NEW BLOG!!

Because Blogger doesn't preserve the quality of my photos when I upload them, I have decided to move to a new blog site. Please visit me there....

http://beamfam.wordpress.com/

My Favorite From the Day

Need I say more?

A Much Needed Trip to the Park

I have been completely overwhelmed with school work this last week. I have two papers, two tests and two assignments (what is this, Noah's Ark?) all due in the next couple of days. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones who suffer the most during weeks like this. So, today I decided to put down the school books and get out and enjoy the beautiful weather at the park. It was good for the kids, but it was GREAT for me! I had so much fun taking their pictures and watching them enjoy each other. What sweet little kids; sometimes it is too easy to not enjoy them. Today was a good reminder of how important it is to take the time, no matter how inconvenient, to love on them.
I know that I have posted pictures like this one of Lillie before, but I love the close ups of her. Everyone we meet calls her "Curly", I can't figure out why??

Often times Madison and Eli are not the best of friends, but today they really enjoyed each other, which was a great change of pace!! They took turns helping each other up the slide while they played "pirates".

This picture may not seem like anything great, but I love it because it says a lot about Eli. He is a big boy in a lot of ways, but still a little boy at the same time. His comment to me shortly before this picture was, "Look Mom, I can do it with no hands." (Notice his arms still resting on the bars.) I could tell he felt very big walking that bar with "no hands".

I have tons more pictures, but couldn't get them all uploaded on blogger tonight. I really liked this one of the three of them. It shows their personalities. Madison, paying attention; Eli, having fun; and Lillie trying to figure out which one to immitate. What fun!! Why would I ever consider picking school work over this??

Soccer Ninjas

GOOOOOO SOCCER NINJAS!!

This year Madison gets to play with her "number 1 friend", Addie. They have had two games so far and are having a blast. They look so cute lined up in their uniforms!!

Since this is Madison's first year playing soccer, she has a lot to learn. I think she was a little nervous at first, but is getting better about getting in the game. She always says that she has fun, so in the long run, that's all that matters.

We love, love, love her coach. He has two little girls and coaches both their teams. He is always so positive, encourages the girls and takes time to appreciate each one of them. He even made up a little song for them to sing at all their games. Watching him interact with them is one of the best parts of the game; it is nice to know that all the girls leave that field feeling good about themselves, regardless of performance.

On another note, I got a new camera lens, but am still learning how to use it. Hopefully this means I will be taking more pictures to post on my blog....hopefully.

Better late than never...Goodbye summer, hello school time

Our favorite things about summer....

watermelon...
Eduardo...
friends...

naps on Granny's swing...

swimming...

bubbles...

more swimming...

and more swimming.

This summer we decided to take a trip to Oklahoma Science Museum and had a blast!! This will definitly be our list to to do's for next summer...now we know that we need a whole day instead of just a couple of hours.

We also had the opportunity to plan a little get together of my parent's friends for their 40th wedding anniversary. For those of you who know my mom very well, you know this is what every picture of her looks like.

But, all good things must come to an end; so off to school we go. Since I already did a post about Madison's first of school, I figured I better show a picture of the two little kids going to preschool on their first day. I had to work, so Dan got them up, ready, out the door on time, and even made time to take a couple of pictures. =) Big brother has been great to show little sister the ropes at Little Lord's Army...look how proud he is of his little sister.

Back to Cairo

Wednesday, Hannah left Oklahoma to return to her Egyptian home for one last semester (hopefully) at AUC. The night before she left we met at the park for a few pictures and a quick goodbye. We will miss her, but we know that her heart is in that big, crazy city of Cairo.

First Grade Already

I can't believe my little girl is in First Grade!!! This morning she was so excited to get up early (which won't last long), get ready, and head out to her first day in Mrs. Brixey's class. She is growing into such a beautiful little girl and seemed so grown up walking into the building by herself this morning. For those of you wondering, no I did not shed any tears; with two little ones still buckled in the backseat, there was no time. Luckily, Dan will be taking Eli and Lillie to their first day of preschool next week, which will leave me with three mornings of solitude every week...what ever shall I do?? Pedicure - here I come!!!

Introducing Family Member No. 9

Meet Roxy (or "Kitty" as Lillie calls her), the newest member of our family. She is a 9wk. old Boston Terrier and is one of the sweetest little dogs I have ever met. We are hoping that she will be a good companion for our other dog, Moez, who has desperately needed a friend for a long time. Maybe next picture of her we will find a bow for her! =)

Official Birthday pictures

After much delay, we finally had Lillie's Birthday party (we couldn't party without Aunt Hannah). Here are a few pictures from our celebration; despite the missing smile, I think that she had a good time. =) It is still very hard to believe that she is 2 years old, she still seems like our baby - honestly, I don't mind (and neither does she for that matter).

Summer fun

Hard to believe it, but this sweet little baby girl will be 2 tomorrow. We are waiting to celebrate until her Aunt Hannah is home.....hurry home Aunt Hannah!!

We have been lazy!! One of our favorite summer time hang-outs is, of course, Granny's house. What time we spend out of the pool is on Granny's porch swing. Lillie loves to swing, and often enjoys a little snooze on her favorite patio in the world. Aren't baby cries so sweet, I love this picture.

The rest of our time we spend hunting for fun things to do at our own home (after all Granny does need an occasional break, she's getting old - just kidding.) Today, Eli "helped" water the grass. I will spare you (and Eli) the picture of Eli doing what he considers "watering the grass"...those of you with boys will understand what I am saying.

Madison and her goggles...she loves these things, by the end of summer she is going to have permanent rings around her eyes.

And just a glimpse of Granny's backyard oasis. She is doing a little renovating, so there will be more pictures in a couple of weeks.

Clean Slate

This weekend we have the priviledge of helping transform a family's life, but transforming their home. This family has four young children and are desperately wanting a place their children can go to play. So, we will be doing an extreme makeover on their garage to provide the perfect playroom. I am so excited to see the results and am praying the impression it leaves on the lives of each individual in this family is eternal, reaching far past the physical make over of their home.

Boring is good

I was looking through my pictures tonight to see what I could post pictures of, and realized that we pretty much have not done anything for the last couple of weeks. I have to say, I don't mind one bit. I have started a new job in the Neonatal ICU that I am loving, and other than that we have just been savoring the last few days of school. This is the only picture I really liked...it is tough being a boy in a girly world. Yes, he did this himself (I was in the other room trying to keep Lillie out of the kitchen cupboard.) Happy Summer!!

She's Getting Married!!

My best friend is FINALLY getting married. And not only do I get to stand with her as she pledges herself to a wonderful man, she also asked me to take a few pictures of her and her man. We had such a great time at the park, and although this picture doesn't show their faces, it speaks volumes about who they are. Erin, James - I love you guys!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Here is a really short video of Lillie singing her favorite song. She realizes pretty quick that the camera is on her and starts acting silly, but one day I will catch the whole song....she is growing up so quick.

Just Because We Could

Thank goodness for a break in the rain. Yesterday we went to Granny and Grumpy's house to celebrate no rain....they have the funnest back yard. Lucky for us, Grumpy has thousands of tadpoles on his pool cover, so it provided some great entertainment for the evening. Here is Madison fishing for tadpoles (we are thinking about signing her up to do some good ol' Oklahoma noodling this summer.)

Here is a sample of her catch. We had some great conversation about how tadpoles eventually become frogs. How thankful we are for a God that is wonderfully creative!!
Does any one else see mischief in this sweet little face???

Eli is Grumpy's big helper. And no, Grumpy doesn't do his yard work in only his underwear.