Thursday evening, we took Ashley, Ryan and Daniel to the airport.
Originally, it was just going to be Mom and the three oldest. However, at the last minute everyone wanted to come...
So as we entered the airport, we had multiple children who had no shoes on. They were having fun in the yard and barefoot is most comfortable for most of us:)
making sure the carry-on fits
This little guy sure loves his big sister
We were so thankful they are able to fly out of John Wayne Airport near our home and come home there too!
Mom and Daniel are partners in crime! Just an expression- they have a lot of fun together being silly:)
When we came in, there were four barefooted piggy- backers. Here is Isaiah with Nathanael
Checking in at security
watching from afar...
Everything goes in the buckets, including all metal items
These were taken with Dad's phone
Daniel going through the scanner
Joshua on Dad's shoulders and Nathanael on Isaiah's feet
One last goodbye.. We'll miss you!!!
We thought it would be nice to have a trampoline again so we went to Sam's Club and bought one
A good way for 4 active boys to spend their energy
everyone helped
it makes it even more special to use something you helped put together
a really good way to have quality family time
Don't worry, they didn't jump with Evie up there. Isaiah was there for protection
They took plastic lids and pretended they were TRON disks
We use the little trampoline to get on and off the big one
Then for Dad's birthday, he was so kind and took us up to Big Bear Lake. It was quite a sudden scheme. We got in quite late, so dinner was Stater Bros. fried chicken and watermelon.
The couches were very comfy
Dad brought along some movies just in case...
The first night we settled in with a movie
The next morning was scrambled eggs, sourdough toast with cream cheese, jam and milk
Not sure what Dad was thinking here, but it is unusual for him to look this way...
Dad's birthday breakfast-Caytlin wanted to make him an old favorite "Dutch Pancakes" which is similar to crepes
spreading cream cheese on toast
In the pictures we saw before renting the cabin, it showed the cabin having a piano so mom was sold! Those pictures were pretty old and it turned out to be a pool table instead- the guys enjoyed that more than a piano :)
The living room
The room Natey, Joshua and Timothy slept in
The uniquely decorated bathroom. Actually, this is what made the cabin affordable to us- needed upgrades. We didn't mind.
The picture above is the master bedroom and this is the front of the cabin
It was fun to swing on the swing
In the back area, there was a dock. So we went and took off our shoes and put our feet in the water like in the movie "October Baby" After that we watched the movie. Dad, having been adopted, has always found adoption movies special- especially this one.
Well, being there on a Thursday, just before Memorial Day weekend, everyone was getting ready for the big weekend and was still closed. Mom had gotten this grand plan to go boating or something. You know what it's like when you feel like the Lord is opening all the doors to your idea and suddenly you fear you may have been all wrong and the trip will be a failure? That was how mom felt that morning as she inquired as to marinas that were open.
Thankfully one marina was open and had there boats and wave runners in the water. Thank you, Lord!
Dad got a birthday Frappuccino!
We scheduled our boat ride for a little later so we had time to check out the local K-Mart and found these hats.
Filling out the forms to rent the pontoon boat (floating soda can)
everyone gets a life jacket who is under 13
We missed Ashley, Ryan, and Daniel being there with us
Paddington Evie
She did not enjoy that life jacket, but she wore it the whole trip. The man thanked us afterwards; he said a lot of people take the jackets off when they are out of sight, and the marina ends up getting ticketed as well as the boaters. The tickets are about $400 each
It was a little windy, but we didn't mind. Next time- jackets, some food and a small potty for the very little ones!
Dad really enjoyed the trip
Big Bear Marina
The shady side of the pontoon was on the colder side, so we were thankful for the sunny side!
Enjoying Big Bear Lake
The wind was pretty strong so the little guys wanted to make sure they didn't lose there hats.
Timothy enjoyed looking over the side at the water streaming by
It was a lovely view. Seems like a fun yearly tradition...
Isaiah looked good behind the wheel and was good at it
Here is Natey feeling very grown up taking his turn
Go Joshua!
After a short time, Evie wanted that life jacket taken off. Thankfully, it was her nap time and she slept most of the ride.
Timothy really enjoyed himself. That is what we love about being a young one- just having fun and not worrying about what others think:) May the Lord help us to keep this spirit of having fun and looking only to him for approval.
It's fun to try new things. - He liked to make the boat go FAST (maxing the throttle when dad wasn't looking)
Daddy and his little twin
Nathanael and Joshua enjoyed being at the back of the boat and just holding on and standing in the wind
I think Isaiah is enjoying being the "big brother" He is a huge help and very willing!
Mom said it was similar in size to the van, except driving from the rear.
There was less wind if you "laid low."
Dad was really enjoying seeing his family have a good time. A mark of a really good Dad!
Mom said it was fun to have her hair blowing in the wind!
Timothy- feeling adventurous. He liked the feeling of the wind rushing past him.
Isaiah accidently got his foot stuck in this bucket- just like in an Abbott and Costello movie.
A shot of Dad and Mom
Joe didn't want to be left out
Of course Timbo wanted to be in a picture as well. What his older brother Joshua does, he does also.
Nathanael is quite the entertainer
We needed to stay clear of other boats, the shore and floating plant life.
Isaiah really enjoyed being in charge while Dad enjoyed the ride.
Just about the only time you can get away with driving with your eyes closed:)
Nathanael decided to entertain us with a little "jig."
So that inspired Joshua as well. They've seen a few Gene Kelly movies
This is the way it is sometimes- you imagine your hair blowing in the wind away from your face and the Lord gives you the wind blowing in your face. He knows how to keep us humble!
It was a very relaxing time.
Just what we want for our daughters that their hearts should belong to Daddy!
Thankfully Caytlin brought a sweater she let Evie use. Some perspective on her size:)
Taking a break from the wind
This is how we kept the adventurous Timmy from falling overboard. I think mom can be more patient with her boys because she knows she was very similar as a child:)
Taking in a few rays
Checking for cell phone signal
hauling a floating dock
looking for our cabin- we didn't find it.
We rented the boat for 4 hours, but decided 2 hours was enough for our first trip. Besides, Joshua had to use the bathroom.
Just as we were heading back, Evie woke up
She still wanted that life jacket off, so Isaiah kept her entertained.
We saw some ducks that flew in. That was pretty neat to watch them land.
I can't remember what they call this but it is a challenge to get straight up in the air
After our boating trip we came back to our cabin and had some birthday cake and ice cream- Peanut Butter Cup and Mint and Chip Brownie -two of Dad's favorites
we bought a chocolate "smores" cake just the right size for our group
The washing machine, which was quite old, had overflowed and the maintenance man had come just as we were going to sing. By the time Dad showed up, one candle had used up it's wick and burned out, and the second blew out by itself- just as we sat the cake down in front of him.
dad is 45 and very alive:)
Dad has such sweet eyes!
cutting the cake
while mom dished out the ice cream
Evie was fed from her playpen
Timmy really liked the marshmallows. Dad is a real fan of peanut butter so he likes to have Reece's Pieces to top his ice cream.
Which flavor would you like- some of both?
The cake was yummy and just the right amount for each so we didn't get as we say "too sweeted out.'
The patio area in back
Evie playing cards
Timbo had his first game of pool- no rules of course. It's fun when people are not being competitive. Often times, little ones can't take part when older ones get too serious about a game.
We watched a Shirley Temple movie "Miss Annie Roonie."
The night would not have been complete without a Skype from Alaska!
Dad surprised us on Saturday and shaved off his mustache and beard. He says he likes his "mountain man" look better
Then he and Isaiah were off to Universal Studios for another birthday adventure.
Isaiah enjoyed the transformers ride for the special effects.
Jurassic Park was fun as well.
It's a long way up the hill. Thank the Lord for the escalator.
The view and Warner Bros. Studios
War of the Worlds airplane crash set
Dad and Mr. Bean-just a cardboard cut out.
Dad and his "Irish look"
More of the view
Dad said he thought he ordered too much for lunch- Nothing a couple strapping fellows couldn't handle!
It is always neat to hear Dad talk about his childhood. It is amazing to see how he really resembles his parents in ways even though he was adopted. We are so thankful the woman who found out she was expecting an unexpected baby- chose life! She didn't know the plans God had for this little baby, but God did. The Lord has taught us soo much through this gentle man who enjoys people and having fun. He really lives out his name "Michael"- one like unto the Lord "John"- God's gracious gift. He is definitely both of those and in ways you wouldn't expect. We started calling him "tent pole" because the word in Hebrew for father is tent pole composed of two Hebrew letters one meaning strength and the other tent. So together we have father- "the strength of the house." Clearly we see the importance of the father's position in the home. Thank you Lord for giving us Daddy!
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Psalm 139:13-18
We thought it would be nice to have a trampoline again so we went to Sam's Club and bought one
it makes it even more special to use something you helped put together
a really good way to have quality family time
Don't worry, they didn't jump with Evie up there. Isaiah was there for protection
They took plastic lids and pretended they were TRON disks
Then for Dad's birthday, he was so kind and took us up to Big Bear Lake. It was quite a sudden scheme. We got in quite late, so dinner was Stater Bros. fried chicken and watermelon.
The couches were very comfy
The first night we settled in with a movie
Not sure what Dad was thinking here, but it is unusual for him to look this way...
Dad's birthday breakfast-Caytlin wanted to make him an old favorite "Dutch Pancakes" which is similar to crepes
In the pictures we saw before renting the cabin, it showed the cabin having a piano so mom was sold! Those pictures were pretty old and it turned out to be a pool table instead- the guys enjoyed that more than a piano :)
