Accident prone?

Brian and I are beginning to wonder if our kids are just accident prone!

We have learned to NEVER let our guards down!

We have learned to EXPECT the unexpected!

We have learned NOT to get too excited about paying off the last medical bill- another one will be right around the corner.

We have learned HOW to come up with really good stories to explain our battle scars.

("You should have seen the other guy!" Keagan's most recent phrase)

We have learned that little boys CANNOT have too many scars.

We have learned that girls CAN have a few scars, too.

We have learned that little sisters CAN become very cautious after witnessing so many injuries.

We have learned that little boys are just NOT meant to take perfectly flawless school pictures.

"Lookin' much better, son!"

On Saturday afternoon, Brian and Keagan were visiting with the neighbor in his shop when Keagan's face met up the forks of a fork lift. Keagan was standing about 5 ft. in front of the fork lift when he decided to turn and run back to the house to get something for Brian. The impact was so great, Keagan landed on his toosh several feet away from the forklift. He received a gash on his cheek bone and across the bridge of his nose. He walked away with a really bad headache and a black eye. Thank goodness he did not need stitches or that he did not receive a head concussion. We feel so blessed that God was watching over him. The injuries could have been worse.

Picture day is on Wednesday!

Groundbreaking begins...

Last week Angie's dad & brother, Brian traveled to clear & level some ground on our property. Thanks to their help and equipment we were able to save a lot of money.

Brian is hopeful to have a 24'x30' shed constructed before winter sets in. The shed was originally erected on the premises of the old St. 4. The building was put up for bid prior to moving into the new station. Brian won the bid at $500. A steal considering that the building was purchased by the union 13 years ago for $5,000. Who knows what this same size shed would have cost us today? At the beginning of summer, Brian and Tim spent 3 days disassembling and moving the parts to our property. We have a BIG project ahead of ourselves, but feel very blessed to have had this opportunity. God gives us exactly what we need! Thank you Lord for watching over us!

THANKS AGAIN GUYS! WE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU DID!

Justice turned 4!

Two weekends ago the kids and I traveled down to Napa to celebrate Justice's 4th birthday. The weather was perfect, the food was amazing and the fellowship with friends and family was GREAT!

Thanks Uncle Brian, Aunt Michele, Cousin Trinity, Cousin Felicity, Cousin Journey & Cousin Justice for inviting us to your party!

WE HAD A BLAST!

All grown-up!

Our kids have been very blessed to have grown-up along with their uncles and aunts on both the Warta and Penterman sides. One by one these loved ones have graduated from high school, attended college and gotten married. Recently, Uncle Josh moved to the bay area to attend Berkley University. Days before leaving, Josh spent the afternoon with us, playing football with the kids. These times are SO priceless! We look forward to the next visit.

Back To School!

It is back to school for Hailey and Keagan.

Bethany wanted to "take a picture with brother and sister to make their day special". How sweet is that?

Hailey is now in the 5th Grade!

Keagan started the 3rd grade with a snazzy new pair of Hummer reading glasses. He absolutely loves them, but is a little concerned about what his friends will say. We think he looks very handsome! His teacher says, "Keagan's glasses look very cute on him!"

And it is off to the races! Do you remember the adrenaline rush that raged through your body on the 1st day of school? Wouldn't it be nice if we could have just an ounce of that each time we had to go to the grocery store?

This is why Brian and I continue to make those monthly tuition payments. The sacrifice is worth it all to know that our children are taught the Word of God and that the principal can be seen morning after morning praying with the parents.
We do not take this for granted! In fact, we know we are blessed to have the resources in this economy to invest into our children's spiritual, emotional and educational future.

We are excited to see what God is going to do in the lives and hearts of Hailey and Keagan this school year!!!

Lazy Summer Days...

...have to come to end sometime. School starts tomorrow-somewhat of a bitter sweet. No more late nights. No more sleeping in. No more lazy days by the pool. No more vacations. And definitely no more afternoon naps on the couch with dad.

Here are a few "not yet posted" photos that capture our super fun, yet extremely relaxing summer!

Hailey planned & organized a birthday party for Bethany's dollies.

Swimming-

The GAP at Gauche Park.

Bethany learning how to jump off the side of the pool.

Bethany took a special liking to her life jacket instead of arm wings or a ring.

Our church's MOMS group met at this pool one afternoon. The kids all thought the view was astonishing.

Bethany was able to get to know a couple of the girls in her Sunday School class.

Our Neighbors pool.

Keagan mastered jumping off the diving board, sliding down the slide and "how NOT to" belly flop.

Hailey is and always has been a water bug. She is a great help at entertaining Bethany in the water.

Keagan enjoys eating watermelon and sunbathing by the pool most of all.

Swimming with the Horton's & the Stanford's.

The girls table.

Throughout the summer we had the great privilege of connecting with some old friends. The Stanford's were visiting for the summer while Scott is deployed and the Horton's traveled down from Gridley. At least once a week, we would try to schedule a park day or a swimming day.

Just the mommies got away one evening for a dinner by themselves.

The boys table.

Bethany and Evelyn have grown-up since birth.

The big kids were showing off for the camera.

Friends-

Throughout the summer Hailey and Keagan were able to have a couple of sleepovers with friends. I don't have any photos of the boys because frankly, I can't keep up with them. The girls on the other hand stick to one activity for a longer period of time.

Hailey's friends are so generous in letting Bethany "hang-out" with them.

Hailey planned a surprise birthday party for her friend Elise because she was sad that she would not be able to attend her sleepover the next week.

Cousins-

Swimming in Napa with Cousin Justice while visiting Aunt Destiny.

Lots of good times with Cousin Lacey, Cousin Cameron & Cousin Corey.

Uncle Josh babysat the kids a few times this summer. He took the kids bowling,
cooked them a big breakfast, gave violin lessons, played games, and just spent quality time with each of them. Thank you Uncle Josh! We are going to miss you!

These cousins are just plain silly.

We had a super fun time playing with our out-of-state cousins, Mya and Zeke.

Church BBQ at the GAP-

Hailey has made a couple of good friends at church which we are super excited to see.

The girls would rather sit and watch...

while the boys would rather run & splash!

There's always room for a little belly swimming.

Uncle Brian talked Landon & Bethany into going in the big pool.

Sea-sick from a tug boat?

Oh yes, it can happen when the whole family is aboard.

HOLD ON GIRLS, this is going to be a rough ride!

The GRAND FINALE!!!

The last week of our summer vacation Keagan traded his quad for a motorcycle with another 8 year old boy at the firehouse. The trade was only going to be for one week. Keagan sure was excited. But I have to tell all you mothers to trust your motherly intuition. You see, Keagan has a history of injuring himself in the way of stitches or head concussions the last week of school or the week before school starts. I asked Brian, "Are you sure we are not shooting ourselves in the foot with the timing of this trade?" He assured me that he would make Keagan take it slow.

On the third day into this trade, Brian thought it would be a good idea for Hailey to give it a try. She was eager to learn...or should we say a little too eager. She made it 3 ft. from Brian at a speed of 2 miles an hour before her knee met up with the gravel driveway. OUCH!!! Her knee split open 3 inches long and 1 inch wide all the way to her patella. She never cried! She made it through the Urgent Care visit with 5 external stitches and several internal, dis solvable stitches. After 4 days on crutches and pain meds she is hobbling around quite well. Her stitches come out on Thurs.

Hailey on her crutches at Back to School night.

Keagan next to his desk at Back to School night.