The track

Ian's entry

Ian got creative with his yellow Speedster, adding a cool looking back engine and Lego driver. I love their excitement as they plan and prepare! What a fun day!

AWANA Grand Prix

This was Isaac's second year to enter the Grand Prix. He designed this "Red Rocket", and though it didn't win any awards, it was definitely a lot of fun to build it together and watch it fly down the track. And yes, it helps if you wear a cape when designing your race car!

Candy elevator

Noodling around

Breakfast scramble

Nose dive

A bit dicey

Nut stacker

Belated birthday pictures

Here is Ian with his tenth birthday cake. I agreed to let him have a big "friend" birthday party instead of our usual small family get together since this was his big 10. He chose a Minute to Win It theme, complete with loads of fun games for everyone to try. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Ian asked that people donate money toward providing a water filter for a needy family through Samaritan's Purse instead of bringing him presents. He was so excited when he found that enough money was donated for TWO filters, plus two broods of chicks. Isaac surprised us both by emptying his piggy bank for the cause. I'm so proud of the giving heart I see growing in this boy. Ian is an eager helper and has a sensitive heart for others. He is such an encouragement to me with his kind words and grateful attitude. I love you, buddy!

Black and light

We spent an enjoyable day at the Air Force Museum today, including a trip to the Presidential Hangar where we got to hang out in several retired Air Force One planes. It was especially interesting to go through with Dave Barton as we got to the pictures of South Pacific airstrips from WW2, many of which he is now using in his trips to supply missionaries and deliver God's Word in Papua New Guinea.

You know it's going to be good when the eastern sky looks like this at sunset...

...and so you turn around to see THIS!!!

Isn't our Creator an amazing artist?!?

Cool bug!

My best find from the hike today!

I told you Isaac's pockets were full! No, but our backpacks were. All in the name of lime green accents for my decor!

Peace like a river

We ditched household chores today in favor of what will probably be one of our final hikes for the fall. It was a gorgeous day, just perfect for hiking at the Narrows. This was one of the quieter moments along the way, as our trek was packed with whistling, laughter, goofy faces, climbing, clambering, and fun.

Sent from my iPhone

Table...er, POCKET...of contents!

We used to empty Isaac's pockets every night when he was little just to take pictures of all the little bits he'd collected throughout the day. Looks like he still hasn't outgrown that habit, but now his pockets are bigger and can hold even more! Here we have Ian's Awana badge from last year, 4 Lego ladders stacked together, a couple mini decks of cards, a handful of dice, a corn maze map, an eraser, a pebble, and a few spare Lego parts! Don't even get me started on his pockets after our hike today!!!

A bit of tractor trouble

While at the corn maze today, we participated in the world's shortest hayride. The tractor died upon starting, got jumped, travelled 3 inches, and then died again! We decided to walk. It was such a BEAUTIFUL day anyway.

All that wandering and we finally found some CORN!

Beautiful day to wander through some corn!

Isaac's version of the Statue of Liberty

Comparing the stability and strength of Cubes vs. Pyramids

Our Rosh Hashanah feast

This year we are learning about the Jewish feasts days and their significance to us now as Christians. We started tonight with the feast of trumpets. Good thing Ian bought that trumpet at the antique show!