Six Flags 2009

I mentioned in a previous post that we were able to get away a couple days last week to spend a day at Six Flags near Chicago. Hudson even got to go along this year, and he thought it was great. We listened to audio books in the car, which made the time go quickly. The only real disappointment of the whole trip was that we chose to stay at a brand new hotel, and weren't informed until we got there that the pool wasn't yet finished. The kids were kind of bummed, but didn't really make a fuss.




Shannon had a wisdom tooth start coming in a couple days before we left. By Tuesday, he was in a lot of pain. He didn't have as good a time as usual, but managed to keep up with everyone. He maxed out his limit of acetaminophin early in the day, but was able to get some ibuprofen to help with the pain.

My favorite pirates.

Jackson getting a happy text from Abbie.

What you get when you mix a gaggle of boys with an unlimited refill bucket of cotton candy.

Gettting wet on the log ride.

We entered the park at 10:15a.m., didn't get back to the van until 10:36p.m. Alex, Jackson and Chase were still waiting in line to get on one last ride. Hudson was asleep almost the instant he hit the carseat. It was a looong day for a little guy to be up and moving. We grabbed some McDonalds on the way back to the hotel, and we all fell asleep pretty quickly.

Shannon and I really enjoyed the time we got to spend with the entire family. We've had boys gone so much this summer, it was a blessing for us to have them all together.

"Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice." Proverbs 23:25

Treehouse

I don't know how we made it so long, with so many boys, without a treehouse. It finally occurred to us that we must surely be scarring our boys in some monumental way, so we headed to Lowe's and bought some lumber. With half a plan in mind, we picked a tree and got started building. I forgot to take pictures until after the floor was built, and the walls were going up.


Alex really took an interest in this project. He wasn't too excited about the bathroom, but grudgingly helped. He kind of hogged the power tools while building the treehouse. I was a bit bent out of shape at first, but after stepping back and realizing all of the underlying angst he must have because of such a long deprivation, pride swelled up inside of me and nearly brought a tear to my eye. My baby is finally catching the dream...

Hoisting the walls up. I'm so thankful I have strong boys to do the grunt work.

Securing the wall in place.


Testing it out for the first time.

The boys decided that it wasn't private enough, so we went back and filled in all of the open spaces in the walls. We've built a ladder, and a trap door. We're planning to counterweight the door so no little fingers (or heads) get squished. The jury is still out on what we're going to do about a roof. For now, they're able to lie back and enjoy the stars. Maybe we'll put a roof on next summer...or maybe not.

We got our inspiration for the treehouse plan from this book by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden. If you know a dad who wants to be even half as good a dad as Shannon is, you MUST get this book. It's chock full of information and just plain good ideas for dads and boys to do together. For around twenty bucks, it's a pretty sound investment.

"Through wisdom a house is build, and by understanding it is established;" Proverbs 24:3

Thankful Thursday

I have once again missed several installments of Thankful Thursday. It doesn't mean I haven't been thankful, it just means I haven't spent much time online this summer.

*I'm thankful for my family.

*I'm thankful that my cupboards are full of food.

*I'm thankful that my husband has the self-control to hold his tongue.

*I'm thankful that I was able to get rid of 9 big garbage bags of clothing to send to Kentucky.

*I'm thankful that I was able to fill 7 storage tubs with clothing for my children.

*I'm thankful that we are going to have the opportunity to spend a week at IRBC. No cooking for a week!

*I'm thankful that Jackson and Chase are able to be at IRBC this week, and pray that they will grow spiritually--and have a really fun time, too.

*I'm thankful that Alex is able to work at IRBC this week.

*I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we've been having the past couple days.

*I'm thankful Shannon was able to get a couple replacement keys for the tractor. I'm headed out to mow.

I will miss Thankful Thursday next week. The laptop is staying home. We'll be back on Friday.

"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." Proverbs 15:2

Happy Dreams

I wanted to get this posted quickly so it is recorded forever and ever and I won't forget about it.

This afternoon Hudson fell asleep next to me on my big, comfy, overstuffed chair and ottoman. He eventually moved his way off of my lap onto the ottoman as he slept.

Some babies have scary dreams and wake up crying. Not Hudson. He laughs in his sleep. He gets a big ol' grin on his face, and lets out a belly laugh. He does this during the night, too. He generally wakes up in a good mood. What a sweetie.

"He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he." Proverbs 16:20

Where has the time gone?

It's hard to believe it's almost the middle of July already. The summer just seems to be disappearing before our eyes.

June slipped by incredibly fast. Alex, Jackson and Chase spent a week at camp for Water and Work Week. The same day that was finished, they headed out for a two-week mission trip to Idaho. Shannon spent the first week with them, then flew home. The same week, Bryce spent a week in Clear Lake for Jr. Boys' Camp. The four littles and I spent a fun week together. Hunter, Karianne and Torie spent a couple days with us during the next week.

After being gone for three entire weeks, the big boys were ready to be home and take some time off. They were able to work their garbage route the first week home, but that will be the only one until August. We had a bunch of company at our home over the 4th of July weekend, and then planned a trip to Six Flags over Chicago the following week. I'll post a few pictures soon.

This morning Alex, Jackson and Chase again headed off to Clear Lake. Jack and Chase are camping, and Alex is working. We will all leave Saturday for a week of Family Camp. We'll be back the 24th (Chase's birthday), and then on the 27th Alex and Jack will head back to camp for another week. The following week, we have VBS at church and football camp starts. Summer is officially over at that point.

"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him." Proverbs 30:5