more pics from our favorite city

Most of these Nate took so I wanted to make sure I posted them. These were taken during one full day of walking and riding the city bus. We walked around China town, Union Square and the Financial District. Taking it all in.. it was a great day!


We thought we could get Dad to crop this and make it work for a facebook profile picture...

I Heart Saturday AND.....the golden gate bridge

practically perfect in every way

Veritas History Class - salt relief map

The salt relief dough was sticking stuff! - and I barely had enough. But, I think they turned out great. The kids are now adding labels of each body of water, Upper and Lower Egypt, The Great Pyramid at Giza and anything else they want to as they study Egyptian history. If I was to do it again, I would stick toothpicks where I wanted lables before it dried.

Fun project!

I Heart Saturday AND......my tv cabinet

Pier One Imports - garage sale find $25

Thank you honey for not complaining that it is a little too big. I have watched you almost hit it several times. You are learning to walk around it as you go in and out of the bedroom. You have not complained. Not even once, 'cause you know how much I like it.

how to eat a cupcake

One of the many, cute, trendy cupcake shops around. This one is in Orange,CA and it is just fun!

Has kind of a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theme. Loved this poster of Audrey holding a red velvet cupcake.

Matt surprised us all when he broke the cupcake (banana - oh so good!) in half...

took the bottom half and placed it over the top...

so now he has this cupcake perfection - no bite without the frosting and no messy frosting mouth!

I had not taught him that...so I asked "Matt, where did you see that?!!"

"Oh, it was on the Food Network at our hotel on vacation." :)

I'm so glad he did - I feel like this will change my life. Not really, just make me eat more cupcakes! Seriously, I did not even order a cupcake, but of course, after I saw him do that I could not wait to try it.

Have you seen a cupcake eaten like that before? Maybe I have just been in the dark.

Or, you can eat it the traditional way. Ever so carefully and basically, just licking off the frosting!

the vine

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:4-5

Elyse Fitzpatrick notes:

In my typical self-aggrandizing fashion, I overlook what he's saying about his being the vine. Instead I focus on what I have to do to abide.

Oh, yes, yes, I know that you are the vine, but now I've got to abide. Let's see...what should I do first?

I overlook the truth that it's his power that births and sustains the entire plant. He's supplying all that's necessary for my growth and fruitfulness.

It's his life, his purpose, his determination to be in union with me - that is the central point.

It is not about what I must do.

(Taken from Day 20 Comforts of the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick)

* Photo -"American Idol's" vineyard under construction in San Miguel next door to my Aunt's property.

Veritas History Class- creation art work

I have the privilege of working with this group of students every Wednesday!

As a way of reinforcing what they are learning studying history (Egypt, Greece and Rome) we will be getting together to do fun projects and review our facts.

This first week we are starting from the beginning - creation. The kids had artistic freedom to illustrate the days of creation and as they colored we talked about the awesomeness of creation and God's perfect, scientific thinking. What a super fun group of kids. So looking forward to this year!

the girl had a birthday (in May)

Bria's birthday is the kick off to summer fun. I went immediately into summer mode and never posted pictures from her big day!

Our tradition is to wake the kids up early with a candle in a doughnut. They get to open one present in bed. Guaranteed to start the day with smiles - of which this girl has plenty of as she opens her oldest brothers' gift.

She wanted a "spa" party, but she was also hoping for a sleepover with a couple girls and was also wanting to go to the mall. SO, the girls came over for presents...

then we were off for pedicures....

to the mall....





can you tell these girls are a blast to be with!!?

Island's for dinner - Brian and the brothers met us there. They were easily entertained by these 8 year old's as well. Brian told the waiter we were celebrating all three girls tonight and we would like three birthday ice cream cups :)

and then sleepover fun!! These silly girls did not get to sleep until 3:00 AM! I could not believe it - and I was the fortunate one that got to wake them for church :)

Bria said it was the best day of her life and she wishes she could do it all again!

I Heart Saturday AND.....outside movie night

It worked out great with a white sheet nailed to the wall - just can't tell with flash photo.

of course we had to have meat pies....."Heavenly!Not as hearty as bishop, perhaps,but then again, not as bland as curate, either!"

Great memory with some awesome teenagers - two of which are off to the mission field and will be missed very much.