Christmas in July, Pt. 2

This picture was drawn with a running commentary to the twins on the meaning of the candy canes...

"The cane part, when it's upside down, it's a J for Jesus. When it's upright, it's like a shepherd's staff. The white means that Jesus cleaned away all the blackness in our hearts. And the red is for Jesus' blood. The 3 red stripes are for the red stripes on Jesus' back when the soldiers whipped Jesus. And that is the story of the candy cane." -Anne

Why are we making this picture in July? Who knows. She takes after her mom in some things. :)

Not much

The camera has been rather uninspired, I'm afraid. We've just been catching up from vacation (which has since come back to us for a couple days), sending Peter off to leadership camp, dealing with the garden and chickens and an endless supply laundry.

I commiserate with Moses- ready to just sleep on the job

 

Tunnel update! Christian called the county this morning, and we are almost at the top of the list to be reviewed! Once we're actually in the review process, we should hear within 3 weeks their verdict.

The new layers are just about ready to start laying eggs, the rooster has been showing off his new crowing abilities non-stop, I think we might have mites in their coop. 3 of the older birds have gone bald around their neck and combs, and I'm 95% sure it's not just molting. Grr.

The new "chicken tractor"- home of the new meat chicks!

Cory's going a little crazy, not being able to get at the chicks to "play"!

Christmas in July

Kate Middleton is in labor! Ok, part of me just is terribly sick of hearing about the royal couple, but part of me is terribly curious along with millions of others people around the world. This royal couple is well-known for being more down to earth than most other "royals"- mingling with the "commoners", doing "common" things like cooking for themselves. And here they are going through the birth process- something women of all classes throughout all the ages have endured. It's just kind of fascinating. I was wondering this morning- why? I think it's because it reminds me of another birth Story- the Story of the greatest King there has ever been- being born, not in the greatest hospital with caterers and wine lists and people waiting on his parents like royalty... but born in a barn to peasants. He deserved full media coverage by the best reporters, instead His agents gave the report of His birth to a group of grungy sheep-herders. Throughout His life, He didn't just "mingle" with the commoners, He was one. By choice. For me and you. Just makes me think. And be grateful. Merry Christmas!

Wacky Wednesday

Not Feeling Like It

Good article from desiringGod ministries today... "Lay Aside the Weight of "Not Feeling Like It" which for me is just about everything today! Hot days, watching it rain everywhere else but here, un-inspiring to-do list, fighting kids, broken washer, waiting... This was a good read for me today- I hope you take the time to read it, too, if you're also "not feeling like it"- whatever it is. :)

Aquarium

Since Marmie and Boppa were flying out of Phx for CA, we (minus Christian) made a day of it and went to the newish aquarium in Phoenix- the first aquarium I've ever been to, amazingly!

Hanging out, waiting for everyone to arrive and eat lunch

Ransom, Peter and Anne got to bounce on the cool trampoline- they loved every minute!

In the aquarium, before I figured out I shouldn't be taking flash pictures (I got a LOT of blurry pics- sorry!)

Yes, all the kids in this picture are related- we kind of dominated the tide pool area for a few minutes there...

This crazy lobster (I think, unless it was a ginormous shrimp) pinned this fish to the floor and seemed to be cleaning it off. The fish swam away when it was done, so maybe it liked it?

The jelly fish changed colors! Ok, the lights changed color and the jelly fish glowed that color. Pretty cool.

Sea horses

Yes, that's a dinosaur skull in the tank- lots of dinosaur skeletons around, oddly.

As a special treat, we got to go to Faith and Gary's before heading back up the hill.

Amazing Auntie Faith made tasty smoothies and handed out cheese and crackers.

Fun times! Thanks, everyone who helped me not lose my kids!!!

4th of July

We had a pretty laid back 4th of July, but made it to the fireworks show on the golf course- which had an AMAZING hill that the kids will forever remember. This was our last time with the cousins for who knows how long, so bitter sweet.

We had 2 competing fireworks shows, it seems. I was in favor of God's show, personally, even though it made me more nervous!

(Not) Zion

Due to the extreme crazy heat, we decided to not go to Zion after the GC, but came back to Flagstaff where it at least cools off at night. But that did not stop our fun!

Red Mountain

The hikers!

 Ok, Mike looks kinda creepy with the binoculars.

The amazing Uncle Tim is great with the "harder" kids!

Don't mess with this tough chic!

 New location for future Star Wars movies...?

Picnic on the Peaks

With this many people, forget about picnic baskets. Bring the trailer. :)

Fun at the Vaughans'!

This is a tricky one to figure out- it appears that Elijah is splashing himself in the face while Peter splashes him from the side...

Ransom smiling while getting doused with a cup of water- undeniable proof that miracles do happen. :)

A little frisbee golf thrown in...

 Even the Bonster made an appearance! 

 Holding little ones...

 Water balloon launching- oh, I got Christian good. Possibly a defining moment in history.

 Sweet kiddos