Picture overload!

Hubby and I at the temple:


Temple picture:


Hubby's dad being a purse caddy:


Hubby and the kids playing sand:


Jumping Pinky:


Pinky playing:


Cold Belle:


Hubby and Loki:


The girls and I at the temple:


Hubby and I:


Hanging on the beach:


Belle took this picture of me... she did pretty well for a 7 year old!:

Vacation!

We just returned from our annual beach vacation! We rent a house in the Outer banks for a week and play on the beach every May. This was the first time that it rained for days at a time. We were there for 7 days and it rained for the first 2-3 days, it was cold rain too! Cold and windy! We had to occupy ourselves inside those first few days. But then it warmed right up and we played at the beach.

The house we got was soundfront. The Outer Banks is basically a long skinny island, with ocean on one side and the Sound on the other. We like the sound side, because it is BEAUTIFUL! Here is the view from our hot tub (It was on the third story)! We sat in it and watched the sun set everynight! man, that was pretty!


Here is a view of the back of the house facing the sound.


Boogie boarding is something our family loves doing! Belle especially loves it and has her own board. Here she is striking a pose.


My brother and his wife joined us for a for a few days. They bought a skimboard and tried that a few times. it looked like fun, but I'll stick to me boogie boarding!



Here is my bro holding belle and my hubby holding Pinky!


While Belle played in the water 99% of the time, Pinky played in the sand 99% of the time! She and hubby made big sand palaces. Here is Pinky sitting in front of 'Shell Castle' that the two of them made.


Our beach trip wasn't complete without one or both of the kids being buried!

Finally Temple Pictures!!!

On Friday May 15th, my family was sealed together in the D.C temple! Hubby and I have been married for 5 years civilly but were not sealed to each other or our kids. We've been working towards this for several years! With two temple divorces and an adoption to get behind... it took a LONG time to get a clearance to finally all get sealed together!

We were joined by alot of family and friends. Several of whom flew out to be there. Afterwards we all went out to lunch. My sister in law flew out to take the awesome photos! She's a photographer and we're really glad she did them, they look great! She did photos at the temple, and she also did a few family shots the day before.

The ceremony itself was really nice! Hubby and I were sealed together first then the kids were brought in! The temple workers had dressed the kids in all white. When they opened the door to let them in, I saw Pinky first as she bounded in and yelled 'GRAMPS', as ran to him, LOL! Belle came in and was very thoughtful and did all the right things. But Pinky was putting on a show for everybody as she ran from person to person. At the alter, we were all holding hands, but Pinky just kept jumping ONTO the alter kissing hubby and I, then jump back down... then jump up and kiss us again, etc. It was super cute! She really was like a mexican jumping bean in there, she even jumped all the way out the door at the end when we left the room! Belle on the other hand was so touched by it all that she teared up a bit and told me later her heart was pumping really fast because she was so happy!
So, it was a good day!!! Here are just a few of the photos... there are so many REALLY good ones, I can't decide which ones to hang up in the house!

Here's a group shot of everyone who was there at the temple:


Here's our family at the temple:


Here are the girls:

Funny Kids

Pinky is saying the funniest things lately! I ought to write them down... but I forget before the day is done. I wish I had done that with Elle as well... but alas, most of it is forgotten.
But yesterday Pinky really had me rolling! I was in the way of her getting into a cubbard in the kitchen, so she nicely goes "Um, excuse me old lady" she kept such a strait face it was hilarious! That reminds me of a few months ago when I was shopping with Elle. I gave her the cart to push and I guess I was in her way, because she goes "Outta my way LADY!"

Pinky is always telling me what a beautiful day it is or happy she feels... but yesterday she cupped my face in her hands and says "Mommy, you are SO beautiful... just like a planet!" I said "A planet? I'm beautiful like a planet? Well, thank you!"
Funny Kids!

County Review

Yesterday I had my Homeschool County Review. This is done twice a year. I am required to show a portfolio of completed and dated work showing a progression for all the following subjects:

English
Reading
Health
Math
Science
History
Writing
Spelling
Art
Music
Physical Ed.

Even though I know I do a great job and I have all the requirements, it's still nerve racking. Sort of like being graded!
The reviewer looks through each piece and asks questions about them, it's pretty detailed. It's either a pass or a fail (compliant or noncompliant). If you are found to be noncompliant, then the county can require you to enroll your child back in public school. I was (obviously) compliant, and the reviewer said I was doing a fantastic job! PHEW...

We are nearing the end of the year and I'm excited for summer! We are on track to finish school by mid June!