Jake's 7th Birthday

checking the floors with his new tool

lovin' the Lego card!

Grandpa reads his sentiments in Jake's card (b/c we can't)

Grammie follows

Joe delights as Jake reads his card to Jake

Grammie sacrifices and enters the corn field for the rocket

rocket launching

Papa rescues toys caught in the tree

 Just another friendly game of kickball with family...

(after we have just eaten a buffet of sandwiches of salads;...that should sit well!)

chasing mama to get her out

rocket arm from beyond center field (look how close he is to the Miller farm...haha!)

Did I mention "friendly"?

 SERIOUSLY?

more like it... CRAZY PEOPLE!!!!

A very fun-filled, exciting day for Jake as he grows another year older in age!

Playground friends

It was finally sunny, warm enough, and dry enough to meet at the playground with friends.  One of the moms got this picture and passed it along.  Fun group of kids (and moms!)...! :)

bible verses

   I have been trying to figure out an effective way to teach bible verses to the boys. I don't want to stretch to far from the "big words"...yet I don't want to try to teach a verse that seems irrelevant to them at their age.
  So, I finally thought to break it down in words, pictures, actions, songs, etc over a series of days.  Our first try...John 3:16.  It was a success.  They both know the verse.  And it was fun to see what they drew for the words/concepts.

joe (left) and jake (right) draw God

can you tell which set of hands goes with who?

Now...onto the Lord's Prayer.  Hopefully the song helps on this one.

Jake Swimming

waiting for his race

breaststroke...in the water..."take your mark"

he learned his backstroke start listening to us teach the high schoolers last year

he's a backstroker

butterfly