Family Bike Ride

This year for we got the big 3 kids and ourselves new bikes! We have been wanting to do this for a while but getting good bikes for 5 people is NOT cheap so we have waited and waited. As much as we are opposed to Black Friday and the ridiculous consumerism it represents we used it to our advantage this year and got half off all the bikes - plus we got humbled a bit in the process of taking part.

So the day after Christmas we took the new Christmas bikes, Adison's new birthday bike and our little Kaden monkey (who just kind of wraps his legs around his dads bike) for our first official family bike ride! It was so fun and so tiring and all of our butts were sore for days to help us remember the wonderful family event.

Ready to ride!

Here are some pictures of the kiddos who were not only thrilled with the bikes but enjoyed the new helmets almost as much,

Best shot I could get of Kaden in the helmet... he was SO EXCITED about the shark fin.

He seriously just holds onto Kyle's bike like this the whole time... it looks so funny!

Princess Adison!

Who is a TROOPER and can handle her own out there!

.

Crazy Kenyon!

Beautiful Avery!

Annoying Adia who tries to ruin all of my pictures!

We took a ride around Lake Natomas in Folsom and it was SO BEAUTIFUL! I think we stopped and played by the water more than we actually rode bikes but hey - it's still considered a bike ride! And I LOVED the chance to snap some shots on my new camera! That was my Christmas present from Kyle and I am so thankful he is giving me another chance to take care of a camera! I have such good models that love to pose and make the me feel so talented!

My silly son

I have about 1000 just like this!

This little guy wanted to stop and have a snack every 2 minutes... it's amazing how excited oranges can be!

This is where little boys belong!

Gosh I love these girls!

Bit I don't love how old they are looking... Adia needs to just stop!

Kenyon doing his norm - showing off!

Avery planned this shot and although it isn't all that great it makes me smile since I remember how much Adison and her wanted to take it and how not cool Adia thought it was.

Plus it shows off my Adia's super oober strong arms! The girl really is SO STRONG!

Since this trip the kids have gone on a few more with Kyle while I have been at classes and things. I think our family might just make a lot of GREAT memories on these bikes! So glad we finally gave in and bought them.

Carter Fun

We got lucky to have Uncle Ty and Aunt Christie join us for a week. The kids LOVED having them. While Aunt Christie worked hard for the money, Uncle Ty worked hard keeping my kids happy and even helping me school them. It was awesome! Plus Kyle and I even got a double date with them and I got a few documentaries in with them. I usually have to watch them alone and it was fun having real adult people in my house to learn with. I think they are hooked and are going to want to come watch more soon (just kidding, I actually think they might think my movie choices are a bit odd).

Here is just 1 days worth of fun.... I didn't pull the camera out too much.

Notice who is on top! I love it!

While the little ones played with me and had fun on the kid area, Kenyon and Avery enjoyed time with Uncle Ty doing big kid stuff.

Avery went first on the big inflatable...

Followed by Kenyon

and Uncle Ty.

Then they headed to the other one where Avery didn't know Uncle Ty was waiting to scare her. He really is so fun for the kids and seems like he actually enjoys it, like he's not jut trying to be nice. Look at his sneaky position. :)

We came to watch the big 3 for a bit.

Kenyon was in HEAVEN!!!!

and so was I.

Mom CAN Do It!

This all started a couple Mother's Days ago. I had wanted to go to Tahoe to enjoy the day since it was too hot in EDH. I said I'd love to go for a walk with the kids. I was envisioning a cement path (like sidewalk) that goes through the beautiful forested areas with views of the lake. I have since learned those don't exist. Anyway, on the way there we saw signs for Horsetail Falls and Kyle says we should do that hike with the kids. He had heard it was beautiful and leads to a waterfall and it was about a half hour closer than going all the way into Tahoe. I was convinced and we pulled over to start my beautiful Mother's Day walk with the kids. Not long after we started on the very natural trail (meaning dirt, bugs and sticks), just a way past the stinking bathrooms, we arrived at a beautiful rock area with a gorgeous water feature (not sure what nature people would call it). After a good photo opportunity and a near death experience with a small animal on my flip-flop covered foot (and a bit of screaming and a bit of Kyle embarrassed of me) I was done and ready to go home. The kids and Kyle were annoyed because I guess we hadn't really started the trail yet. I insisted it was Mother's Day and I should decide. So with tearful kids and a frustrated husband we drove home silently.

That brings us to the day I conquered the hike. I decided it was a beautiful day, the weather was gorgeous and slightly cool (which I love). I told Kyle I'd like to do that hike again. He kind of laughed and then when he realized I was serious said "let's do it". The kids invited Grandma Jenny, Uncle Ty and Sarah. I wore shoes to protect me from the scary animals found all over the ground and we were off.

Now that it is over, I kind of laugh. It was fun. It was beautiful. I really enjoyed being out in God's amazing creation, with people I love, and would do it again any day - well as long as it was cool outside. Here are some pictures of what I conquered. And before you judge me too hard, know that I have hiked half dome. Did I love it? No. Do I think I might actually enjoy it now? Yep. Well, that is if I could physically do it, but the point is, if I could, I would. Of course, I'm not in the pictures but just know I had to be there to take them.

This picture was taken purely to make Grandpa Paul jealous.

We were a bit surprised but so excited to see patches of snow all over the place.

My HANDSOME boys!

Feelin' Proud

Sarah, the big sister that all the kids adore!

Love it!

Yes, Kenyon jumped in the freezing water... and yes, that is snow all around.

Aww... brothers are cute!

Adison was amazing out there.

She had a blast and looked gorgeous the whole time.

See, I was there.

THE END!

Creation Field Trip

One area of history that Christians and the world seem to be so confused about it creation. When scientist talk about millions & billions of years and carbon dating and so on it can feel very overwhelming and confusing to those of us who take the bible literally and stand firm that when God says he created the world in 6 days - that is actually what He means. I'm not the brightest girl in town either so although I trust God's word and choose to believe it over the ever changing views of scientist I am SO GLAD there are super smart people out there who can scientifically back up the reality of Creation and how it actually can fit into science just fine. Our family has really enjoyed a ministry called Answers in Genesis. We have several of their books and have found so much encouragement from the work they do. So this past weekend when we found out that Ken Ham (one of the founders) would be in San Jose teaching on the subject we had to go. Adia and I sat through 5 classes on things like Dinosaurs and how they fit into a 6,000 year old world, astronomy and creation, defending the Christian Faith biblically and scientifically, one nation- one race and more. We learned so much! There was even one class for Kenyon and Avery to join in on to learn about when Dinosaurs were created, what the fall of man did to them, why they are gone, how they fit on Noahs Ark and more. The kids really enjoyed it and were challenged to trust God's word and never to be swayed by the wisdom of this sin filled world. Of course I didn't take pictures during the conference so I will show you what we did between classes instead. :)

When we drove up to my moms fall entry I remembered why I have always loved holidays and I feel so guilty if I don't have seasonal things in my home. Now, I am pretty sure my sister actually did this for her but regardless she did it for our mom because for so many years my mom did it for us!

And friends remember my dad always planting new flowers and hosing down our cement daily. Our yard was always so clean and pretty. So of course it is no surprise that although he is now enjoying ranch life it is so clean and the entry to his part of the property is beautiful! This is just to the left of the picture above.

Adia really enjoyed giving the kids rides in this but I think she enjoyed it more when they all got out and she could go fast. She always asks us if she can drive our cars and of course the answer is no (except for once or twice from me) and her arguement is that Papa lets her drive these things and his truck. Of course if Papa wants to sign papers saying he will pay for any damage she does to our cars than she is more than welcome to drive ours also.

None of the girls are allowed to stand in the back of these things while they are going but for some reason my dad has decided Kenyon can not only stand while he is driving, Kenyon gets to dance with his hands in the air. And I'm not giong to tell you what I think my dads motives are for that!

Anyway, it was a great little field trip.

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed

In honor of Johnny Appleseed's upcoming birthday our family spent Sunday (after church of course) at Apple Hill. It's a local place where there are tons of apple orchards all close to each other and in the fall they always have tons of activities going on. We usually take a few trips there a year. This past Sunday we visited 5 of the orchards and had a bunch of fun.
Actually to be totally honest I was hot and felt dirty and after the second one I was ready to go home but the kids and the dad insisted we keep going. So here is a bit of what we did...

Our happy family after the long day!

Mom is extra happy because we are on our way back to the car. :)

I wasn't sure what this was but Adia says right away "look at the big emu"... whatever!

Kaden was happy to keep his distance.

Adia and Adison participated in the egg race... Adia got a free carmel apple for 2nd place!

Adison got a bunch of tears for dropping her egg off the spoon. She didn't care that most of the kids did the same thing.

Making apple turnovers... we cooked them at home the next day - so yummy!

Kaden trying to get in on the action.

This guy was taking people for rides on his little cart being pulled by miniature horses. He actually went pretty fast around the turns.
Couldn't pass up the opportunity for cute daddy daughter photos.

So cute... as you can see Avery isn't being as sweet as her brother (notice her open hand).

Daddy and his best buddy looking for fish.

Following the leader.

"Mommy, take my picture."

And here are a few pictures I found as I downloaded my camera...

I thought Kyle would LOVE for me to share them!

This is what little girls do with their little brothers when they are bored... Avery and Adia think these are SO FUNNY!

Kenyon looks like he might just have a future career in modeling in the other pictures for his nice poses in a girls bra and scrap fabric... but after posting them I realized if you blow it up there is a bit of boy parts showing so I needed to remove it. If you got lucky enough to see his great pose - oops!