Tut tut, It looks like rain.....not really

For those astute guests who walk through our front door you may have noticed our small collection of umbrellas. Granted they get used maybe once a year in our neck of the woods, but I still like them. They really have become a bit of a collection. I just came across another that I really like - but know that it isn't needed, nor is it a wise use of money...STILL I reallllly like it. You can just imagine those lovely lawn and garden tea parties of the bygone era
Signature Bella

Glimpsing the Elusive

While camping this weekend we caught sight of the Creature Comfort. It is often fearful of the typical camper and only comes out when hungry or needing to gather items to add to its collection.

Fun at the Fair

We had a glorious time at the fair yesterday. Driving down in the morning with the Campos family, we arrived ready for a day of fun. The kids were clamoring for the 'School Zone' where the theme was 'Backyard Adventure'. Larger than life bugs, live animals, and student's artwork were just a few of the things seen in that building.

The children enjoyed the barn yard animals. The baby cows were quite a hit - and a rabbit weighing 26 pounds. They all enjoyed feeding the sheep and goats. The $2 a cup of feed was way toooo high priced for both us moms. The children, being creative and resourceful, gathered all the hay pieces off the floor they could find and had a grand time 'feeding' the animals.

Each of them were able to go on one ride in the Midway. Chandler chose the swing ride (similar to the Stinger at CA Adventure) & Harrison chose a hang gliding ride that rode you in circles...not my cup of tea.

We ended the day with Lunch/Dinner at Baja Fresh before making our way home.

Just to precious

The other night we were busy doing some stuff and forgot that Chandler needed to be put to bed. Her bedding hadn't finished drying so she set herself up on the couch. This is how we found her.

Back in FULL swing

School is back in session. The PSP? (I don't know what our home school group is calling themselves yet) resumed on Friday. Sadly, Chandler was not able to join us fri am since she has been suffering from the flu - fever spikes but otherwise ok (She didn't stay home alone - Tom also had it so he stayed with her).

Harrison was excited about the new classes he is taking. The students 'hit the ground running' in the literature class. He is really enjoying the first book they are reading thru. 'A Single Shard'. He told me yesterday his favorite character is ''the gimpy man with one leg who says crazy things''. He has me intrigued. I can't believe that I have a 6th grader! It really does seem like he just began kindergarten and we were working on the alphabet!!! I was looking through teaching supplies and thinking that all the cute stuff is no longer necessary - and I almost got depressed. No more trying to make funny sound to help enforce a skill, no more scavenger hunts to learn nouns, pictures of turkeys made out of handprints, ...you get the picture. I can't even fathom the idea of him being a JR. HIGHER next year. How did we get to this so fast? I am so thankful that he has chosen to follow Christ and is striving to do what is right. I am excited to watch him grow this year, to pick friends (with guidance), and enter into the realm of 'growing up'. His humor is so abstract - like that of his Dad. But now he is starting to branch out and try his own style on for size. He is def not fitting the suit yet - but it will come with time. =>

The other classes ran smoothly. It was so nice to be back with the ladies. I didn't realize how much I miss my Friday chats till I walked back thru the door. I have been so truly blessed getting to know so many of them. The iron gets sharpened when I am with them. I cherish the ones who I got to know over this summer. They are all so amazing and talented. Each one bringing something new and different to the body life and specifically that of my family. We love them! It is wonderful how the body of Christ works together and you feel like family though you may have only known them a short time. These women love the Lord and love their families. They desire to do what is right no matter the difficulty or hardship. They are such an example to me and I am grateful to them and honored to get to call them friends.