beach week in review

We had a most enjoyable week at the beach last week. It's hard to know where to begin. We had an all around great time!We fished; we spent hours at the beach.We ate out at some of our favorite beach joints; we ate foods with no nutritional value.
We spent time with friends; we enjoyed time with cousins and grandparents.
We stayed at the beach longer than we ever have- long enough for the kids to actually ask if we could go home.
We played with the puppy; we took bike rides and walks on the beach.
We even talked Philip's cousin into babysitting 7 kids so we could go to my cousin's wedding. We came back and they were all wearing tatoos!
We wrapped vacation up with icees from Burger King.
You know it was what we call, "vacation, vacation" when Nathan gets his very own icee.
Oh and did I mention that I got an Ultra Flip camera for my birthday! So if all these photos weren't enough for you get ready for some videos!

Happy birthday Emma

It's hard to believe that my one and only baby girl is turning 7 tomorrow. It has been a fun year watching Emma grow and mature. She's had her first year of gymnastics and her first sleep overs. She has become a great reader and one who enjoys to learn, draw, paint and write. She continues to be a great helper who enjoys being with others. I've heard her tell others that she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. Not too long ago, we shared a beautiful conversation around the kitchen table about boyfriends. She told me doesn't even want to have a boyfriend until she knows that is what God wants for her. She has grown in her understanding of God and how he lives within her. She has cared for, fought with, read to, played with and loved her brothers in such beautiful ways. She is a blessing to us and we are proud to call her daughter.

The zoo

It's been two years since we took the kids to the Zoo. We joined up with a bunch of Philip's family and took advantage of the free passes due to our homeschool.As way of introduction, this adorable little fellow on Peter's lap is Ethan Russell Chryst. He is in the process of officially becoming part of the Chryst family by way of adoption but he has already made into our hearts and into the home of Peter and Nantasha!
It was great to have additional hands and arms as Nathan spent most of his time out of the stroller!
Although the temperature couldn't have been any cooler, it's hard to resist the mist fountain.

Irresistible

It's hard to decide which one is more irresistible this juicy fresh picked strawberry

or this face?We met some friends at the strawberry patch on Mother's Day to pick some yummy strawberries.

As if Nathan's face wasn't a confession enough, Philip did confess that we ate a "few" strawberries when we paid. They assured us that it's included in the price!

Spring Fever

I am no longer able to deny that I truly have spring fever. The weather has been just too beautiful to stay inside. I've tried opening the windows but the outdoors continues to draw us. Some days we bring our notebooks with us allowing me to feel at least slightly productive.
We wrote about the things we saw, heard and smelled. We drew pictures of the things around us.
Other days, like today, we just played. There's definitely more on my school agenda to complete before we call it a year.
I just know these refreshingly cool and bug free days won't last much longer and I hate to spend them indoors. Besides, there is so much to learn from playing.