Some serious 2 o'clock shadows

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Prize Winning Lion

Near the end of the school year the boys and I were studying lions and decided to make a lion sculpture out of whatever we could find lying around the house. This is how he turned out, and I just couldn't bear to part with him quite yet when it came time to move. So despite the eye-rolling of my friend who was helping me pack, he earned a stow away ride in the dining room hutch.

Then I learned of the library's "build an animal out of recycled household items" contest and just knew he'd fit the bill. His body is a large tin can covered in construction paper, feather covered paper plate mane, dowels from cloth wall calendars for legs, egg carton cups for feet complete with plastic fork claws and teeth. My favorite is his tail, made out of a frayed out shoelace that picked up lots of grass in the soccer field--Isaac gets credit for that idea.

It appears the judges agreed and our little lion won first place! Now there's a reason to be a packrat! Just don't tell my parents. They don't need any further justification!
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The solution for too much arguing...

...Just organize a water flute band! They can't talk and it demands cooperation.

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It's official

The airshow parade has begun!

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Like mother, like son

The sun has set on a busy day of birthday celebrating--breakfast at Bill's Donuts, a day at the Newport Aquarium, and a picnic dinner with my wonderful family. We played hard and will now sleep well. Ian and I had to take the trash out to the road when we got home tonight and this is how we found Isaac when we came back in. My family used to always tease me about how "stiff" I slept. Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I don't know if I ever balanced my stuffed animals quite like that though!

Thanks for the many kind birthday wishes. I'm so thankful for my loving family!!!
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I'm trying to remember how to ride a bike.

My family bought me a great surprise for my birthday. My brother nearly ran me over with it before I noticed what was up!
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One less tooth to brush

Isaac has joined the toothless, money-hungry world of first graders, courtesy of Aunt Susan on Wednesday. Say cheese!

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Up close and personal

Isaac used his "first tooth" loot to purchase a bug vacuum today. We caught an awesome moth on the back porch!

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1st Annual G.D.L.L. Convention

While the global politicians prefer locations like Europe, apparently the grand-daddy long legs have chosen our porch ceiling. There were 14 out here tonight as we relaxed on the swing (that is, until I caught wind of their "summit"--these guys are giving me the willies!)
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H11BD

The latest Clone from Star Wars-- aka Happy 11th Birth Day--made by yours truly for my nephew Christopher. Hard to believe he's getting so old!
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Hey little birdie

The boys found this empty nest and decided it wasn't complete without an egg.
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Generation gap

The closest Francis Barton will ever get to being on a blackberry.
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Goofy Brothers

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Sweetness

My nickname for Isaac has always been "Sweetness wrapped in baby skin" or "Sweets" for short. See why?
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Picture this

We're all out at the ballfield cheering on Christopher's team on this, his 11th birthday.
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A walk in the garden

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

 

Isaac's finish!

 

Isaac was the youngest runner in today's 5K and came in well ahead of most of the adults and in 3rd place for the "Men Under 18" age group. Both boys ran the entire race, stopping only for a quick sip at the 2 water stations. That's his PE teacher, Nicole Gallier, running beside him. She's done a great job training the boys for this event!

The Finish Line is in Sight!

 

Here's Ian as he turned into the Y parking lot, headed for the finish. Both feet are off the ground--did he fly through the whole race? I'm not sure, but I know he's been on a high ever since this morning, proudly wearing his second place medal all day! What a great smile, especially to be wearing it still at the end of the race!

Got some catchin' up to do...

A friend recently commented in her blog how she "hadn't blogged in forever" and her last post was dated just a few weeks ago. I wonder what she'd say of my pathetic blogging habits? Well, pull up a chair and enjoy a quick pictorial review of our last few months. You may want to scroll down to the end of the 2009 posts and work your way back up so it's in order. My apologies on depriving you all of your Ian and Isaac fixes for so long.

Mom makes everything better!

 

What a precious treat to have a visit from my mom last week! While it was supposedly a birthday present for her, it was purely selfish on my part. It had been 5 years since she'd been in my home. It was so special to get to introduce her to our wonderful friends and church "family" here. While it was also supposed to be a relaxing time for her, we stayed very busy. Walked around our favorite park downtown, went to the Greenville Zoo (even had a cold picnic on January 30th!), drove up into the mountains, went to our ladies tea at church, and had a rousing game of backyard basketball on her final day with us. Such precious memories. Thank you, dad, for allowing me to steal her away for the week, and thank you to David & Julie, Larry & Susan for helping transport her halfway to me.

Ian's favorite gift

 

...his remote controlled helicopter. Love that smile!

The sun sets on Christmas

 

The view as we drove up Paris Mountain for Christmas dinner with our friends.

The best thing under my tree this year!

 

I won't bore you with pictures of every present, but suffice it to say that the boys were really blessed this year at Christmas. Thank you to everyone who went out of their way to make Ian and Isaac's day extra special. We felt your love and prayers behind every present.