Homeschooling, Birthdays, New Baby & More

We have been pretty busy around here. Homeschooling is still going good. We get more done on some days than others. I guess regular school is like that too (just without the Mama guilt). The boys are doing well in their studies. Lauren is so eager to learn and she gets tired of waiting her turn!
Ethan and I have both celebrated another birthday. He is nine and me...well...I won't tell. We did have special birthdays though complete with special family celebrations.
















I have a brand new neice!!!! Sara Beth was born a couple of weeks ago. She was 8lbs and 9oz! I am so proud!!! We hate that she lives a couple of hours away and we can't kiss on her as much as we want to!











We had a wonderful few days of autumn weather but now it is 90F again this weekend:( Still we are enjoying this season of football, pumpkins, and getting ready for hunting season (at least the boys are). We had our first weiner roast of the season last week (before the burn ban) and the kids loved it. I love it too. Nothing is easier for supper than that and everyone is happy! Thad and I had our first date since he has been home. We ate at our favorite place and then went to Target. You know you're old when your date nite looks like that. We had a relaxing evening and enjoyed it.

More to Come!!!

Disney Family Pics

Lauren's favorite Prince and Princess: Aladdin & Jasmine















Time out for some lovin'

















Me & Lauren in the Nemo Ride




















One of the kid's favorite things- digging for fossils at Animal Kingdom!!

















Aaron enjoying his root beer float!

Got an idea???

















How about now??


















This princess has been asking to go here since she was two!!
(Can you believe I couldn't turn these around?)




















MY GANG!

(Just tilt your head a little to the left....more....now- see what a good pic!)

















Brotherly Love! (I love this picture)

Nothing is better than getting away when you need to just GET AWAY!!! We have some sweet friends that let all six of us crash at their house. They live just five or ten minutes away from this:




















The kids love the beach. Everyone is happy doing their own thing! Aaron was having a blast building this and not too bothered by the hurricane that was making the waves almost five feet tall.





























Teamwork!






















Daddy burying Lauren's feet while she holds on to his hat.






We had such a nice time relaxing and visiting. They also live close to somewhere else. More pictures on that next.....

Can You Guess Who Had a Birthday???

I will give you a hint: Lauren picked out the cake!










Lauren and Brendan putting in the candles.

















The Birthday Boy blowing out all 37 Candles!!!!

Summer Photos

Brendan is in the very top of this tree. Click on the pic to see if I uploaded the right picture.











Lauren decided that my Papaw needed a makeover with two different pair of sunshades and a little purple eyeshadow.











I guess the tiger was about to attack the lincoln log/card cabin.














This was just one of the forts they made. They dove over it onto a mattress on the other side.












Lots of miles put on the razor.

We are Homeschooling!

That's our big news for now! I will be homeschooling a 3rd grader, a 2nd grader, and my preschooler! This is something that I have always wanted to do. This year it just became a necessity or what we decided was way better for our kiddos! We are all excited to see what this year brings. I pray that it will:

-bring us closer together
-give us a freedom from most of that "school stuff" that took up a lot of time/$
-give my chilren a chance to get stronger in their weak areas
-give us more time to study God's Word together
-allow the boys to spend more time with Dad doing things they love

We are planning on joining our nearest homeschool group so there will be plenty of time for play with friends(as if having 3 other siblings isn't enough). We will also be at the mission to work two days a week. These will be days for the boys to do some "on their own" type of work. I do know that this won't always be the easiest thing but I think it is the best for this year.

Our oldest will continue to go to school for now. Seventh grade is too much for me at this point. I would love to have a year under my belt with just the younger kids.
So, I will try my best to keep you updated on all of this. Please pray for us as we embark upon this new adventure this year!