Caleb's 10th Birthday party!

 

We had water kickball (complete with a slip and slide)

marshmallow roasting and warming up by the fire,opening presents, decorating cupcakes, movie theater night,

 

and camping in a tent upstairs (a supposed summer storm was supposed to hit last night - but it never even came!).  It was a great time had by all!  Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Costa Rica Day 1

 

We have arrived in Costa Rica!!  The flights were great (Mel got to fly first class so it was extra great for me!) and we arrived in beautiful, green San Jose, Costa Rica.  We checked in to our beautiful old hotel and Bryce and I were lucky enough to score the only room in our group with AC and a nice big bed!  Pretty sweet!  We have had time today to walk freely around San Jose.  Enjoyed our first meal – chicken, plantains, rice, black beans, potatoes and something with a yummy sauce, and chicken empanadas – oh and oat horchata.  Pretty yummy!  Went in the National Cathedral (cool old confession booths!), browsed through some authentic market places, enjoyed a Costa Rican pastry.  Been great.  We are meeting for dinner with the group here in about an hour.  Been a light rain since we got here.  Surprised by the US influence here – seen a lot of fast food chains.  Thought the line out on the street for McDonalds was a little crazy!

What HAVE we Been up To??

So, I know we have been a little MIA lately, and to show you that,  no, we haven't been just sitting around picking our noses!  Here are a couple of pics from the last month or two showing that we really have been busy!

  The kids have loved their homeschool PE class.  Caleb's teachers really gave them a workout each time!  James and Lucy had a great time playing new games each time!

 Lucy and Caleb climbing the rock wall

 Yes, plenty of licking of spoons . . .

 Art show,

Reading,

 Playing games,

 Ping Pong!!

 Finding shark teeth and playing at the park with friends,

 Painting projects are always happening,

 And a little whining at times,

 History Club parties,

 this one covered South America and Mexican independence from Spain (notice the pinatas)

 running around outside (the weather has been fabulous!),

 and lots of imagination has been happening. 

We are busy.  I am ready for a vacation . . .

Check out Our New Hot Ride!

 Goodbye old van . . .

Hello new one.  Pretty exciting, I know.

Spring Pictures

Surprise, Mom, I'm blogging!! This one is for you!