Hunt-o-rama part 1

Playing catch up . . . but it's fun catch up. We had so much fun with Terry and Sharon when they came in October.  It was a bit of an unusual trip for them as Simon and I were both still working and Lucy was still in school everyday.  They got to have a taste of our crazy "real life" (right, guys?)
It was so magic having them here during my favorite season.  We took a wonderful day trip to Riley's Farm to pick pumpkins and have lunch.  The weather was sunny and warm and we got to hike around and enjoy the Colonial sites. 

Lucy and the Hunt men!

Lucy chose and bought this bonnet and fan with her own money. 

She was thrilled. 

Sweet revenge!

Papa Wales read many story books to the kids including family favorite, Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
This time is priceless.

Imperial Smack Down

And on one final note from Henry's birthday.  Simon was such a trooper. He dressed up as Darth Vadar and had a "fight" with the young Jedis. It was a blood bath.

Click here to check it out.

Four!

October 19th, 2013, Henry decided it was high time he turned four.

 Nana and Papa Hunt flew from Wales to celebrate. 

The day started out with donut cake for the birthday boy. 

We quickly moved into party mode. Henry had requested a Star Wars party. Simon created the invites.

And we got to partying!

Street tacos from the streets of Mos Eisley were served. 

The choice of meats ranged from Hoth Wampa, Rancor, to Taun Taun. 

 Light sabers were made of pool noodles and duct tape. They came in very handy in the bounce house.
Young Jedi costumes were also worn . . . for a while. Until they got too itchy and hot.

Pin the helmet on the Vadar was played. 

Henry, my boy. You are so so wonderful.  You are full of joy, full of fight, full of beans, full of life.  We love your spirit and your cuddles. We love your thoughtful answers and love for your sister. We equally love your "cool guy walk" and your "serious shooting face."
You are such an amazing boy.  God went over the top when he blessed us with you.   Happy birthday!

Lucy's 6th Birthday

Well this girl is 6.

She's pretty good at being 6 already, even though she's only been 6 for about a month.

She loves:

Jesus

School

Chapel

Singing

Playing on the bars

Cherub Choir at church

Playing with friends

Creating art

Writing notes for people to find

TV shows Wild Kratts and Peg + Cat

Krispy Kreme donuts "fresh off the conveyor belt"

Disneyland

Adventure

She does not love:

Socks with bumps

Getting shots at the doctor

Going to bed

Legaches

Tuna Salad

Uncomfortable clothes

Naps "I have NO SLEEPING POWER!"

Movies with sad bits

So this 6 year old required some serious birthday fun.

Here's what we did:

We started with a little Krispy Kreme donut bash at school with her buddies.

 Most wore hats. 

All ate delicious mini donuts to celebrate!

 Then it was off to Disneyland for rides and fun with Mimi and Papa, then a super special fancy dinner with the princesses at Ariel's Grotto. 

 We rode some of Lucy's favorites including the Swings! 

 Dinner with the Princesses time. 

It was such a treat to have all the princesses come to our table for a little chat!

 Where's Henry you ask?

Henry decided that he was terrified of the princesses, so he ate his dinner under the table. 

Literally. 

We slipped him scraps like he was the family pooch.

He would occasionally whisper, "Are they gone?"

 Next we went to Build a Bear. Lucy got to choose a cuddly toy to stuff. She chose a bunny and gave it 6 hearts in honor of her birthday. She also chose a mint chocolate scent to put inside. Last, she chose a Jedi costume for it, complete with tiny light saber.

The bunny's name?

Buttercup Skywalker

Finally, it was on to the family campout!

We set up for 2 nights at the Caspers Wilderness Area. The helpful ranger at the gate gave us several pamphlets on how to protect ourselves against mountain lions that are known to inhabit the area. 

*gulp*

Mimi and Papa, Heather and Ron, and Rosie and Sadie were on hand the first night to help celebrate. We had presents and hobo packs and gourmet s'mores!

Then it was time for Mimi, Papa, Ron, and Heather to head down the mountain leaving Simon and I with the 4 littles. Everyone snuggled into their sleeping bags and went to sleep. 

What a weekend! 

Happy Birthday Lucy!

We love you!

First days . . . for everyone

Ok. Breathe. 

Our little Lucy girl is a kindergartener now and she is absolutely loving it. 

It has been a great big transition for our teeny tiny girl, but she has embraced it completely and gone from days of napping (still) and playing outside to a more scheduled life from 8:15 - 3:00. 

Me you ask? Not as smooth a transition.

Favorite writer Anne Lammot writes, "Everything I've ever let go of has claw marks . . " and I could have easily clutched onto this little girl for longer. . . forever! But I chose to be brave and send her.

There were tears on the first day for us both. She walked in line with her classmates with the parents trailing behind. We made it all the way to the door before she started crying. We hugged and remembered the verse she had learned just that Sunday:

 "Be strong and courageous. Don't be terrified or discouraged. For the Lord is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

And I was a mess. It's a good thing those big old plastic sunglasses are still in style 

because Mama was LOSING IT behind them. 

And then THIS GUY started his second year of preschool as a Butterfly in Mrs. WIlliams class.

He is attending 2 mornings a week and loves carrying his Star Wars lunchbox.  Silly and passionate, honest and prone to spontaneous acts of sword play, this kid is unstoppable. 

Bass Lake Recreation

August found the family once again in Bass Lake . . . our home away from home.  We hunkered down at Ron's cabin and just played, ate, napped, played, swam, and then ate.  We started the day with long and luxurious coffee chats, and ended the day with hilarious and thoughtful wine chats. Our days were long and lovely with the knowledge that school was just around the corner.   What a time of peace.

Rosie turned 6 right before we departed.  

A wonderful family day that included a day at the Legoland water park for Lucy and Rosie. 

There's nothing like the lake!

Jump off the dock!

Family lift off!

Movies in a tent on the deck

Just a boat and a lake . . . simple and perfect

A trip to Jones Store in the high country made a perfect end to a beautiful week. 
Gratitude!

So This Chicken Walks Into A Bar . . .

Chickens. 

We've got em. 

 We decided to take home Lucy's baby chicks from her preschool class in June. 

They were free and I love a good deal. 

These little peeping fluff balls were so darn cute, we just couldn't help picking them up, playing with them . . . yes, one or two have even been kissed . . .repeatedly . . . on the top of the head. 

They soon outgrew their box, so we put them into Charlie's dog crate in the kitchen and went to Wisconsin for 2 weeks. 

Our extreme trooper house sitter Erica sent us updates on how they changed while we were gone. 

The mess was starting to be more than we bargained for, 

so these little pollitos were adios-ed to the garage.

We ordered a coop for them and waited until they were old enough to, like, live in it. 

Simon did an amazing job building it. 

And note the little pant-less farmer. 

They are still "free ranging." To the uneducated (us) that means that they casually stroll around your yard during the day, occasionally eating a fly or other annoying insect. 

They might fluff their feathers, or roost on tree branch.

Now that we've woken up from that little delusion, we now know that chickens are little rascals. Pooping, scratching, destroying. pooping, pecking, escaping, and then pooping . . .

. . .on your patio furniture.  Repeatedly.

We even find them breaking and entering.  This time, Lucy discovered them in the bedroom. 

Lovely!

We are having a great time with them though.  We love the way they rush off together like they are late for a dental appointment. 
And just look at these faces . . . 

PS- A fence is being built on Monday.