Happy Campers

Though Kevin and I have camped a lot, we haven't tried it yet since moving south.  So Daddy loaded up the car with all the gear and the two oldest kids, and off they went to Huntsville State Park.  They had a great first trip, full of duct tape tent repairs, heat and humidity, large alligators, long campfire stories, persistent raccoons, popcorn, and canoeing.
   

 

The little ones and I joined them the next day for a little lunch and exploring.

 

 

Abby is One!

Abby is now a one-year-old, and we had a great time introducing her to a Boaz family birthday in her honor!

First, she learned how to open her birthday stocking.

 

Her siblings showed her how to play with her new tea party toys.

 

And she had a crash-course in being the guest of honor at her dinner party.  She warmed up to her guests and charmed everyone with her smile!

 

The final lesson:  How to eat cupcakes.  Who knew lemon frosting tasted so good?

Kevin's Comeback

 

It's been a while since Kevin's been able to play any basketball, so he was pretty excited to play in a three-on-three tournament this weekend!

 

 

Lots of action...

 

A little pain (especially the next day!)...

 

 

But lots of fun.  His smile in this picture says it all!

Spring Fever

We are ready... READY... to finish up school!

 

 

So Naomi and Johnathan have been attacking their lists with a vengeance, while Ezra bounces off the walls, and Abby protests her exclusion from whatever fun thing must be happening at the school table.

 

Time for a summer break!

A Sweet Day

 

I had such a sweet Mother's Day...

 

 

Snuggling with my four sweeties...

 

Visiting two nursing homes with Naomi's choir, listening to their sweet voices...

And coming home to a dinner of gourmet burgers with handmade onion rings, with fruit-filled crepes for dessert.

 

My family is all the gift I could ask for any day, so this particular Sunday was just a sweet blessing!

Just johnathan

A few photos from the life of Johnathan lately...

A "super Lego man"

Teaching Abby how to catch

Angry Birds in 3D

And a glimpse into his well-ordered mind, which I discovered when I sat down to do lesson plans this afternoon.

At the Drive-in

Boxes + spray paint + ideas generated by two Boaz kids = these cars for the Sparks Drive-in.

Johnathan was awarded "most imaginative" for his "Jump Car" with wings (don't tell anyone the wings were originally windows that flopped over).

Naomi drove the "most humane" car - a Sea World rescue truck, of course!

Swingin' into Spring