and persecution. The boys had a great time walking through the reformation museum and listening to the audio guide. There was a beautiful park where we sat and ate on the grass and the boys played chess with large pieces. Grace just ran around and was happy to be out of the car after traveling the entire day before. Little does she know we have a 2 hour drive back to the bible school tonight!!!

We got up on Sunday and went to an English speaking church in Beatenburg where the guy bashed the reformers and held the Annabaptist in high esteem. Needless to say we had a lot of discussions at lunch with the boys. It was timely, especially after just visiting the reformation museum and having long talks on how great and faithful these men of the reformation were. We then hiked up the alps and the boys wanted to hike up the boulder field so of course we did. It was a wonderful hike and the scenery is amazing. We are so thankful to be able to spend family time together.

We got up early Monday and went to the cave of St. Beatus. The legend has it that Beatus a monk who lived in the cave slayed a fierce dragon. The cave had lots of rushing water and it was a great hike.

WEEKENDS

A typical day at our house

What does a typical day at our house look like. Well it all depends what day your talking about they are all usually a little diffrent with something unexpected always thrown in. We are up by 8 and sometimes I let Grace sleep in. She has actually slept till after 10am some mornings. Once she is up and dressed her breakfast is prepared either oatmeal or eggs and bacon. Then it's all play till around 1. The boys work on school work and I try to keep Grace out of the shower. She likes to climb in and out or she also like to crawl into the dogs cage and sit in there. When she gets tired of that we usually go out to the sand box or swing which she thinks is great fun. I take a boy or 2 with me and we work on school outside while she plays. I'll be explaining something to the boys and say something like you add it and she chimes in addit!!! Then we just laugh. After lunch and a nap she is ready for more activity. The trampoline is still a hoot for her. She can sit still and we have lots of book reading everyday. Her favorite right now is Goodnight Moon. Today I went out to put something in the trash can by the car port and there is a baby bird just sitting there. We have a nest in the rafter of the car port and the little thing fell out. I know this bird doesn't stand a chance with 2 dogs and a cat living here so I put it in a clear Tupperware storage box as the mother swoops down at me frantically squawking. The nest is way to high to put it back in. I tell Eamon we'll wait till Dad gets home he'll know what to do. When Dad gets home we clear out the car port and drive the van in. The van has never been able to fit under our carport with bikes toys etc. Mike climbs up on the van followed by Eamon and one baby bird. Eamon is now up on Dads shoulders and puts the bird back with the other 2. Wow Dad and Eamon save the day and the mother bird was very thankful. Grace was also very thankful that her playmate Daddy was home. He is the only one who can get her to really laugh out loud when he tickles her. After dinner she takes a bath which she really likes and then book time and a bottle. She has a real love affair going with that bottle, just the name of it gets her all happy. I am so glad she will take the bottle so we can get some real cuddle time in and work on her giving us more eye contact. She is improving more and more each day and is such a joy to us all.