SeaWorld-Ryan's Birthday Weekend!:)

Got a little bit of catching up to do!;) Last month for Ryan's birthday the whole family enjoyed a weekend in San Diego together as a family at SeaWorld! Ryan turned 19 that Saturday-how time has flown!  We had a really great time!

Sea World only has a couple roller coasters, so this ride (Atlantis) was a real favorite!  Dad persuaded Mom to go on it once and that will most likely be the last time. She is content to "stay with the stuff."

Petting manta rays was pretty neat. Our Heavenly Father is truly an amazing Creator.

an underwater photo.....

They had a play area with  artificially made snow where you could throw snow balls at false front buildings

They also had a sledding area for small ones. There goes Timmy.

Evie really liked the huge tank outside the exit for Atlantis! She was quiet at first and pretty amazed,  but soon she was eagerly squealing and talking in her own way about the fish and rays!:)

Daddy got a little wet on Atlantis after riding a few times...He was nursing a sore ankle that day. He is doing much better now. What you see around his neck is a front of the line pass we got to use since he was a little disabled that day.

They had a ride called Wild Artic a motion simulator,  Ryan watched Evie who was too little to ride.:)

We almost filled the whole row!

Exiting the ride we went through a  building with a view and  windows to tanks holding whales and a walrus!

They had a "Polar Bear Tunnel" mom and the kiddos enjoyed going through.

A very fun greeting from a friendly baby beluga!:) Can you imagine what an adult looks like?

Riding in the elevator to get back up to the top level....

Dad's little chicks!:)

Daddy and his littlest girl.:)

Ryan watching the "penguin encounter".... It smelled very similar to a barn.

Going through the gift shop to the exit, a lady  gave the little boys some cards with facts about penguins. They enjoyed learning more about the birds!

It was nice to have some rides that we all could go on together. Here we are riding Elmo's Flying Fish.....:) similar to the plane ride at Camp Snoopy.

This ride was similar to Lucy's Tugboat.;)

Timmy being brave....

Evie was more than ready when it was her turn!

 We went through the Shark Encounter. It is a glass dome you go through on a conveyer belt pathway. A good illustration of the concept of faith. You trust the glass will not break as you are going through it.

After a full long day Daddy took us to dinner and then we enjoyed a restful night sleep at the Hyatt Place

We enjoyed a full breakfast before another day at Sea World. They have a special promotion- buy a day- get 2014 free.

This photo is for Amy and Ashlee Fox:)

Another adventure on Atlantis! Now you can see what a drop that is!

Isaiah and Daniel tried climbing sea-saw ladders here.... They ALMOST made it.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Ryan at lunch! Daddy bought him a piece of pumpkin pie cheesecake (he really likes pumpkin pie)  and of course being the sweet guy he is, Ryan wanted us all to share it with him.:)

Battling the rapids ride here- similar to "Bigfoot Rapids"

We must have gone on this ride 7 or 8 times!! You definitely get wet but it's a lot of fun!!! In addition, there are water cannons that people can put a quarter in to give you a good direct blast for about 10 seconds.

Timothy learned an important lesson this day. He made an agreement with one of his brothers to ride Atlantis. He thought he could weasel his way out of it by crying. We simply informed him several times that he was old enough to be responsible for what he said.  Well he did go on that coaster, and kept his word.The smile you see here is a very happy and relieved young man  enjoying a ride more his speed.

Dad squirting us with a canon!!!!

That waterfall kept running even when you went under it!!!!

we are so thankful for our little Evie....

These guys are really neat to watch together, and yes they sometimes "scuffle" but it is very rare.

Towards the evening we split up into two  groups. While the others went for more coasters, Dad, Mom, Timmy, Evie and I enjoyed the sky lift!

We got to ride twice, and Momma especially enjoyed this ride.;)

The sunset was beautiful and the scenery was lovely!

 This was the first time we had seen live flamingos and while they are pretty they do not smell the greatest.;)

Getting ready to head out of the park we grabbed a quick birthday photo of the "birthday guy"

We enjoyed  a new place Daddy found! We really like "Carne Asada" burritos

Since they only make big burritos Joshua, Timothy and Evie enjoyed "fish tacos" which are more their size.

I thought this picture was fitting to close with as Ryan is such a family man at heart. It is truly a blessing to see his love and gentleness when he is taking care of and spending time with his siblings or other little ones. Ryan is a real man. He is not afraid to stand up for what is right. He is brave,  and yet he understands the importance of a gracious, patient and loving spirit. We are so grateful for him and the 19 years God has blessed him with so far! We look forward to seeing what God has for him in the future!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.  I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendants are blessed."

                                                                                         Psalm 37:23-26

Home for Christmas

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God makes spaces where there seemed to be none. It is He who gives us the creativity we are so thankful for. We put our eating table outside so their was space for our Christmas tree in the dining area

We are "snug as bugs in a rug" and thankful for our cozy little home:) We are so thankful to be together.

                     From the oldest to the youngest ,we have all enjoyed working together this year

            We are soo blessed by all the love our Daddy has showered on us again this year

                            Our girls have enjoyed the protection and love of their Dad

                  Our home has echoed with his warm laughter and we have enjoyed growing closer to him

                                     " Daddy bought us a tree...."

Christ is represented by the top star, while all the smaller lights are the believers. The one thing we all have in common is that the source of our light is the same. Any good thing we do is powered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16

We hung stars and angels from the ceiling. We can use this this time of year to especially remind one another that God always fulfills His promises. That is a real comfort  and encouragement.

                    We are very blessed by family members piano playing and singing.

                           This year we all have a candy jar with a verse on the outside. 

                Evie really enjoys the lights! Her gratefulness over small things  is so sweet.

                                     Daniel and Isaiah put up the outside lights

                                                         A "sweet for the sweet"

Our ironing board is usually in the garage, However, with the table gone, not only does the Christmas tree fit, but we can bring the ironing board inside the house, which is really nice because the garage is not insulated an gets cold these days. Just another example of how the Lord has a provision for EVERY occasion we don't have to worry- just be flexible! :)

Uncle Paul comes over and shares Hebrew with us

It is always surprising what children play with. Just like a baby in the womb- only bigger!

                                                              Sharing Hebrew...

                         Some lights on the house- we changed the blue ones to match the others

                                   You can draw your own conclusions....

                                          Where we park Sunday mornings for church meetings 

                                        We attend Faith Baptist Church in Orange

         Ryan is our Sunday morning chauffeur. He's getting plenty of practice driving our big van.

                                       This is the courtyard outside our meeting place

                      This is the inside of our building. It is like our home- small but full of love.

                                           This is the nursery/ Sunday school room

                            Dad and the guys strung some lights in the tree tops
It was a fun opportunity to enjoy the new property. The property was being rented and was going to be sold to build apartments. Thankfully, the Lord provided so the fellowship could buy the property .This fellowship had the nickname "the traveling church."  Finally, by God's grace a permanent dwelling!

 

Evie celebrated her 2nd birthday! She really liked her card!

 Oma came to celebrate with us.....

 She got her a stuffed doggie and a nightgown....

We quickly drove over to the beach just as the sun was setting. The light from the sinking sun reflected several shades of pink, blue and gold. How amazing is our God! We enjoyed a walk along the shore as well as enjoying some yummy fried chicken from Ralphs. We usually get a 50 piece for our crew.;)

We made an ice cream sandwich cake, with homemade whipped cream, chocolate and caramel syrup, and chopped up butterfingers candy bars.

We had to help Evie blow out her candles. Even though Caytlin had been practicing candle blowing with Evie, when the time came she was fascinated by the light but did not blow them out.

     She enjoyed her cake:)

   Enjoying some potato cheese soup in classic little guy wardrobe.....

 These days find us busy with school....

We do our Algebra by video course. At present we have four students.

The teacher Mr. Firebaugh dropped the dry erase marker here. Now he is our friend, someone who makes mistakes like we do.:) It's funny how being real and letting people see your mistakes can draw you closer together.

 The other children do their schoolwork by computer- Switched On Schoolhouse. To the left is my cabinet from the Lord. After looking at many cabinets that were the wrong thing and formulating in my mind the exact cabinet I wanted- which seemed to be no where to be found. The Lord brought me right to it. I went to go look at another cabinet that I was going to settle for and there it was- 8 shelves a pull out desk and a light. Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Wednesday nights are pretty busy, after schoolwork is the prayer meeting. Ashley has a really good system of organizing the three little boys clothes down to the socks. The others slide right on in and help where needed.

    Dad got some new t-shirts from Voice of the Martyr.....

    What a blessing to have a Dad who loves to be with his sons.

Mailing the Christmas cards-they should be there soon....

Before getting a piece of candy each child says their verse....

"The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." 
                                                                                         Numbers 6: 24-26