Well, our school year is off to a good start. We've already had several field trips, and our co-op program has started. Jordan is now in 5th grade, Kaylee is in 2nd, and Carter is attending pre-K two days a week at our church, but I have started his Kindergarten curriculum on the other days.  Kaylee is still in gymnastics, Jordan is playing flag football, and both Jordan and Carter have started karate. We have also started Spanish this year, and the kids are having a lot of fun with it.  We are falling into a good routine, and the complaining is at a minimum (at least for now).



The kiddos swimming at Dunlap Lake with their friend, Elaina.




Jordan and Kaylee at a fishing derby





Carter's first day of pre-k



getting ready to leave  for pre-k



St. Louis Science Center



Making origami at the Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Gardens



Playing the drums at the Japanese festival



Getting wet at the City Garden in St. Louis



Making apple turnovers



Painting with stencils made out of fruit



More fun at the City Garden





Having fun at the Botanical Gardens





Carter practicing his archery skills



summer

Wow, we have been so busy during the last few months. The kids are enjoying their summer and more time with friends. Here are a few photos from recent events.

Another trip to the zoo

Jordan during a spring basketball game

Jordan's first golf tournament

Kaylee before donating her hair to Locks of Love...notice the glasses too.

Kaylee after cutting 11 inches of hair

4th of July on our new front steps

In a tree house at the Missouri Botanical Children's Garden

Another garden picture while visiting the Jurassic Dark exhibit

Some photos....

Kaylee at her spring musical at FBCM

Kaylee during gymnastics team photos

Carter's first soccer game.....yes, he was on the pink team!!!
Every time Macie and Kaylee played soccer, they received gray shirts.
Carter was finally old enough to play, and this is what he ended up with. Go figure!


Jordan and Kaylee at the Homeschool Geography Fair.
They studied India since our sponsored child, Mushkan, lives there.

St. Louis Arch- Ryan and Carter's first time

Happy 10th Birthday Jordan

Jordan is 10!!! Can you believe it? How in the world did a decade pass? Only 3 more years and I will have a teenager....yikes! It was 10 years ago, today, that I delivered a perfect baby boy at 9:05 am. He was 6 lbs 9 oz and the prettiest boy in the world. He had long, curly lashes, and it didn't matter how sporty, or blue, an outfit was, people would still tell me how pretty he was. I can't believe that little baby is now a well-rounded, fun, and active 10 year old boy. He is such a sweet and loving child, and I just can't believe God has given us the privilege of raising him. Jordan has been such a blessing and we are lucky to have him here. His birthday is bittersweet, because he almost didn't live to see this year. He was miraculously spared in the accident that took Macie's life. We are still trusting in God and believing He has big things in store for Jordan.

Congrats Jordan and Kaylee

What a busy weekend! Jordan took a two-day hunter safety course, and Kaylee had a gymnastics meet. I'm so happy that Jordan passed his test with flying colors! Kaylee competed in the 7 year old group for the first time and placed 8th in the all-around competition. She didn't have any falls and she was really, really cute out there!!!

Art Day

I took the kids to the St. Louis Art Museum today. Once we were home, the kids spent the afternoon making masterpieces of their own.

The kids sitting in front of Monet's Water Lilies

Jordan's drawing

Jordan's abstract texture painting

Carter's "elephant"

Kaylee's watercolor sea turtles

(with fish stickers)

Kaylee's crayon and watercolor tree frog

(mommy helped with the drawing)

Kaylee having fun with her friends at her bowling party

The boys and their friend, Isaac, at Monster Jam 2010