A GLIMPSE OF OUR CHURCH PICNIC

A very small glimpse.

We had other plans during the day and so we arrived a bit late..and then ya know how it goes..watching the kids, chatting with this and that person..pictures are not always first and foremost.  Anyway, here are a few.

 It is nice that for this event every year, everyone has to travel to us, rather than the other way around!  ;)  The picnic location is about 15 minutes from our house.  Church is about 60 minutes from our house.

Grilling.

 Michael, Olive, and Rena.

Michael only wanted to play with Olive.  

It was cute.

(Maybe because we had just seen her a few days before at music class!!)

 Eden peeked her head in there too..

 After dinner, we all gathered around the flagpole for some patriotic songs and music as we remembered 9/11.

 Greg and Chris-John provided some trumpet music.

 The fortunate ones that stood within camera distance..

Some of the other ones were blurry so I left them out.

 Travis and Anneke getting acquainted.

They are about 6 weeks apart.

She being the elder.

 :)

And as you can see from the background, it was pretty dark by then and we packed up to head home.

Always a nice time.

Till next year!

(maybe I'll get some more/better pics)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VV!!

It has been almost a month now since Victoria turned one and here are the pictures.  Frogs have been her thing since before she was born.  So, I made her a frog cake.  Here it is just finished.

 Victoria and Travis.

 Birthday girl!!

 This was hurricane Irene weekend, so we were stuck indoors.

They put a bunch of kid stuff out on the porch to keep the kids occupied and somewhat confined in the small space.

 Time for presents

 Silly girl.

 Victoria loved the book from her Grandma.

 We had just packed away our jumper..and here he is enjoying this one.

 Cake made by Aunt Sarah.

She got a stuffed animal to match.

Or I guess it should be the other way around..the cake was made to match the animal.

 As you can see, frogs were prevalent. 

 She needed a bit of help with the candle.

 Annnnndddd the traditional cake shots.

 Happy Birthday, big girl!

PAINT

We debated going to the park the other day after school, but decided on staying home.  And painting our faces.  Aren't they cute?

We love imaginative play.

CARINA BALLERINA

Today was Carina's first day of "ballerina school,"  as she likes to call it.  

Excited much?! 

These are from before class started..

 After class..

I think she had fun.

Don't you?

Carina has been talking about going to "Ballerina School" for MONTHS now, I'm so glad we were able to enroll her.  

It is funny, this is the same place I used to go as a kid--up until I graduated high school.  Her teacher was my teacher (and she still looks fantastic, actually even better than I remember--how do some people do that?)  We aren't able to sit and watch the class, but they do have a big recital at the end of the year for everyone to come and enjoy.  I'll try to post more pictures throughout the year.