Christmas 2010

T turned 9 in August. He has enjoyed playing his first season of football, and misses playing very much. T wants to be a lot of things when he grows up. One thing he wants to do is to start his own police organization, but it's top secret and I can't share any information on our family blog.

K turned 8 in November and has been taking piano lessons since May. K wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

L will be 6 in March, and she loves all things that sparkle, and to accesorize her outfits. L is busy learning how to read this year and being Mommy's special helper all around the house. L wants to be a ballerina when she grows up.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Happy 8th Birthday, K!

Happy Birthday to my funny, creative, sweet, and servant-hearted 8-year-old little girl! I love you!

Vacation Day #7

Wednesday, November 3rd was our final day at the condo. We spent time at the beach, the pool, and at a mini golf course. It was a fun and busy last day!

Vacation Day #6

On Tuesday, November 2nd, we drove over to Sanibel Island. We visited the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

K participated in a junior ranger activity and was awarded a Junior Ranger badge at the end.

We went on a drive through the refuge, and we actually spotted a live alligator in its natural habitat! This was so exciting!

Along the driving trail, there were a few trails you could pull over and park, get out of your vehicle and go on a walking trail and explore.

Along a walking trail, we saw this really cool ORANGE grasshopper!

Of course we spent more time at the beach once we got back to our condo!

Vacation Day #5

We weren't planning on going to a zoo, but we learned that this particular zoo had an alligator feeding show, so we decided to go on Monday, November 1st. K thought it was pretty cool that right when she walked into the zoo she saw a bird that looked a lot like the one on her shirt! The zoo was a small zoo, but it was one of the most relaxing times we've ever had at the zoo. I think it had something to do with the fact that it was a Monday and November!

The alligator feeding show was cool, but don't try this in the wild, folks!

Dad always lets the kids get a small souvenir from the zoo gift shop. The children have things from zoos in Tennessee, Nebraska, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and now Florida.

Vacation Days #3 and #4

This is the beautiful view from our condo!

On Saturday, October 30th we spent more time on the beach. L is just chillin' out and watchin' the waves come in.

Now L is running from the waves. Dad and T like to get out and let the waves hit them. They also liked trying to use "the force" (think Star Wars) to stop the waves.

K was focused and diligent with her sand castle building endeavors. She was really excited when we came back Sunday afternoon and she found it all still standing!

Horseshoe Crab!

T slept on the pull out couch.

These are bunk beds the girls slept on. Actually, they only slept on them for a couple nights and then all three kids ended up sleeping on the furniture in the living room.

On day #4, Sunday, October 31, we went to a nearby church for a worship service, ate lunch out, and then went back to the condo to rest and then headed to the beach!

Vacation Day #2

We made it to the beach around 4pm on Friday, October 29th. We unpacked the van, and headed straight to the beach!

I saw some of the most gorgeous sunsets during our stay here at Ft. Myers Beach, FL.

The tidal pools were fun to wade across and play in. It was fun to look for little fish and watch the beautiful birds eat.

Vacation Day #1

On Thursday, October 28th, we left at 3a.m. and Savannah, GA was our destination. We crossed over this BIG bridge (I am scared of bridges).

We made it to Paula Deen's restaurant, "The Lady and Sons" at 2:30 in the afternoon, and were able to enjoy a late lunch (which was technically our dinner since we ate breakfast and lunch so early since we woke up at 2:3o a.m.).

After dinner, we walked to the riverfront and explored the area. It was nice to walk around after so many hours in the minivan.

This is my favorite picture from Savannah! These oak trees with Spanish moss are beautiful!

I'll post tomorrow about our second day of vacation.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Last Friday, we packed a picnic lunch and our kites and headed to one of our favorite PA state parks! This was T, K, and L's first kite flying experience, and we had so much fun! I don't have any memories of flying a kite as a child, and Heath said he hasn't flown a kite since he lived in Germany. He only lived in Germany for preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st grade - so it has been a while since he's flown a kite. K just asked me today if we were going to fly our kites again this weekend. She can't wait to go again!

Apple Pickin' 2010

This is our third year apple pickin' in PA! This is a picture of the children in 2008

2009

2010

The children and I went apple picking on Saturday, and this week we've been busy making dumplings, apple butter, and jelly!

More Football

Last Sunday, T had his first game, and I took a lot of pictures. This week, I plan on just watching because you miss a lot of the action when you have a camera in front of your face.

Playing quarterback!

Check out that pass!

Flag Football

T's first football season has begun! He is very excited! I am sure we'll be posting more pictures throughout the season!