Texas!

We finally made it to Texas---My first time and Erinn's new home!

Erinn's first day in her new home, notice the lack of boxes!

She did a wonderful job, setting up a beautiful home for the next 6 months.

We took two days to do all the moving and did it is shifts as it was 105 degrees everyday.

After we got her fairly settled in it was time to do some sightseeing!

I love history!

So our first stop of course was the Alamo.

What a delight.

Me with Drew's boyhood hero, Davy Crockett.

San Antonio was beautiful.

A kind family offered to take our photo so we could both get in.

I loved reading all the history.

May we NEVER forget the sacrifice people through the ages have made in order to establish this wonderful country we live in.

We were told to make sure we did not forget to do the river walk.

It was beautiful to see all these lovely canals wandering through downtown San Antonio.

I must say it was very muggy, but awesome never the less.

Where to Start?

How about at the beginning and in parts:)

I was blessed to be able to take almost 2 weeks to travel with Erinn to move her to Fort Hood, Texas.

The first day we traveled 12 hours to arrive in beautiful Santa Barbara where we were able to spend a wonderful day and a half with Danielle and Ryan.

Danielle took us on a tour of Ronald Reagan's ranch in the foothills of Santa Barbara.

Danielle is an assistant curator with Young America's Foundation who is working on preserving some of Reagan's legacy through preserving his ranch and an interactive gallery in Santa Barbara, which Danielle has been privileged to be a part of.

Here Erinn and I are at the entrance of 'Rancho Del Cielo"

We are not allowed to take pictures inside the building, but this is the pond and the grounds.

It is wonderful to get a personal tour and hear Danielle's excitement about her work as she shares about his man and his contributions to the world.

The time with my older children is precious. It was so fun to be with them both together just hanging out and sharing about life and lessons we have learned together.

Though I miss all three of my older children as they have flown from home....

I know this is what it is all about.

Loving them, helping them grow, showing them the love of a Saviour who will never leave them.

What more can a mom ask than that her children walk with the Lord and serve Him.

What a blessed time:)

Happy 4th of July!

We had a wonderful celebration today.

We went to the parade and got lots of candy.

David and I went on a 13 mile bike ride and I did not fall off the little tires of the road bike:)

And we just looked really cool and patriotic as we were thankful for living in a country based on freedom.

We were thankful we were safe because so many men and women are serving our country to keep up that way.

Thanks Michael and Ryan we missed you both:)

A Very Blessed Day

Yesterday we were blessed with an amazing family day with 6 of us together!

We are blessed by having to drive through the redwoods every time we head to the coast!

Drew took the opportunity to get in his 7 mile run on the soft road that winds through this section of trees. Just imagine the intensity of the beauty of God's wondrous creation.

And the size of some of these trees is absolutely enormous.

Stopped for some swinging time.

The littles and the bigs.

Then off to the beach where the Smith River meets the Pacific Ocean.
And some seal watching.

Caleb was begging for some Drew time after the long ride.

After the bottom dunking, Caleb was not about to let go!
Boys!

My beautiful daughter and Me!

Seeing a cave he had to climb down to it.
That must be why God put it there!

He did not say long--must have been kinda boring after all.

Caleb, who forgot his jacket, tried to stay warm by crouching in the tall grass.
Like his hat?

Another Caleb position.

Erinn trying to get on the big rocks.

Later, more of the same with Drew and Caleb.
Thankfully it was much warmer with the sun out!

Hannah getting a lift off the cliff from big brother!

Hannah building her sand castle.

Drew running from some kind of mischief I am sure:/

Handsome Caleb.

Trying to figure out what Hannah stepped on.

Praising our Awesome God for a wondrous day at the coast with unbelievable Oregon weather.

Hannah praising Him with me!

Our sandcastle in the making.

Boogie-Boarding somewhere in there.

David giving it a go.

Oh, there is Drew.

Hannah acting brave in the water.

Caleb giving it a go.

Thank you Lord for an awesome day of memories with my family as we all get ready to go our separate ways.

How would you.....

want to spend a quiet warm day?

Like Hannah---nice, sweet and lady-like!

OR

Like Caleb---rough, squished and sensory seeking?

This kid continually boggles my mind--LOL!

Reading?!?!

Caught my daughter reading the other day.

She is finally independant enough to read some of the beginning readers in her room.

Such fun watching a child who enjoys reading.

Then I went into Caleb's room and found this!!!!

Yes, this is how a sensory child reads!

And let me tell you with this one I will take reading any time, any place!

So you go son!