Christmas Visit

We are so blessed to have several friends who live in our small town that also homeschool.

This year for our Christmas Party we first went to a local assisted living home and sang Christmas carols, played the piano and visited with the residents. We all loved it so much!

One of the residents mentioned how they love this time of year because people come and visit. This saddened me because I know I am guilty of thinking of these types of ministries only around the holidays!

We, as a group, have decided that we would make this a regular outing for our children. We plan to go back and play games and do crafts with the residents throughout the coming year!

Visit with Santa

Thankfully M still wants to sit on Santa's lap.

My older ones think that it is so "babyish" to see Santa. Thankfully their daddy asked them to please do it for mom :)

Since our friends were also there, I asked if they all would go see Santa. Again, there was some resistance by the boys, but they finally agreed since they were doing it together with their friends  :)

Sweet Friends

M and her friend E are the best of friends. I love watching them hug when they see each other then take off running to go play. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives!

M's Artwork

M went to her friend E's birthday party at a local art studio. They painted these cute little mermaid pictures. I think M did a fantastic job on hers, don't you?

Harvest Day 2012

This year Harvest Day was a little different for us. Usually we just enjoying walking around and buying things at the booths around the square, but this year, we had a booth!

E needed to earn money for Winter Retreat that the youth group will be going on in December. She, along with some friends of ours who also needed to earn money for the trip, decided to get a booth and sale some of their crafts.

Both families have younger kids who did not want to be left out, so they also made things to sale. Overall, it was a great success and tons of fun! What isn't when you are doing it with friends?  :)

Silly Girls

This is our friend S who also homeschools and lives in our small town. We would sometimes see her at the ball fields since she played in the same league as B. When she wasn't playing soccer, she could be found playing with the girls.

This particular night they were seeing who could blow the biggest bubble with their 5 cent gum :)

Back to School party

We had a Back to School party at our house with some of our homeschooling friends. Sadly, I took a picture of the cake and that was it! Oh, well, maybe next time I will do better!

We are so thankful to have such great friends with whom we can get together and do play dates and parties with throughout the year!

Music by Moonlight 2012

Our local park has a series of nights throughout the summer that bring music to the park. 

photos thanks to my friend, Leah

We went to the park a little early and let the kids play on the playground. We also did a a few Geo-caches in the park. Then as the sun was going down, we enjoyed a picnic while listening to patriotic music by a local Army band.

Geocaching...Summer Fun!

Spending time with friends is the best way to spend our summers!

We went geocaching with the T family early one morning before it got too hot. This is the kids in front of our local KK peanut. There was a geocache there (which was MIA) and also a breakfast treat!!!! Fun times...oh how I love summer!

The Suprise Party

Last night, we were able to pull off a surprise party for E's 13th birthday!

A few of her friends came over and popped up from behind the island when she walked in the door. She was genuinely surprised!!!! Love her facial expression :)

Group shot of the girls.

Of course you get the camera out and they want to have some fun shots...love this one!

What a great group of girls! I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed E with such sweet friends this year!

The Summer Camp Play

Some of our friends were in a play on the final day of summer camp at a local theater company. We went to see them and I am so glad that we did! 

The play was so cute and very cleverly written.

Both of our friends, did an outstanding job!

Summer 2012 is.....

spending the day with good friends!!!!

Beauty and the Beast

We went to see a Beauty and the Beast play that was put on by a local christian school.  They did a wonderful job!

Field trips are always fun when shared with great friends!

Our gang waiting for the play to start.

Some of the other kids from our homeschool group that were there.

Buddies

B and M are buddies on the field and off.  I am so glad that we get to share this baseball season with great friends!

                                                                    photo source: M's mom, Leah

Sweet Friends

These girls have the best time when they are together.

I am so thankful that my kids have great friends to hang out with!

Silly String Fun

E had her friend M come over for the afternoon. One of their many activities included a silly string fight. They wore shower caps to make sure their hair stayed clean for the evening service and kiddy sunglasses to protect their eyes....silly girls :)

Play Date at the Park

We are loving this spring like weather right now! Thanks to the beautiful weather we decided to go spend a few hours at a local park with some friends. We had a wonderful time..a much needed play break from all the craziness going on with the house right now!

Going on the boardwalk looking for turtles to feed.

Feeding the farm animals

Helping to gather the eggs

House Warming Party and Recipe

I co-hosted a House Warming party today for a great friend of mine.  It was a lot of fun to throw this party for them so all their friends and family could come by and see their new home. I am so excited for them and the new house the Lord has blessed them with.
This is the food table. Don't you love the centerpiece? I wanted to do something unexpected and I think it worked!

It was super simple. Gather some twirly branches from your yard. Spray paint them with your choice of color. Once they are dried, arrange them in a vase. Then decorate them with ornaments of various shapes and sizes. SO EASY!
Lastly, several people asked for my "Heart Attack" dip recipe. (I really need to come up with a new name...hahhaa) Here's the link if you are interested.

Friends

There is nothing like spending the day with a friend.

E and her friend, R

M's Sleepover

M is having her first sleepover tonight.

They are BOTH so EXCITED!!!!