Is there a Doctor in the house??

We celebrated the completion of Rick's Doctor of Ministry Degree at Fuller Seminary in June. It was a great day to mark a seven year process. As we were reminiscing we realized that over the course of the seven years it took to finish we lived in 5 houses in 3 different states, had 3 babies, went through a flood and a hurricane, had 3 different job titles...I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting. This was truly an accomplishment and I was so proud of Rick for seeing this through. Enjoy the pictures!

This is Rick and me with his professor, Chap Clark.

Rick, Christy, Katy, Will and Rick's parents, Dan and Kathryn Durrance.
I just had to include this one of our sweet kids, Katy and Will. Will especially was very excited about dressing up for the occasion.

We're still alive!

It has been forever since we have posted, which you already knew if you are reading this. :) We could give you lots of excuses--crazy schedule, long vacation, camera dropped in the ocean, four kids...need I say more? So, we though we'd try and chronicle a bit of what's been happening in the Durrance household for the past few months. Starting with...Memorial Day! Yes, I know it was in May...
This is our David with a good friend and our youth pastor, Dave Rutledge, affectionately or not so affectionately known as "Mr. Dave" (He claims it makes him feel old :)).
The gang hanging out on a nice cool May day at the beach--our friends Dave and Bekah Rutledge and Amy, Kathy, and Bob Drummond.

Katy flying a kite.
Will taking a break.
Mr. Bob throws a mean frisbee...:)

Rick and Katy Go To Mexico!

Last Thursday, Katy joined seven other adults from our church - and me - on a day service trip to Tijuana Mexico with Spectrum ministries. Spectrum is a tremendous ministry focused on serving the impoverished and marginalized in Tijuana - for more info on Spectrum go to this website: www.spectrumministries.com

Katy did a wonderful job! Her first time out of the country and in a very different culture than our own - although LA does have a strong influence from our neighbors to the south, it is still quite amazing the change that takes place when you cross the border! Katy served with the women in the "girls tent" where new clothes, baths, de-lousing, new hairdos and finger painting were offered to the young girls! Additionally, Katy helped with food distribution and was wonderful as she played with the kids on the seesaw - her favorite activity!!

And, Katy tolerated her father's LOVE for great tacos!! :) Nothing better than a carne asada taco from Paisanos!

A wonderful, humbling, sobering, powerful time was shared last Thursday. I am so proud of my daughter! Her heart and openness and honesty. Her willingness to walk and love in a different world! At the end of it all, she asked if we could go to Mexico again... :) We will return again soon!!

Spring at Descanso Gardens!

We love Descanso Gardens, a beautiful retreat in the midst of a very busy city! It has also restored my faith in the fact that there are actually seasons in Southern California. Spring at Descanso is especially stunning and a treat for the senses.
A rare photo of the two of us...:)
Jeffrey has not yet learned rule #1 of photo etiquette: Look at the camera.
David in his element at one of the fountains.
We LOVE having our picture taken! :)

Visit from Mama Linda

We had a wonderful week leading up to Easter complete with a visit from my mom, better known as Mama Linda at our house. We did some fun things, made some great food, and just enjoyed having her here. I was especially grateful for her help with the every day happenings throughout the week. :) In addition to going to tea as grown-ups, Mama Linda and Katy were able to have tea together at Katy's all-time favorite purple tea room, The Gilded Rose Manor. I couldn't pass up posting these cute pics.

Spring Break in Palm Springs

We have had a lot going on the past month...thus the lack of postings. I thought I would catch you up on some of the goings on around our house. We took a spring break trip to Palm Springs and had a great time together. We did lots of swimming, hiking and exploring which made for a very fun week.

These are pictures from our hike at Indian Canyons. The overall terrain is very desert-like with a palm oasis which we hiked through. The contrast of dry and rocky versus the lush green of the oasis was beautiful.

Hiking at Joshua Tree National Park

Our kids have learned that Rick really likes cacti (sp?), so on our trip they were excited to point out various varities we encountered. You can imagine that in the desert we had lots of cacti encounters and therefore much excitement. :) This is a picture Will took of Rick in the middle of an amazing cactus "garden" at Joshua Tree.

Fun in the pool!

Jeffrey is growing

Here is a recent picture of Jeffrey, the forgotten child. :) Many of you have asked about how he is doing, so we finally got a couple of pictures the other day, though none are all that terrific. Jeffrey is truly becoming a happy baby. He loves to smile and has discovered a high-pitched squeal in the last couple of days that makes me laugh. I'm sure someone will need to remind me of this when he is 3 and is still squealing. We are all grateful for Jeffrey and for the sweetness he has brought to our family. Enjoy!!

Sandbox fun!

Rick built a sandbox last week, which has proven to be great backyard entertainment for our three oldest kids. Aside from sand in everyone's bed, I think this is a wonderful way to pretend you are at the beach and not have to deal with salt water, the long walk to the car and no bathroom within sight. We haven't figured out a way to eliminate the heat factor, but we are at least down to the upper 80's today which is a welcome relief from 96 degrees yesterday. Yikes! Libby, this has got to rival Qatar for mid-March. :)

Happy 39th Birthday Rick!!

Seeing as how I have never posted on our blog, I decided today would be a good day to celebrate my wonderful husband on his birthday. I have chosen these pictures because first of all, they are some of the few of Rick or I on our entire computer--with four children, the adults don't stand a chance! Secondly, I would venture to guess if Rick could choose to do anything on his birthday it would be skiing! :) So, happy birthday to one who loves Jesus deeply, who blesses those around him, and who lives life with great passion. I love you!

Johnny Carson Park

One of our favorite parks to play in in Burbank is Johnny Carson Park! Not only does it have a fun name and location - right across from NBC studios (where Ellen and Carson Daly are shot) but it also has a GREAT layout! A wonderful dirt running track that surrounds the park and also doubles as a great bkie path for younger children - Katy and Will love it! And, it also has a good old playground: affectionatley known as the Tonight Show Playground! I finally managed to remember the camera just to get some good shots of our growing kids and their new acocmplishments! Enjoy!

More pics on a link to the left soon!

AWANA Grand Prix!

Katy entered into the AWANA Grand Prix that our church offered this year. It is a version of the "Pinewood Derby" that I grew up with in boy scouts. Carving wood and making look like anything other than a toothpick has never been my strong suit! Even moreso making it into a car! But, thankfully, we have many folks at the church to help us! We began in late January with a "pit stop" day that was dedicated to helping kids and their families make their cars! Wood sanders, saws, pain, lead sinkers (to weight the cars!) and no end of creative talent were all available to help make this happen! Even a few professional animators to help us design our cars! What fun! And then the race itself - which was quite an event! Katy's car even won a few races! But slicker, faster cars prevailed... Altogether it was two Saturdays of family - Church family - fun!! What a great time!

I'll post a link to more pictures at the top left of the blog spot soon!

Saying Goodbye to Four Wheels

Will has abandoned all things he can pedal with four wheels... Yep, that means that cool little pedal car he got for Christmas sits lonely on the side of the back yard pavement (waiting for two younger brothers to grow up and use it – we hope!! ). And that also means that his training wheels have been abandoned.
Our determined little man worked all last night – after some basic lessons from Mom and Dad – to start on his own and pedal in circles all by himself! He went way past dark last night. And this pic was taken at 8 a.m. this morning – more than a half and hour AFTER Will had started again to work on biking! What fun!

In LA It's the Pits!

The Tar Pits. I remember being a young boy reading about the La Brea Tar Pits in school, as well as in my multiple books about prehistoric animals at home. Fun times! And then one day last year as we were driving down Wilshire Blvd., there they were! :) I knew they were in the area but not this close! Ten miles from our home in Burbank stands one of the most fascinating museums and active "paleontological digs" in the world! Right in the middle of the urban world. We had a great time, and plan to return many times in the future!

Check the link to Webshots for all of the pics - and some cool facts about the Tar Pits - on the left hand side of this blog spot. And for quick access to the website about La Brea, click here:http://www.tarpits.org/