Family Fun II

We've had so many family fun adventures, where to start?!?

On Thursday night the whole family went to violin. I loved sitting next to Joe (or playing on the floor with Abbie and Thomas) while listening to Jonathan play with the group. He was so eager to get called to introduce a song so that he could be the person all the others watched for cues. I'm so glad to see that, it's wonderful to see him participate with such excitement.

Last Saturday Jonathan played in his first solo recital. Grandpa and Mutti Hinrichs were able to come and listen. He played so well. He was glowing when he finished. He walked straight down the aisle into Grandpa Tom's arms. Thank you Auntie Melodie for teaching him before you left for Albania! You would have been proud of your little student! ;)

Friday of this week was a whirlwind day. Cleaning, reading, building, cooking, shopping, baking, eating, swinging, packing, leaving... We were going to watch a musical that Colin was in, "Frog and Toad All Year." After the show we were going to spend the night at my mom and dad's. The preparation was well worth it! We had such a ball watching the play, especially the snail (Colin)!!! The songs were toe-tapping fun the entire time. We find that we are singing various songs all throughout the day (and night).

Breakfast at my mom and dad's was very special. Chris was able to come and we celebrated his 31. Samantha, our niece, was as eager as ever to hold Elizabeth. She is a perfect little mother to all her younger cousins and Auntie. :) Our time is usually so full that we don't get to sit and linger, but Saturday we were able to linger over food preparation and waffles. After breakfast we were all able to sit and talk and laugh in the living room. How very special it was to be together.

We went to a lunch at Mrs. Poole's for the White Fields committee meeting. It was fun to see the committee members and chase all the kids on the hill. There have been so many positive improvements in White Fields and what a delight to hear about God's blessing such a special ministry.

We left the lunch at 3:30 and felt extremely tired but it was too late to put anyone down for naps, so we went to Lindo Lake. What fun! We were able to see goslings, a ducks nest, and a gopher digging his hole. The kids had a blast skipping rocks and I nursed Lizzie. After a while we went to the play structure and Joe and I just sat while the children zipped around.

We had dinner at home and then put the children to bed by 7:30, they went right to sleep. Joe and I had a delicious time talking while we unpacked and washed the dishes. Then we just sat and just "were" together. I forgot, Thomas and Elizabeth were up still, but they just enhanced the enjoyment of being together.

Jonathan woke up sick at 3:00 so he, and Thomas, and Elizabeth, and I stayed home from church today. We listened to a sermon online and took notes together.

Joe is starting a week of vacation. He is always such a diligent worker and I hope we are able to have a lot of long lingering times together. I am really looking forward to this time with him!!!