Fall Retreat 2009

This weekend we headed to a camp in Kentucky with the youth group! The camp was about 2 hours away...in the middle of well, no where. There was a little town about 10 minutes further down the road, but we drove through lots of back roads to get to Barefoot Republic Camp. I was able to go without our children this time, which always makes it MUCH easier to be a part of what's going on and to actually be with the youth. We are very thankful to the Gaspards and the Bowlings for watching our children. They both said that they did great, so that always makes having to leave them for a short time easier. Both families have children, so Josiah and Aedan were easily entertained with their friends and of course, "new toys."

The theme for the week was "Identity"...looking at who we are in Christ. Ryan did a great job preparing everything. (Sometimes I don't know how he can be so creative all the time...constantly coming up with new ways to teach something.) I have to say that I am glad it is finished, as Ryan spends LONG hours at the office finishing everything. I look forward to having him home more and also the next couple weekends when we'll be at home, and not traveling.

I didn't take tons of pictures on the retreat, but here are a few of our weekend:

Art Time

We had "art time" this morning. The boys painted with watercolors! They did a great job. I had to tell Josiah..."water, paint, paper". At first he would put the brush in the water, then paint, then back in the water...and get it all mixed up. He did great once he got the hang of it. He loved to mix the colors! Aedan did well, too, but needed a little more assistance.

Aedan painting

Josiah is concentrating!

painting

Aedan getting paint on his brush

Look at that great painting!

Josiah was able to hold the brush really well:)

We also made tissue paper pictures. Aedan decorated a triangle and Josiah decorated a rhino. Josiah did his entirely all by himself!

For Mama...

Mama and her great-grandkids

Wagon Fun!

My friend, Cathy, had a garage sale not too long ago and since she has twin boys a few years older I found some great stuff. I got several shorts for Josiah for next summer. (the sporty/comfy type that I love) I got him some winter stuff, too that he can wear this winter and some for next winter. Also, of course, they had toys for sale! I bought the boys each a scooter (for $2 each), and some other things for Christmas and Josiah's birthday. I got the boys a wagon and gave it to them now so they could play with it in the fall. (They'll have to wait for the rest of it!) Here are some pics of wagon fun!

Jesus loves me

Here's a video of Aedan singing 'Jesus loves me'...well, most of it. I only got him singing the first part. He can do it all, though. He loves to sing this at bedtime. It's a part of his bedtime routine.

Around the house

Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, and more dinosaurs

I found my 'Where the Wild Things Are' book! Josiah really likes it, so we're hoping that one of us can take him to see it. We still don't think that Aedan is ready to sit through a whole movie in a theatre yet.

Josiah has been disinterested in coloring for the longest time. He's not into fine motor skills, which we're working on. Finally, he's showing some interest:)

Aedan coloring

Aedan took this picture of me

We made noodle necklaces! I tried this with Josiah about 9 months ago, and he had trouble with it. He was able to make the necklaces better this time.

Aedan the silly man

Okay...it's not our house, but Daniel and Rachael's...the kids are pretending to be on a train. ALL ABOARD!

Ryan is giving the boys a pep talk! We've found that they behave better when we tell them what is expected of them.

Josiah reading...he still loves to look at books.

Aedan working on a puzzle

Josiah and Aedan's dinosaur artwork...again, trying to work on those fine motor skills:)

It actually is a dinosaur head they decorated...it's just hard to tell.

#3

Yes, I am pregnant!!! We are very happy to (finally) announce that we'll be having a baby next April. I'm about 11 weeks pregnant right now, and I'm finally starting to feel not so sick (which I am thankful for). The official due date is April 27th, I think...so a scheduled c section may be around the 20th. Or, who knows, maybe I'll have the baby at 38 weeks like Aedan, which would be around the 13th! All I know is that it should be in April!