A winter picnic!

The kids got the idea to have a "beach" picnic; complete with swimsuits mid-winder!  It was such a cute idea and seemed like a fun thing to do so I went ahead and put the requested hot dogs on my grocery list. 

With temperatures starting to climb into the upper 60's and even the 70's I guess we could have had the picnic outside, but this was fun and we didn't have to worry about any cactus pokes!

A little girl and her weapons!

Miss J is mostly "all girl" she loves to play with dolls, have tea parties, play dress up and help in the kitchen.  However, she does love her weapons!

Recently, after coming in from playing outside she was heard saying "Oh no!  I've left my weapons outside!"  On that particular day her weapons consisted of a sword and a pop gun.

Daddy is so proud, and so am I!  You see we see weapons not as agents of violence and destruction, but as tools.  Knives are in use daily for everything from cooking, opening boxes, yard work and various other cutting jobs around our house.  Guns are viewed as tools as well, they are to be used for hunting and self defense (not to mention battle, we are a military family ya know ;) ).  We start teaching safety and respect with these tools early on, even with toys.  We study history as well and the kids see how these tools have been used in the past, how they were made, and how they have changed over the years.

A visit with The Wintons; and a concert!

Our friends The Wintons are on their way to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.  Not only did we have the pleasure of hosting them as they passed through, but they did a concert here too!

Miss J was tickled pink to have them here (the rest of us were quite excited too!), and was thrilled to get to play a couple of games with Mr. Winton.

The Winton boys are very popular around here too.  I'm afraid this may not have been the most restful stop for them, with all of the kids wanting their attention.  These are some wonderful young men, and we love having our kids spend time with them!

The concert was great too!  We never get tired of their music, and their testimony is even better.  It is always so encouraging to hear how God has worked in their lives.

*Mr. Winton took this picture with his iphone during a part of the concert that the boys where doing on their own.  I forgot my camera. 


We sure missed the Winton ladies.  Maybe they will get to come next time?


The Wintons are on their way to the SAICFF because their film Rescued (a documentary on adoption) has been entered.  It is a semi-finalist in the documentary category.  For more a chance to win a copy of this DVD go here.

February/Valentine Cupcakes

This past Sunday was our Church potluck, so it was time to make the cupcakes for the month!

These turned out cute!

They were super easy to make!

4 month? 6 month? Baby update!

Mr. K finally got to have a well-baby appointment last week; just before getting sick!  Since we had to cancel his four month checkup when my dad passed away and the make up appointment was not until he was nearly six months we just killed two birds with one stone and did both the four and the six (or was that three with one since Miss C also had her 2 year appointment then too?).

Mr. K is doing great, but I already knew that. ;)  He is 16 pounds 5 ounces.  He is working on at least three teeth, but none are in yet.  He can roll over (I've seen him do it), but mostly chooses not to most of the time.  He loves to play with toys, chews on them and transfers them from hand to hand.  He smiles, coos, laughs and is starting to babble a bit.  It will not be too long before he can sit up on his own.  

Nursing is going fairly well after a bit of a bump.  Mr. K is enjoying his "solid" foods as well though.  Sweet potatoes and butternut squash seem to be his favorites.  Pumpkin is ok and he just was not too sure what to think of the peas he tried.  He is not too excited about his morning oatmeal, but takes a couple of bites.  His favorite is the teething biscuits that he gets to chew on, I think he is going to be one happy boy when he gets to feed himself finger foods.

Miss C is also doing well.  She is growing well and with so many big brothers and sisters to watch and learn from she seems to be excelling in every area.  She is rather shy though, which is just part of her personality.  She loves to run, play and chatter but has a fairly quiet and calm personality.  

struggling AND gratitude

I've really been struggling these past few weeks.  My dad's passing has taken a lot out of me.  I was already wiped out after Mr. K's birth, helping my wonderful hubby through his Phd, and moving.  I had been looking forward to our Christmas break.  The day that my dad passed was the day that break was supposed to start.  Its been hard to keep going and do what needs to be done, I've been in a bit of a funk...

For more, take a look here.

Chickenpox? Maybe?

Mr.S came down with a headache and fever mid-week.  By the next day he had spots, nice round bumps. Where we dealing with chickenpox?  Could it be?  While no one wants to see their child sick I was not upset to be getting this over with.  The poor guy was feeling awful though.  A couple of oatmeal baths and several naps helped him through the day.

The next morning he seemed to be feeling quite a bit better.  He was still covered in spots, but they didn't look like chickenpox anymore.  More like the hives he is prone to when he has had a virus.  It seems we have something other than the chickenpox in the house.

Today poor Mr. K has the bug (though no spots).  We are resting and taking it easy around here; helping my little guys recover and wondering how many more victims this bug with have.