Backyard Happenings

Matthew and Benjamin received ripsticks for Christmas. Dan thought he would to try it out.

Using the rope swing for support.

Thoughts of trading in his bike for a ripstick have flown out the window. We do not think that this will be a new mode of transportation for Dan.

Nathaniel sawing the Christmas tree. 

It is amazingly green in the winter! We are thankful for the mild winter that has allowed us to play outside almost every day! 

Happy Chinese New Year!!

Happy Chinese New Year! 2012 is the year of the Dragon!

My parents send our children the traditional Red Envelopes every year.  Children receive money in these envelopes every new year. Their age determines how much money is put in their red envelope. Traditionally, the money placed in the envelope is new, crisp bills. Elizabeth, born in 2000, is our Dragon Lady.

Pappy's Restaurant

Elizabeth and Nathaniel had been wanting to serve me breakfast in bed. We found a morning that worked for everyone. I received pampering and special treatment all morning!

They made a sign. Nathaniel was Pappy. Dan began calling Elizabeth Marge.

They worked hard on menus. Pappy and Marge gave the whole family this menu. I received a very special menu complete with jokes while I waited. They were very efficient and took orders from everyone. Breakfast was delicious!!

 

Pappy's kitchen.

The cooks. Service with a smile!!

Thank you for a wonderful morning, Nathaniel and Elizabeth!!

Rebecca Turns Five Months Old!

ADORABLE!!

Precious!

So SWEET!

Rebecca "reads" her sign!

Three angels.

Big Brother!

Big "little" brother!

Funny Conversation

Funny conversations are a part of every day life here. Lately, Hannah and Josiah have been having conversations about Hannah's Bible. They were looking at the pictures of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Josiah says, "Why he eat apple?"

Hannah answers, "He disobeyed God."

Josiah replies quizically, "Huh?"

Hannah repeats, "He disobeyed God."

They turn to the next page. It shows Adam and Eve without clothing.

Josiah asks, "Where their clothes?"

Hannah answers, "I don't know."

Josiah repeats his questions, " What? Where their clothes?"

Hannah answers with a wise voice, "They didn't have any left."

Josiah responds, "Oh."

So funny!

Sewing Day!

We try to have a sewing day every few weeks! The girls are working on reversible aprons.

Elizabeth and TH sewing. 

Notice Rebecca sitting in her infant chair on the floor between the girls.

Elizabeth is pinning while Rebecca sleeps with Elizabeth in the baby carrier.

What a fun day!

Nicholas

Nicholas!

Lately, he is enjoying making funny faces at the camera!

During naps, I had all our school-aged children sitting in our family room. We were discussing our goals for the year as well as picking Bible verses for the year. They were each to make a list of their non-negotiables--things that they are working on that will eventually become a habit. I was talking with our older four, while Nicholas was sitting next to me. He came up with this list all by himself. 

1. Read my Bible

2. Make my bed

3. Brush my teeth

4. Sweep the floor

5. Make Dad's sandwich

6. Clean my room

7. Do my school

6. Clean my room

We were very impressed with his list. Everyone transferred their list and verse to their journals.

Annual Santa Hat Picture

 We always take a picture of all our children in Santa hats and their stockings.

 Here they are in their Santa hats with their stockings!

 

 Rebecca's first Christmas!!

 

 Josiah was not as cooperative as Rebecca. 

He was having fun trying to get his pom pom in the perfect place.

 "Hey, Mommy, how's this?"

 OK. Pom pom is now in the right place. Next, he decided that his feet were out of place.

 

Here is the result of that!!

So we thought that maybe if he got on his tummy, we would have better success!

Ten minutes later and lots of laughter, we got the picture!

Hannah.

Nicholas gets it right the first time!!

Nathaniel. Take Two.

Elizabeth!!

Benjamin. His first Santa Hat picture as a teenager!

Matthew. Lookin' cool.

OK...maybe not so cool.

Matthew looking....well...silly comes to mind!

Now, both teenagers get into the act! (That's Benjamin's hand you see there.)

"Hey, where did Matthew go? Hmmmm. The hand seems not to have even noticed that there isn't a head under the hat. I wonder if I take Matthew's place if the hand will notice?"

We do laugh every day! One of God's blessings on us!

Happy 16th Birthday, Matthew!!

Matthew turned 16 on January 3. We celebrated on the 3rd. We always ask the birthday child what he/she would like for dinner. He decided on Maui Zaui  pizza from Round Table. The birthday child gets to pick out a cake. He chose Costco's very yummy, very chocolate cake.

Look at all the SMOKE!! After the blowing of the candles, came the annual interview. We started out with very simple questions. 

"Matthew, what is your favorite color?"

"Red."

"Matthew, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I don't know. Something with computers."

 Then, we go into the more difficult questions.

"Matthew, what is your favorite food?"

"I don't know."

"Matthew, what is your favorite subject?"

"I don't know."

"Matthew, what is your favorite car?"

"I don't know."

"Matthew, who is your favorite person?"

"Mom." Good answer!

"Matthew, what is your favorite hobby?"

"I don't know."

When children turn 16, they seem to have some definite opinions about some things and no opinion about a lot of things.

The opening of presents! A knife sharpener! What every boy with lots of knives needs! I am not sure why a boy needs lots of knives, but our boys have lots of knives.

A fun card!!

Matthew showing his brothers how to sharpen a knife!

Happy Birthday, Matthew! We are blessed to call you, son! We are enjoying watching you use your gifts to glorify God. May this year bring you opportunities to further His Kingdom!