June Activities....

June has been fun, fun, fun......and fun-filled!

Austin turned 12, he picked his eats for the day, and we enjoyed this "dirt cake" complete with dirt (crushed oreos), and worms after our dinner of bacon wrapped shrimp, shrimp scampi, mashed potatoes, and lettuce wedge salad!

Beach day with Lighthouse! Luke got stuck out in a riptide and had to be pulled in by lifeguards, along with several other kids in our group. Praise God for everyone's safety despite the conditions!

Austin got buried......

We took a hike at Malibu Creek State Park with several other families and the kids swam in the good old fashioned swimming hole! They really enjoyed jumping off the big rocks and catching large tadpoles!

We also had the privilege of seeing my niece, Emma in the Escape production of Wizard of Oz. Man was it fantastic! It was done extremely well, and Emma was awesome and really looked like she was having a blast. We enjoyed a pizza lunch afterward with dear friends! Now we're headed into July!

My oldest turns 12!

This picture describes my son completely. He has been this way since the day he was born, 12 years ago today! Jovial, nutty, kooky, and just plain fun. It seems like just yesterday that he was that happy infant I would take out of a crib after a nap. It seems like just yesterday that he was learning to walk. It seems like just yesterday when he started kindergarten-now he's in Junior High. I just honestly don't know where the time has gone. However, I have enjoyed every moment, no matter how fast those moments have flown by. And I know that there aren't that many more moments until he's off to college and starting his own family. If the next 12 years fly by as fast as the first.....yikes! I'm still working on that formula to stop the growing process. Nah! Each new stage is a fun adventure!

Happy Birthday Austin! You are such a constant joy to our family. Your Dad and I enjoy your antics, your inventions, your creativity, your love for milk, cheese, Smart Balance and bacon (the makings of some high cholesterol...), and your helpfulness in this family. We pray for you, son...that your heart will be softened and that you will lay your life down for the King, who laid down His life for you. As the Proverbs say, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching." This is our prayer for you, that you will fear God and walk with Him always. We love you, "Freak" (inside joke...haha). Have a great 12th birthday!

Yosemite 2009

We just got back from our annual trip to Yosemite. This year was a little different than in years past. Since Dave is still fresh on the new job, he could not get any time off. So we sold our site to some friends, whom we also lent our trailer to. My sister generously offered to house the boys and I for a few days in her trailer, so we could still come up and enjoy the trip! Poor Dave had to work, and the boys and I took a road trip in Karen's Jeep up to beautiful Yosemite. It rained most of the weekend, but we still managed to make the most of it! We did our usual hike to Vernal Falls, biked around the valley, viewed all the waterfalls, and let the kids swim in the freezing cold Merced River-until it poured rain on all of us until we were soaking wet. We laughed the whole way to the warm trailer that had a space heater and hot tea awaiting our arrival! That's what I call camping, friends. This year, we did something different and took a day trip out to Tuolomne Meadows (don't ask me how to pronounce that, but it is commonly referred to as "Twa-lum-ee" Meadows. We viewed snow-capped mountains, beautiful lakes, one of the largest meadows in North America, and enjoyed a breathtaking view of the back of Half Dome from Olmstead Point. When we left to go back home, the boys and I enjoyed a few stops that we usually can't do when we pull our trailer. We stopped to watch the absolutely crazy and out of their mind amazing climbers on El Capitan, hiked the short 0.2 mile walk up to the base of Bridalveil Falls, which is one of the beautiful, yet smaller of the amazing waterfalls is Yosemite (Yosemite Falls being the largest waterfall in North America)! We also stopped at the tunnel view, which offers the most amazing view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, the Merced River, etc. It is an absolutely mind-boggling, awe-inspiring, God praising experience. I love Yosemite, and never tire of it no matter how many times I have been!

The boys about to see Bridalveil Falls.

The Polar Bear Club braving the freezing water!

Beautiful Bridalveil Falls

The Tunnel View point offers a stunning first look at Yosemite Valley.

Half Dome from Olmstead Point

Walking back to the trailer in the pouring rain after the swim

A lake we visited on our drive to Tuolomne Meadows

Playing in the snow!

About to brave the water!

The boys and I at Olmstead Point

Austin at Olmstead Point with Half Dome behind him

Austin Graduates Elementary School!

My new Junior High Student!

I can't believe it, but today Austin is officially graduating Elementary School! It seems like just yesterday that I was teaching him his letters. Now he is in Junior High!!! Where has the time gone? He has been a pleasure to teach, and is a fast and easy learner. He has grown so much in so many ways since he started school. I have enjoyed the privilege of homeschooling him from the very onset of his education, and look forward to continuing! So many people ask me if I plan on homeschooling through the end of high school or if I will ever send him to school. The answer is, God willing, I will homeschool him. I enjoy having him at home, he is thriving and learning, he is an integral part of this family, and he is gaining valuable life lessons and opportunities that he wouldn't get at school. I am so thankful to God for the blessing of being able to freely homeschool our children, and I don't take it for granted. In a world where the government wants control of everything, including our children, I am thankful that God is in control above all of that. God's Word is true and right, I will stick by it, and I will diligently teach its precepts to my children, all because of the right I currently have to homeschool. I pray the Lord will allow many more years of this precious freedom.

Tonight is our homeschool group's Promotion Ceremony, and I am excited to officially enjoy the passing of my eldest boy into Junior High! Austin, congratulations on your accomplishments in finishing your elementary education! I'll continue to pray for you diligently, my son!

Thrifty Tip Tuesday!

With summer coming, I have already started making a lot of my cool and refreshing summer treats. I have an assortment of yummy concoctions that I'm sure save me a lot of money as opposed to buying packaged ice cream and popsicles. Most popsicles and other various ice cream treats are so wonderful, but they can be relatively expensive, even at the warehouse clubs. And they can also have a lot of undesirable ingredients that you can't even pronounce. I have found that with a little effort, you can have a storehouse of frozen treats at your disposal for those hot summer days ahead! We don't have central air in our house, only a swamp cooler, so some days in July and August can get pretty hot in our house. It's so wonderful to have cold treats on hand for those type of days!

Here are some of my favorite go-to things to make for the freezer. I hope you enjoy making them and serving them to your family as much as I do.

Frozen Chocolate Dipped Bananas

My sister just featured this recipe on her blog's weekly "Way Delicious Wednesdays" series. If you don't visit her blog, you really need to. There is a wealth of information there, and you will enjoy her wit! I don't know when or where I got the idea to do these, but ever since, my family begs me for them. They actually beg, on their knees. OK, they don't, but it sounded good. I sometimes bring a ton of these when we go camping, and they are gobbled up in no time at all. I mean come on, who doesn't like a frozen, chocolate dipped banana rolled in some sort of yummy topping like oreo crumbs, coconut, nuts, or sprinkles? Mmm, mmm. Get this recipe on my sister's blog by clicking on the link above. You'll find it's well worth the effort.

Snow Cones

Do you have a snow cone machine? Really, it's just an electric ice shaver. I think I paid $20 for mine a few years ago, and it's still going strong. And hey, ice is cheap! Especially if you have an automatic ice maker in your fridge! Just buy a bottle of that syrupy goodness at your local Walmart or Target, and there you go! A bottle of syrup will run you about $2-$3, but you'll get lots of snow cones out of that. If you don't care for all of the artificial ingredients, you can make your own syrup at home. There are lots of recipes floating around the internet. You can also use frozen lemonade or orange juice concentrate. Just thaw and pour. Thaw and pour. See how simple that is.

Smoothies

We love smoothies around here. As soon as it gets warm, the blender comes out of hibernation and takes its rightful place next to its friend, the KitchenAid mixer on the counter. And they fight for my attention. I make smoothies for breakfast, smoothies with lunch, smoothies as snacks, and smoothies for dessert. I love smoothies (can you tell)? Smoothies are my life.

Besides being healthy, these are pretty economical as well, especially if you compare making them at home to the cost of one of those rip off juice or smoothie places which will remain nameless. My standard smoothie consists of a base of bananas. I like to add something tart, whether it be crushed pineapple or orange juice, then I add berries. Strawberries, mixed berries, blueberries, whateverberries. Add some ice, and blend. Some people like to add yogurt or milk for a protein boost. You can even hide add some flax oil in there for an added health benefit. You can go for a "themed" smoothie, such as pina colada, peaches and cream, the possibilities are endless. Well, I suppose they end somewhere, I just haven't found the end yet. I also sometimes pour my smoothie mixture into dixie cups, cover with foil, and shove in a popsicle stick. Freeze until firm, then peel off the dixie cup. Which brings me to my next treat....


Homemade Popsicles

I can always remember how my Mom would pour orange juice into ice cube trays, cover them with foil, stick toothpicks in them and freeze. I always loved that! This method works well with orange juice or lemonade, or any juice for that matter. I like to use the dixie cup method or my handy dandy Tupperware popsicle molds. Sometimes I mix yogurt with chopped fruit (try this recipe) for smoothie fruit pops. Or try your hand at fudge pops. There are tons of recipes available. Who doesn't like popsicles, I mean, come on.

I'm sure these ideas will save you some money, and not only money, but countless empty calories and artificial ingredients. So try your hand at some of these treats and you may just be the envy of all the neighborhood kids. They may be banging down your door. So go answer.