My Girl

I love afternoons when I get to snuggle with my girl and read a story.

I blinked and she's so big!  

But, just like when she was 5, her favorite thing to do is read with Mama.

September/October Happenings

Taking advantage of all the trails we have close by 

 Slowing tearing our kitchen apart and putting it back together. 

Butcher block counters and farmhouse sink

Some fresh, fun tile for the floors

Enjoying the last of the summer flower garden 

Bringing school to the beach because it's still HOT!

Enjoying all the days with our old lady pup.  

Not sure how many more we will have with our Zoe girl.

Sweet visit with some precious Kazakhstan friends!  

So special to see them on this side of the world.

Swinging in the yard and kissing sweet four year old faces.

Goodbye Summer

Welcome Fall...we are ready for ya.

Game Time

Two intense games going on...

Brothers playing checkers and playoff baseball in the background.  

So fun! 

From the garden and the grove

We are starting to figure out these macadamia nut trees! 
Finally!

The result has been, several batches of white chocolate chip, macadamia nut cookies. 

Persimmons ripening

My picky eaters are far less picky after all the excitment of watching fruit grow and picking it themselves.

Pomegranate smoothies

We are learning that each tree and each grove are different.  

We are studying ours and experimenting with when to harvest.

These guys have macadamia nut picking down. 

It's been a fun week here, watching the fruit and flowers begin to change with the new season. 

Simple Joys

Watching him swing ALL day.

Humble harvests

Making play-dough

Porch talks

Cardboard box slide (thank you kitchen renovation)

Birthday dessert

Tucking them in bed

Uniforms

Puppies

Fall candle making

Backyard hiking with Mimi

Watching her, and all of them, contribute and make our family work. 

I love this sweet life and it's simple joys

Happy Birthday Ava

Happy Birthday Ava! 

You are our special girl in so many ways but mostly because you are loved by God and created in his image for a great purpose!

You have a beautiful smile, and you give the best hugs.

We are your biggest fans and we LOVE YOU!

We thank Jesus for sovereignly placing your in our arms...half way around the world...in a way I could have never dreamed of. 

Happy Birthday Darling

Pomegranate

Our first little harvest of pomegranate!

So sweet and delicious

So rewarding to pick it from the back yard and enjoy it at the table!