Is It True, A Year Has Passed?

I don't know why I decided to look at my blog today. "I haven't done so in a long time", I thought to myself. So, when I logged in (I had to get a reminder from the site as to what my password was), I couldn't believe it had been a whole year - TO THE DAY!

Yes, it's sad to say that it has been a year to the day since my last blog! Where have I been? What have we been doing? Tons! And I hope to chronicle it soon. But as a new year's resolution (Rosh Hashana), I am going to do much better at chronicling the life of my family.

Just a quick update -- Micah is 11yo and in 6th grade, Caleb is 8yo and in 4th grade, Sarah just turned 6 yo and is in 1st grade and Isaac is doing kindergarten work now, even though he won't be 4 until next month.

So, if you've been visiting wondering what happened to us - the answer is an oxymoron - MUCH and NOTHING all at the same time.

"I Look Just Like Caleb"

That's what Isaac said when he saw himself in the mirror after daddy gave him a buzz haircut. And boy, does he! My baby is growing up! Now, with his very first buzz haircut, he doesn't even look like my baby anymore! But he is my handsome big boy!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

We went to the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival, but we didn't! We really couldn't afford to pay to go to the festival and pay for parking, so we found a great place to park and thankfully they flew right overhead! I've been to the granddaddy of them all in Albuquerque, NM and went up in a balloon. Back then (15 years ago) it only cost $80 - Now it costs $250! But we had a great time! Hopefully we'll make it an annual tradition.

Our Awesome Solar System!

Caleb, Tobin, Evan, Subin, Ethan, and Micah

We have a science co-op with 2 other familes and we are studying Jeannie Fulbright's Exploring Creation with Astronomy. We made our solar system out of proportionally sized ballooons except for the sun which we just used the biggest ball we had. We were really amazed at how small some of the planets are compared to others. You can't even see Pluto! (yes, we know that the science community has dubbed Pluto simply a subplant) It truly was an excellent visual!

As an aside, yes, I will try to blog more often. It's actually been almost 6 months since I've entered anything. I plan to go back and update all the fun we've had the last 6 months. But in the meantime, we've started school and for the most part are having a blast!

Sarah Turns 5!

My only daughter is 5 years old! I'm in shock! The whole family went to Applebee's for dinner (her choice) with Gram, Grandpa, Aunt Heather and cousin Will. Grandmother and Granddad planned to be there, but Grandmother ended up in the hospital requiring emergency surgery. Thankfully, she is okay. Sarah received so many wonderful, princess presents! Where has the time gone!

Splash Kingdom

We went to a water park with a local church. The water park is located in Canton about 40 minutes away. It was a great time to cool off for a really discounted price! And on the way out, we were gifted a bunch of fizzy yogurt (the kids liked it) and a bunch of Free Chick-Fil-A sandwich coupons! Just what our waistlines needed!

Mesquite Rodeo

We received free tickets to the rodeo this summer. Unfortunately, it was on the same date as a concert John had planned for he and I to go to. So, in comes the wonderful grandparents. Gram, Grandpa and Grandmother took all 4 kids to the rodeo. I was told that had a great time. It was hard to get a lot of pictures, but look at all the kids that went down to main grounds! And we had a great time at the concert.

Cow Appreciation Day

We have a Chick-Fil-A way too close to our home! We participated in the Cow Appreciation Day and we each received a free meal! YUM!

Lost Tooth!

Caleb lost his first tooth!

Summer Fun with Our Tennessee Friend!

Pool Birthday Party!

Rollerskating with friends!

Living at the pool!

Self proclaimed rock band "Super Snakes"

Making stepping stones for Grandma's Garden

I say, I say Boy!

Jerusalem Markplace VBS

Dominic came to visit us for almost 6 weeks this summer. We did so much, it's hard to remember all of it! We went to Tulsa, to see Micah's Grandma, Aunt Dodie and cousins Ryker and Jestique. We went to Six Flags, almost lived in the pool, celebrated Micah's birthday early, went to a few VBS' and played, played, oh and did I say played! Here are just a few pics from the whirlwind visit!

We've Got Guitar Hero!

Well, we've actually had it since March. Caleb generously donated a large portion of his birthday money so that he, Micah and daddy could enjoy the game. I've actually played it twice. Check out the guitar face!

Beit Or Camp Out

Our entire (almost) fellowship went on a camping trip just before it got really hot in Texas. We had a great time! Lots of fun, food and fellowship. We had a wonderful Shabbat admiring God's creation up close, played in a nearby lake and the boys had fun telling scary stories around the campfire.

Whatever Works!

I'm pretty sure you couldn't read like this in public school! One of the many beauties of homeschooling!

Dallas Zoo

We didn't get a lot of pictures, but we went to the Dallas Zoo with some friends from the neighborhood and from church.

I have the goofiest kids!

And I have no idea where they get it! Yes, I do, and it's not me!

Watermelon Fun!

We get to see family often now that we're in Texas and we love it!

Alvin and the Chipmunks in Concert

My kids love Alvin and the Chipmunks, but especially Caleb. I think their love started when we bought a boom box at a yard sale. It had the Tazmanian Devil on the front of it and someone left a cassette tape in the player. It was a bunch of popular songs featuring the Chipmunks singing them. Ever since then, they love them. So when I saw that a local mall was having a mini-concert for free, we had to go.

By the way, it was the first time my children (except for Micah) had EVER been in a mall! To say the least, it was overwhelming for them! The things you don't realize your children haven't done when you live in a small town. Now we're in the big city (at least nearer to one).