Our Sickies

This is what we looked like for four days while we all battled the stomach flu.  It was Daddy's fault! he got sick on Sunday and then Mommy and the rest of us got sick on Monday.  It was the longest flu ever.  Mommy thought the throwing up might never end.  Finally, Thursday brought relief and happy faces.

 

The San Diego Zoo

On Saturday we got to go to the zoo along with 5,000 other General Atomics workers and their families.

 

 

 Riding the Skyfari gondola was a great way to get to the polar bears without getting exhausted hiking all the zoo.

 Our three little Polar bear cubs enjoying the "frozen" den.

 The petting zoo

 Daddy's legs were sore the next day with all this exercise pushing 100+ pounds up and down the hilly park.

The animals from our point of view.

 Animals from Mommy and Daddy's point of view.

 

 We had a great day exploring!

Labor Day Weekend Camping Trip

At Nana and Papa's campsite.  They camp in style with their big trailer.

 

Beach Day!

 

Another day hike.  We kids did the best yet out of all our hiking trips!

Smores. 

We liked roasting the marshmallows, but we did not think smores were very tasty.  They were too gooey and messy.  We decided to roast them for the adults and they could enjoy the smores.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

It was fun making your cake.  If we are wild and crazy it is because the frosting also decorated the inside of our tummies!

Emma Starts Kindergarten

 Today I went to Kindergarten for the first time.  I am so excited.  I like my teacher Mrs. Pashky so far and my friend Aubryn is in my class too. 

 

Reflecting on Foster Parenting

We were foster parents for one month for two little siblings, a three year old boy and a one year old girl.  Our home was full of energy and noise as we had five kids five years old and under.  These sweet children arrived at our home on July 4th at three in the morning and left our home August 1st.   I was quite impressed how our own children embraced two more kids and showed them love, shared their toys, and played well together.  Emma was such a great help with the one year old.  She enjoyed feeding her with the bottle and putting her pajamas on. 

It was amazing to see how God orchestrated everything for these two beautiful children.  Here they had no family of their own and at the same time a pastor and his wife who so much wanted children of their own were preparing for adoption in a process that usually takes several months to match the perfect family together.  Within one month God prepared this couple to be certified, able to drive down from Northern California to be introduced and be able to take home two precious children to be theirs.  I feel so blessed that we got to see first hand how God cares so much for us, even two little orphans who were too young to express in words their fears, hurts, and anxiety; and also a couple who so longed for children of their own. 

Uncle Eric and Aunt Beccy Visit

This is our Uncle Eric and Aunt Beccy.  We miss them a lot.  They live in Tennessee now.  We were very happy to have them come and visit.  They play with us and chase us around the house.  We hope they come again soon.