Alia

I took Alia's portraits today in the creative mode on my camera. This was my first time. I felt a little bit like Bob Wiley from What About Bob- "I'm sailing!! I'm sailing!! I sail!...
I didn't make any adjustments on photoshop - nice!

Here's my beautiful subject...

Cuteness

Portrait time began this week...

School

We are well into our 9th year of "officially" homeschooling. I've learned much and gained a lot of experience. I've learned that there is still a lot more to learn on my part. I've found things that work and things that don't. I have come to love this experience more and more each year.

This year we have a preschooler. This is a highlight in our day. We do alphabet activities with him and little science and math activities. It is so delightful to initiate the simple beginnings of education.

Morning walks

Ashlie works with Matt on a experiment with mixing colors.

Floating letter "F's" and testing objects to see if they sink or float.

Alia doing her own floating experiment

Nathaniel's quilt

The quilt is all done and Nathaniel approves.

Playing with the big trucks

What more could a little boy ask for? Fire trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, tractors and many more all lined up at the annual "Touch a Truck". Matt got to sit inside, honk the horns (hence the earplugs) and basically play with the big rigs. So much fun.

Mr. Brown is a wonder...

 During one of our recent storms after hearing a big thunder clap Matthew says "that's Mr. Brown up there making thunder".

We've read this book a time or two...never realizing how literally our 2 year old would take its wording...until now.

Summer Wrap up

Saying goodbye to Summer is so bittersweet.  This Summer we...

...made and popped over 300 water balloons

 Played at the beach.

 Learned to climb to new heights...

 

And discovered the joy of a swing...

 Shared fun times with our siblings...

 Fixed things around the house...

 Toured a firestation...

Had a tea party...

Sailed on makeshift canoes

 

Saw some interesting plants

 Got to vacation with cousins

 Went for lots of jogs

Enjoyed the grass while taking care of our friend's bunnies

Made a couple purchases - one big, one small.

Guess which one is Aaron's and which one is Matt's...

 Celebrated some birthdays

Soaked up the sun and stayed cool in the lake

 

 Harvested a lot of cherry tomatoes from our garden

(this picture is just the beginning)

 Canned peaches and jam

We love you Summer! See you next year!

Family, Freedom, Fun

The first week of July, my 3 siblings, their spouses, a combined total of 18 children and one dog converged at the humble abode of my wonderful parents. The heat wave did not deter us from our delightful adventures. We swam, visited an airplane museum, rode horses, hiked, toured Timpanogos cave, played at parks, had a "colonial" experience and celebrated the independence of the USA.  The memories are priceless.

Our hiking group playing spot the difference...

Matthew's rock climbing achievement.

Love this picture - a trust jump to Dad.

The beautiful Miss Courtney - AKA "Mexican Cliff Rose".

Alia and Courtney inside the cave

Romance in the cave

Cave formations

Carding wool at Colonial days

Madelyn in Colonial dress

Playing in the stream near the pool.

Happy 4th of July!

And yes...that is a blow torch - the final touch to our firework show.