3 Guys took 5 girls to 5 Guys

We have had a busy few days around here.  Our house has been bustling with guests.  Lots of fun for all.  Thursday evening Steve's brother Jeremy arrived.  He brought along our good friend, Teya.  She is a family friend who Claudia's age.  You may remember me posting about them in the fall when we took our trip to Iowa.  Anyway, the girls are having a great time together.  Last night we were all out and about and took a trip to 5 Guys.  Thankfully, our guests loved it as much as we do!

Worker Man

The view from here

I stand by this window many, many times during the day.  My mom recently made me some new curtains for my kitchen/dining room so now my window looks a bit more "spiffy".  That poinsettia has been hanging on for a long time...though after seeing this picture I decided it looked pretty wilted and it's now in the trash.  I also am loving my Valentines.

Valentine Party

This post is a little late!  The Friday before V-day we had a little party with some other friends who are homeschooled.  The kids all had much fun.

Does someone look a little guilty??  I caught her on the counter about to pounce on the candy hearts.  This happened long before the party was to start.

Boys against girls for this game.  The girls won by a landslide.

This was as close to a group shot as I got.  I forgot to take one.

The end of CA

It's about time that I get to the end of my pictures of my time in California!!  

Sweet little family.  This is Steve's youngest brother, Shawn and his fam.  Love these guys!!

Steve's mom's parents were also there to visit over the same time I was.  They stayed for a few weeks to get away from the Iowa cold.  It was really fun to have some time with them.  Here is a 4 generation picture.

The February birthday girls

Ok, these next few photos are a bit silly.  During one of my photo shoots with Ashley, we decided it was my turn to be in front of the camera.  Here I am attempting a jump shot.  I like to think that I was getting a little more air than this and that she was off on her timing.  I am getting old.  Who knows.

Me trying to show Ash how to "fake laugh" for a photo.  I was trying to get her to do it for a pic.  We both agreed I can pull it off pretty well.  Serious raw talent.

A few of my Alana outtakes

Who's responsible for this child?

The kids were out playing in the snow this afternoon (fully dressed in snow clothes, mind you).  I look out and this is how I see Greta.

Good-bye, Daddy

This morning we had to say good-bye to Steve.  He'll be gone all week with the other pastors for a class and a planning retreat.  He had them all lined up on the bar to give them one last talk, say good-bye, give them a piece of gum, and then pray with them.  Glad I captured this sweet moment.

I can be tempted in many ways while he is gone.  I used to really battle feeling sorry for myself.  Since that got me nowhere...fast...it has been helpful for me to see his times away as a unique opportunity to spend time with the kids at a different pace.  We did a little bit of school today but I spent the afternoon/evening doing things that I knew would be fun for them.  The girls have been begging me to dig out their spring/summer bins and go through them.  That's what we did, and then Greta and Aaron woke up and thought they needed to do it too.  Aaron was thrilled to see new flip flops and baseball t's.  Greta was in her glory as well.
Tonight for supper I let them each make their own pizza.  I think they tasted better to them that way.  After supper we watched American's Funniest Videos and now everyone is quiet and in bed.  It was fun to have a good first day with them.