Eight

 Emma turned eight last Saturday.  She picked donuts from Long's Bakery for breakfast.  Here she is taking a very long time deciding on what to "wish" for, before she blows out her candles. After all, wishes only come once a year... :)  Emma loves to take her time, savor the moment, make decisions carefully, and eat sweets slowly (and/or save them). 

Below is one of my favorite pics of Emma from our trip to California last fall.  She looked "ballerina-like" with her fingers.  She dances through life, often jumping, twirling, and with hand motions to go along!

 The night before her birthday, the Oaks Academy had their Spring Fling.  Emma's class was to dress up like people from continents they have studied through the year.  Emma wore one of my outfits and bangles and went as an Indian girl.  I think she'd be pretty convincing, except for her blond hair and blue eyes! 

 Here she is trying out her new roller blades with her big brother in the alley.  She is a great sister to these boys, helping take care of the little ones, and going on adventures with her older one.  I love Emma's adventurous spirit.  When we were in Yosemite (photo below), she was often hiking ahead, looking for things along the trail.  She appreciates nature, pretty flowers, smells, and little treasures she finds along the way.

Emma, you are a treasure!  God has blessed you with the ability to care deeply for others, with a heart of justice and compassion, and with a fun-loving, adventurous spirit.  We thank Him for YOU! Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

One Decade

 Can't believe Clayton is 10 years old today!  Here he is for his birthday breakfast this morning.  Clay had a fun party last weekend with some great friends from school.  I laughed to see them all together-they are total BOY, goofy, mischievous, fun-loving, adventurous, and hilarious!  In the photo below, I did not ask them to do a "silly" picture, but this is how they posed. Sam, Aaron, Clay, Alex, and Atticus.

 

 Jeff took them to Holliday Park for a Treasure Hunt, complete with 9 poems Jeff had written. The boys had a blast figuring out the clues and then running to the next destination.

 Clay was "directing" the choir as we sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He asked for molten lava chocolate cakes, so that made the candles a bit of a challenge as they began to sink into the "lava."  He loved every minute of that party!

Clay is a great big brother to Emma and the boys, a hard worker, conscientious, responsible, and adventurous.  He loves to read and remembers all kinds of facts.  He asks good questions, like the other day, "Mom, how much does sin weigh?  Did you know that Jesus had the weight of the sins of everyone on Him when He died on the cross?  I bet each sin weighs at least a pound...That would be SO hard."  I love the way his mind works.

We're cheering you on, Clayton Scott, as you move into this next decade and your teenage years unfold! You're the BEST!

4 months

Chapman is becoming a happy, easy-going baby, after the first 12 weeks of being a fussy one.  He has big, bright blue eyes, and a huge smile.  We all love him so much!