Caitlin goes to the Tide Pools

This year Cait's class has been studying ocean life. As a culmination to that unit they take a field trip to the San Pedro Tide Pools. It was a really fun trip, especially since the kids all knew what they were looking for. Cait has a great teacher who had them make their own t-shirts, and had them make identification necklaces with all the sea creatures and their information on them.

View from the lunch area

Barnacles

My almost third grader!

One of the crabs we saw

Cait's Second grade class

Carsons Birthday Party

This year we decided it was time to let Carson have his own birthday party. Carson LOVES all things that have to do with "worker men and build huge amazing stuff!" So, we did a construction birthday party. He loved it and asked if he could have his party again the next day! Below are some fun pics from his party.

Practicing hammering in nails

Tim giving instructions to the crew

We saw a cute idea to use a refrigerator box as a house and let the kids paint the house

Carsons friend Harper

Kaylee was ready to help

Miss Karis - Carsons best little girl friend - with the finished project

Working on our toolbox

Birthday boy

Tim and I with our 4 year old boy!

Look who's Six

A month and a half ago our sweet Grace turned 6. She has been wanting a play date with some girls from school so we had them over on her birthday. In normal Grace fashion they had to play dress-up.

Grace with her friends Addie and Noelle

Sweet sisters

Sporting her new shades and her missing front teeth

Graces Field Trip to Malibu Ranger Station

In the beginning of May Grace's class went on a field trip to the Malibu Park Ranger Station. It was a beautiful day and a really fun and educational field trip.

Here is Grace with a couple girls from her class - it was a lot of the kids first time riding a bus

Grace and Jhoezeil on our hike

A view from the top of our hike - it was a pretty steep climb up, but the view from the top was beautiful!

On our way up

Class Pic - yes Grace is the tallest in her class :)

Mom and Dad's Chicago Trip Pt. 4

Here is a picture from Thursday of us by Lake Michigan. The lake is so big you feel like you are on the ocean, especially with the waves we were seeing.

On the lake with the city behind us

Friday we went and visited Memorial Park. There was some really neat architecture

This is what we refer to as the Chicago Bean (I have no idea what it is really called)
We took the pictures looking into the bean

From the bridge over the riverwalk

And today, we are coming home to see all of you! Love you lots!

Mom and Dad's Chicago Trip Pt. 3

Here is a picture from the ground up of our hotel. Cait wanted to see how tall it was!

Across the road from us is an apartment building with parking underneath. It has some interesting architecture

On Thursday after the conference we took a long walk (4-5 miles). First we walked down the Magnificent Mile, which is all shopping.

We saw some men building a new high rise apartment building (they start at $1.4 mill.)

Here is a picture of the crane they were using to lift the steel beams up with

We then walked over to Old Town Chicago. It was very interesting to see the difference between it and the high end shopping district we were just in. We got you all a fun treat while we were there.

This is one of the many old churches we saw

A little closer up so you can actually see daddy in the picture

Hope you are having a good day and that the jog-a-thon was a lot of fun! We miss you all very much and can't wait to see you and hug you tight!

Mom and Dad's Chicago Trip Pt. 2

Here's the second update on the Chicago trip.

First, as we walked to breakfast this morning we saw some men washing some windows. Anyone want this job?

Here we are at the conference.


Here are a couple of pictures of the main meeting room- there's something like 5,500 people here for the conference.




We love you Caitlin, Grace, Carson and Makaylee- and Grandma too!

Mom and Dad's Chicago Trip Pt. 1

Nicole and I are in Chicago for the Gospel Coalition Conference this week. Here's our first post of pictures of Chicago (mainly intended to give the kids an idea of where we're at).

These are all from our hotel room.


At night...


During the day...

What we've been up to

Sorry for the ultra-long delay in postings! Life has been absolutely insane for us lately! However, God has been incredibly gracious to us and continues to give sustaining grace to us. We have been immensely blessed by all He is doing in and through us.
Here is a whirl-wind version of our life:

Filling out our March Madness brackets

Even Kaylee had one this year!

My uncle got married a few weeks ago and Tim did the wedding. My super cute little boy

We enjoyed some time with my family - Cait and Maddie

Kaylee and her cousin Ezekiel

We also had a fun visit from some dear friends from seminary, the Culbertsons (8 kids between the two families)

The girls celebrated their 100th day of school. Grace had to use 100 of something, here is her barn

Cait had to use 1,000 of something. She made a rubberband snowman bungie jumping :)

We are also experiencing some fierce independence, this is the cute version of it!

And.......

Kaylee is now potty trained!! Carson helped entertain her during potty times :)

He was "reading" the bible to her and showing her the pictures (or lack thereof)!

Here is our big girl. She still has to be reminded to go every hour but she thinks she is pretty big stuff wearing underwear!

I am truly enjoying all that God is putting before us. I am also thoroughly enjoying my kids right now. They are all changing and growing so much. God has blessed us beyond belief!