Boating with Abby

Abby loved being on the lake...tubing, riding, everything about it. Every time we would stop to pick up someone who had fallen she would ask if she could jump in to cool off.
Abby wearing Katie's sunglesses.

Abby, Aunt Susie (Abby's new friend), and a bit of Chase.

Abby...after jumping in to cool off.

Trying to get warm after cooling off. She had a blast!

An aspiring chef

At the cabin, Emma had tons of fun cooking. She made a chocolate cake with my Aunt Allison and my dad was teaching her how to dice vegetables. Yikes!

What a great learning opportunity!

The handcart

The youth in our church are going on a handcart trek this weekend. Somehow Josh ended up being the one to build it. The wheels and axle were ordered but he bought and made the rest. I think it turned out really nice. I hope the youth have fun this weekend.

Jacob really wanted to pull it but he just couldn't pick it up by himself.

Abby thought she was so strong.

The kids had a blast playing with it before it got picked up.

Hair dos

My cousin Katie was at the cabin and the girls fell in love with her. She would briad their hair (something I need to learn to do) and let them follow her around. Emma and Abby thought she was 'best girl to hang out with'...besides me of course. :) Katie was leaving on Sunday so she fixed the girls' hair one last time before we headed out to church.
Emma, Katie, and Abigial
Abby and Jacob with my sister Nicole.

Emma, Josh, and a bit of my dad visiting Sunday morning.

Abigail was trying to finish getting ready for church, and I was holding her up by taking her picture. Silly girl!

Emma's braided hair. I can never get my 'attempts' at French braids to look that good...or even stay in their hair for that matter. They had a blast meeting familiy!

Ride 'em cowboy!

While at the cabin, Emma and Aaron decided they wanted to start riding the kneeboard. (Abby did too, but we told her she wasn't old enough yet.) The first few times they held on to the board while they rode but then they got more adventurous and actually held the rope.
Aaron even tried several times to spin the kneeboard around. Needless to say...those attempts always ended in a splash.

However, he did master the art of one-handed riding.

Emma had a lot of run in the water, but she always looked so scared out there.

The lovely windblown look.

Riding the boat after her turn in the water.

Bridge jumping

Every year at the cabin many crazy people (of course I'm not included) find it fun to jump off of this bridge. Due to the amount of rain they've received this year, the jump is several feet shorter...however still way too far for me to even consider. For some strange reason, my kids love to jump off of the bridge. (I have always thought they were a bit crazy!)

Josh, the kids, Chase, and Alexis getting ready to jump. Maybe they should draw straws to see who goes first.

Abby ended up jumping first (after Josh of course). Unfortunately she did a belly flop. She was so proud of herself for jumping, but she had no desire to do it again. Maybe next year...

Aaron, as always, was fearless.

Emma was right behind him. She was so fast I didn't even get a picture of her falling. I'm glad my kids are a little more daring than me. :)

Catching fireflies

One night at the cabin in Tennessee, Josh and Emma went out (after the other siblings were sleeping) and caught fireflies. Emma found it fascinating and had a blast doing it. I think it's wonderful to see how the children respond when they get some special one-on-one time, especially with their dad. It's so important to let each child know that they, as an individual, are special and loved. I'm grateful Josh takes advantage of the little moments to show them that.

Backyard camping

One of the kids favorite activities is to go camping in the backyard. I almost think they like it more than 'real' camping...mainly because of the bathrooms. :) I tend to agree with them. The best part is that I get to sleep in my comfortable bed surrounded by silence. Josh, on the other hand, doesn't get much sleep on those nights. But the kids absolutely love it! The simple pleasures in life... Setting up camp.

Most of the time Jacob ends up staying inside with me, but he really wants to be a camper.

Aaron being silly as he brings out the camping gear.

Trip to Hereford

Earlier this summer, a group of moms and kids (12 minivans worth) drove to Hereford, TX to swim at their pool. Sad to say, but Clovis didn't even have an open pool at the time. It was an hour drive but well worth the trip.
Abby and her friend Holly.

The slide.

Aaron loved going down it! Abby even went down too.

Emma and David enjoying the water.

Me and Jacob....just hanging out. His favorite part was eating the treats!

Emma's baptism

Emma Grace Martin was baptized on June 12, 2010. What a special day it was! I have a hard time believing that our children are getting older, yet every time I turn around, of them has reached another milestone. I don't feel any older but time keeps on ticking. We are so proud of our 8 year old girl! Thanks to all who came to make it a special day for her!
Emma

Josh and Emma...they were both so excited.

My dad came over from the Middle East to be there. We were so grateful he could make it.

Grandfather and Granny (Josh's parents)

Me, Emma, and my mom...three generations. What a great day!

It's a......

DOG! When we got home yesterday, Josh surprised the kids with a yorkie puppy. They were thrilled...well the older ones were at least. Abby won't go near him because she's scared. Jacob wants to play with him but gives a shrill scream every time the dog comes near him. Yesterday evening he was running away from the dog and ended up screaming on the floor while he got licked. And I mean screaming in a terrified-it's-going-to-eat-me kind of way. I quickly went to his rescue but I thought it was pretty funny! The kids have named the dog Riley (I hope my sister doesn't hate me--she just named her baby girl that). I tried to talk the kids out of it but they were dead set on it. When we started talking about getting a dog earlier in the year, that's the name they picked...and it just stuck. My only complaint about the dog is that I just finished potty training Jacob and now I have to potty train a dog. *sigh* Here's our household menace.

Summer fun

We've spent the summer traveling around visiting family. It's been lots of fun and I've taken tons of pictures. Unfortunately I don't have the program to take the pictures off of my camera. When I get back next week, there will be a plethera of pictures to see. Can't wait to be back home!