Benjamin's 10th Birthday

B opening a gift from the boys on his birthday morning.

B blows out the candle on the blueberry pie made by Keith. Yum!

On Thursday night we met my parents at Chili's to celebrate B's birthday.

B blows out the candle in his dessert at Chili's.

B opens his gift from Granny and Papa.

We rather celebrated B's birthday week. The weather on his actual birthday delayed our family dinner, so we celebrated at home on Monday, then all day at Disneyland on Wednesday, and finally at Chili's with Granny and Papa on Thursday evening. He had a wonderful time, and I can't believe that our youngest child is TEN! I am simply not THAT old.

A November Snow!

We had snow in November for the first time since moving here in 2001.  The kids loved it and really adored playing in the cold, wet stuff.

Tree Decorating '09

The kids very much enjoyed decorating the Christmas Tree this year -- Elizabeth is the Decorating Maven of our household. 

October 30: Hallowe'en Eve

Keith's Creation: Jack-in-the-Dark

Benjamin and Jack o'Lantern

First Day of School: San Diego Zoo

Kids on First Day of School


California Tower in Balboa Park and Plane from Zoo Skyfari


New Elephant Odyssey


Polar Bear Plunge, taken by Jonathan

Summer Photos: Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach through Palms from Boardwalk


Pacific Beach Lifeguard Tower Flag


Pacific Beach Pier through Palms from Boardwalk

4th of July Weekend

While Jonathan enjoyed boogie-boarding at the beach on July 5, Timothy and Benjamin got creative with sand and a shovel... and are quite pleased with the results.

At the Del Mar Fair

The garden exhibits are always my favorite part of the Del Mar Fair ("San Diego Fair" is not jelling with me yet). The musical theme was well-done in the above exhibit by Home Depot -- I love the piano-key walkways and the fun tropical shack. It was definitely the kids' favorite exhibit, too -- both Elizabeth and Timothy were clicking away with their cameras, capturing the exhibit from every angle. I think the only thing they liked better than this garden exhibit was the funnel cakes....

Cuyamaca

Stonewall Peak (right) and Little Stonewall (left) with Lake Cuyamaca in foreground.

Lake Cuyamaca

Every summer when I was a child we camped in the Cuyamaca Mountains, east of San Diego. I took the kids to Lake Cuyamaca a couple of weeks ago to meet a Brave Writer family from the Shakespeare class I taught in May. I love these mountains that I've climbed on foot and on horseback, the lake that I've hiked around and rose horses around, and Fletcher Island in the center of the lake, the scene of many picnics over the years. My mother camped here throughout her childhood, as did I, and my kids camped here before the fires of 2003 swept through here, decimating the trees and several of the campgrounds, including Los Caballos, our horse camp. Despite the fire damage, it's still a gorgeous place, made sweeter by the generations of memories that reside here.

Pacific Sunset

We had a lovely sunset from my parents' rooftop deck on the evening of their anniversary party on June 27. Happy 45th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Family, friends, good food, great conversation, and perfect weather = an evening to remember.

Boys....

Timothy quickly picked up this 3 1/2 foot gopher snake earlier this month in our front yard when we were returning from our final Class Day. He has such a love for reptiles and amphibians.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park

I took the three boys (Elizabeth had to work at the Bible Camp) to the Wild Animal Park a week ago Friday to celebrate Jonathan's 12th birthday. My brother Tom and his son Tommy met us there partway through the afternoon. The four boys had so much fun together, as always, and I loved the botanical gardens as well as the animals. The fishing village pictured above is one of my favorite photo ops.

J's 12th Birthday

Blowing out candles on his cake

Cousin Tommy met us at the Wild Animal Park -- all four boys squeezing into weaver's nest...

J opening his gifts

Elizabeth's First Craft Fair

Elizabeth sold at her first craft fair for the Mountain Empire Little League this past Saturday. The event wasn't nearly as busy as we would have liked, and she only sold $38, $10 she had to pay for the fee. It provided a good experience, though, in dealing with mountain winds (we had to take down the big sign right after this photo as it kept getting blown over) and with selling her jewelry.

Saints Philip and James, Apostles

On Friday we celebrated two Apostles, Philip and James, who were part of the Twelve. Rather than the celebratory white/cream and gold that is usually worn during Eastertide, Father Acker's vestments were red, remembering the martyrdom of these two faithful Apostles.

B helps Father Acker tidy up after Communion.

Father finishes cleaning the chalice and starts a Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion.

Heat Wave! 110 Degrees in April?

The thermometer on our front porch at 4:30 this afternoon....

J setting up rather dusty fans for the first time ... no A/C in our home!

Keith's New Window

Keith is working on a second stained glass window for the Ademas, one that will complement the 1500+ piece window he created for their stairwell last year. This one will be in a sliding door for their bedroom, surrounded by dark wood. Keith has the difficult parts done: the two clusters of grapes and all the leaves, both of which match elements in the original window. From the hallway both windows will be visible, so having them complementing each other is vital. I can't wait to see this one when Keith completes it.

Easter Sunset

As we drove home from the cabin, we stopped and took a few quick photos of the gorgeous sunset....

Easter Morning Breakfast

Coloured eggs and lemon scones....

Holy Saturday Vigil

Icon of Jesus storming hell, conquering death


Father Acker and B, at Holy Saturday Vigil