Chopping the trees down

After we took down the maple trees in the front yard, we cut down five pine trees from the side yard and another one in the front yard.

Dad with the chain saw..... yikes.... haha

The trees were pretty big.

Our neighbor helped us a lot!!! We would have never been able to do it otherwise.

CRACK!

Elaina! :D

Inside the tree...

They had fun in there.

I'm not sure what they were doing.... probably.... no never mind... no idea.

In the Pit

Yesterday, we had two of our maple trees taken out. And why else.....
to make room for more fruit trees! :D

It attracted some neighbors

THE PIT! :D

Me looking at them take the tree away.

It was so much fun jumping over it and trying to get picture's of us in the air.

Even little Ian could do it!!!

Marissa was better at taking the picture's then I was.

Ian-God's Gracious Gift

Ian is a huge blessing and gift to our family. After Elaina, I wanted another sibling SO much and I prayed for him for about four years (and the rest of our family did too :D) Then finally, God blessed our family with Ian (whose name means God's gracious gift).

Last year Ian got diagnosed with acid reflux. He got put on medication but has not been getting better. This morning he had a scope all the way down to his small intestine at the University of Michigan. They were hoping to find out if something else is wrong and what can be done, but all they found out was that he still has reflux. He's going to have to just stay on his medicine for a while. Oh well.... God really blessed today though and Ian was in a very good mood!!! Last time he had a scope he was very upset before and after. This time he had to wake up early and was still happy, plus he wasn't even very bad when he came out of the anesthesia. And now he is great (as you can see from the picture)!!! We love Ian!!! :D

AWANA Awards Ceremony

Elaina got the Excellence Award for AWANA last Sunday night. ☺

She finished her second year of T&T (Truth and Training)! Not to mention lots of years of Sparks and Cubbies (before T&T). She has memorized so many verses for AWANA and it is very neat to be able to watch how she has hidden God's Word in her heart. I am so glad for AWANA, I still remember most of the verses I learned in it. I've realized how important it is to know and memorize God's Word and it was so nice to have a head start before I even figured that out! ☺

A Real Family

A real family: "a self-sufficient, fully functioning, economically viable agent for the dominion of God." ~Doug Phillips

I love being a part of my family. Each day is a new chance to work toward the goal of becoming more of a unit and serving the Lord together. I am so glad to be part of a team. It is a huge challenge and a huge blessing to be able to work together to advance God's kingdom.

Haha

Haha :D Somebody put this on Ian's head for some reason. It wasn't me! :D
The face cracks me up.

"We don't pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be; Christlike Christians, that is, Christians who will bear willingly the cross for God's glory." -From a letter smuggled out from the underground church in Romania

Poor Cat....

As cute as this is... the cat must be very starved for attention. :D

Dad's Newest Project

He made this mini-greenhouse. It's awesome! :D

I'm pretty sure he would like to build one that fills up our whole yard, but at least he has a start.... :D

Ian

Decorating Easter Eggs

We had fun decorating eggs this year! :D It's a fun tradition to have but we have to make sure that it doesn't distract from the real meaning of Easter. Tonight we are going to see a passion play (the Easter story) at our neighbors church (they are in it). I think a ton of people really don't celebrate the true meaning of Easter, it's too centered around Easter baskets, candy, and a big fluffy bunny.... what's with the bunny anyway? haha Anyway, happy Easter everyone! And make sure to celebrate the true meaning of Easter which is Jesus Christ.

Outside Before the Snow Came

Ian is getting really good riding his bike without training wheels. Well actually, it's not his bike... but we have it and it fits him... so he gets to ride a pink bike! :D

Or course, Dad is having lots of fun gardening! :D

Weather Can Change a Lot in 1 Day....

These two pictures were taken within 24 hours! :D

The fun sister

I'm not exactly sure what's up with the faces....

but I'm pretty sure they were having fun!

Andi is awesome! As you all know... I would never do something this silly. haha

Someone's tired...

Seth was so tired the other day he just curled up under the computer desk and fell asleep! :D