Singing:)

Singing at the beach was so neat! It is always special to sing songs to God, but especially neat to be with family and enjoy this time together!

Seth's Happy Touchdown Dance

Seth's happy dance! Big brothers are a wonderful thing:) Although they have instilled in Seth the idea that his "special tricks and secrets" have made him better than them! He sure does love being with big brothers.....there is not much more special to Seth!

Those we look up to...

Braden is ten, and likely Seth's most loved cousin. Braden has excellent insight for a ten year old. He played and played with Seth! He cut Seth slack that Seth's brothers often do not. He treated Seth as an equal ...thus Seth's undying devotion! While at the beach they had an intense one on one football game going on! I loved this picture:) I am not sure Seth stopped Braden...lol! This is one of the greatest blessings of our time with Scott's family. Our children are able to be with and love and play with and bond with cousins we love, yet love deeper and stronger because of the ties made during this one week of the year! I wish we could spend more time together, yet distance is sometimes great and time is limited, thankfully we have the love of grandparents who in their infinite wisdom set aside such a perfect week for us all!!

Neat books!

These are two of the neatest books I have seen lately! My big kids find them hilarious, the writing style is pretty funny! But the content is simply neat! Jeremy sat reading the boys book, laughing and sharing with us as Sarah sat reading the girls book. She and Bailey spend 30 minutes following the step by step directions to learn how to whistle!

The gift of peace.....

My friend Shannan gave me the sweetest gift of the season......the gift of peace. Our trip without my two toughies was easy...normal...relaxing....enjoyable.... all the things I dream of family being....rofl (but rarely is!). Our trip was as smooth as my crazy family can be....and I loved it!!

Thank you Shannan!!

Stuart went after my guys this morning and they were home by lunch. They had a very nice time and have not stopped talking about it yet:)

erma bombeck

As a young mother Erma was still living and I remember reading her articles all the time, I even had a couple of her books. Humor and parenting is a must:) Erma did both...she parented with humor! I found this quote by her this morning as I was reading. I thought is entirely appropriate as 2007 ends and we all seem to look for inspiring words for 2008......I liked it and thought to share it here:

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and would say, "I used everything you gave me." Erma Bombeck

Mom's favorites....

How very hard to have "favorite" pictures...but sometimes I have those that strike me by memory or moment:) They are either insightful to personality, just plain sweet, funny or crazy....in others words....I Just Like Them:)

Camera funny...

Sometimes I watch funnies happen as I take pictures....at those times I usually wish I had a video camera. Rosie, Hunter and Tasha all found bamboo poles and were headed to "fish" when I caught this first picture.....then when I asked them to smile Hunter looked up and nearly hit Tasha in the head with one of the poles.....next thing I know Tasha is chopping off the offending pole! lol:) This is SO Tasha!!

games games games....inside....

eating eating eating.....

The beach!

I could write and write about the beautiful day and how much fun we had playing at the beach.....but this is truly one of those times where pictures just speak louder than words!