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/