As I was tucking my kiddos in bed on Weds. night, I said to them (individually), "You know that I am thankful for you?" Rebekah's response was, "Well, yeah. I mean, do you think that I thought you were lying the past 8 years. I mean, you tell me that ALL THE TIME!!!" Daniel's response was, " I know, I think you tell me that just about every day!"

Anyhow, it just cracked me up! I am so glad my kids know without a doubt how much I love them and their father, and how thankful I am for them every day!

I forgot my camera at Thanksgiving, but we had a great time at Anne and Micah's. It was a day that was very honoring to the Lord. We carried on our family tradition of making a Thanksgiving tree - and people had much to be thankful for... from growing through sickness and trials, to rejoicing in abundance; for family and friends and a God who is all-knowing and all-sufficient! There were 30 of us - some family, some friends, but all with a common bond. We prayed and sang hymns and ate LOTS of food - including Hope's 'sweet potato goodness' which has been demanded by all since the year she gave me the recipe! It even made the thanksgiving tree!!!

I hope you are all rejoicing today in the Lord!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

Cleveland Zoo/Summer Fun

One of our weeks between camps this year landed us in Cleveland. While we were there we made it to the Metroparks Zoo. Here are some of our highlights!

Daniel took this shot of the snow leopards - it is one of my favorites!

And here's the oldest animal we saw!

The Cleveland Zoo had a great touch pool. It had lots of stingray and a few sharks.

There were animals everywhere!!!

If you look closely you can see my mom's teeth are blue. I think she was eating cotton candy, which was the treat we always bought at zoos and ball games. Now I realize it was more for her than for us!

They also had camel rides!!!

Daniel was trying to make Rebekah wave, but I think she was scared to let go!

There was a really fun building where you could buy nectar and feed these fun birds - Lorikeets.

This one was very smart and got the cup away from Rebekah :)

Underwater friends... these are always my favorite (besides the penguins with the big eyebrows!)

Yes, there is a fish here

Family photo op.... and just for the record, I think my shorts are hideous, but I was desperate for shorts this summer (had 2 pairs), and these were $2.49 at Target. For that price, I will wear them every week!!

pretty flowers at the zoo

I know I told you all that I'd be posting about our summer adventures. Well, this isn't the first time I have confessed slacking off on my blogging, and I'm sure it won't be the last! Well, tonight, however, I have my computer back up and running (YEAH!), my kids and their cousins are snuggled warm and sleeping in bed, and my hubby is on a conference call. This is actually the end of the summer (really about 2 weeks after we should have been home starting school already - but one of the benefits of traveling camps out East is that you get a longer summer!!!) After our very last week on the road - week #10 - we drove home through Chicago. Now, those of you who know me... if there was one thing that I would do in Chicago, what would it be???

It was SO SWEET!!! I can't tell you how excited I was to hear that the Cubs were playing at home that night! Wrigley Field was amazing!

The next day we had to take the kids to experience their first Giordano's! It was especially good because it was super rainy and cold!



We tried to go up the Sears Tower, but it was closed - too cloudy. So, we drove to the Navy Pier, but it just wasn't going to let up! We decided just to head for home, but we had one stop to make. :) Can anyone guess why Daniel named his bear Sammy? :)

the right supplies...

"Mama, what are we going to do if Obama makes president?"

"Well, we'll pray for him!"

"But mama, how can he lead a country without the right supplies, like Jesus Christ!"

"Sweetie, our hope is in Jesus Christ, not a man who will be our president. Either man who makes it, we'll pray for his salvation!"