Family Pictures

We had some family pictures taken this spring at a historic home in Roswell, GA.  It was a fun hour and we really got some great pictures.  I know they are already a few months old, but better late than never....

It's T-Ball Time

Jackson had his first t-ball game today.  He loved it.  He really paid attention in the field and fielded about 1/2 of all the hits, no matter where on the field :)  He batted twice, once he hit the ball that was pitched to him and the second at bat he hit from the tee. 

It was so neat to watch him enjoy it and laugh with his teammates.

Homeschool Science

We spent a few hours today building a telegraph with another family.  It is amazing what you can do with some old Christmas lights, wire scraps, cardboard, aluminum pie pan, duct tape, a battery, a paperclip, and a buzzer from Radio Shack.  It was a good first effort, worked great...next try will be longer wire so we can send messages from room to room instead of across the table.

White Georgia Christmas

For the first time in 148 years we have measurable snow on Christmas in Georgia!!!

We didn't wake up to snow, but shortly after we started tearing into the presents, the snow started falling and it hasn't let up yet.  We have had a great couple of days just being together as a family of 6 (plus Duke).  The kids are busy putting together their new Lego sets, but are itching to go outside and play in the snow. 

Jackson baked the first official batch of Christmas cookies with mom...special time together.

Geneva and Maddox played "Wild Things" together for an entire day...the costumes really fit their personalities.

We built our gingerbread house 2 days ago and we can't believe it has most of the candy on it still.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Big Family Trip

When Keri's brother, Peter, and his wife found out they were going to be stationed in Hawaii, plans were immediately made for a grand adventure...the only kind of vacations the Shenk Clan ever take.  So, for 2 weeks over Thanksgiving, our family, Keri's parents, Keri's other brother's family decended upon Oahu.  We swam, surfed, snorkeling, kayaked, scuba-ed, hiked, shopped and went nonstop for 13 days.  It was a total blast and thanks to the awesome hositality of Peter and Kimberly, the trip was fantastic.  The kids keep asking when we get to go back...they don't realize how long it takes to save up that many frequent flyer miles.  We hope to go back someday, but for now the memories are still fresh and the tan lines there (but fading). 

Our 1st turns 9!!!

The time warp must have transported us from 2001 to 2010 as Emma turned 9 in November and we have no idea what happened to the last 9 years of our lives.  It can only be that or sleep-debt.  She has really grown up over the last year.  She decided on a sleepover birthday party and thus chose to have a "bed" cake.

All the girls had a blast and we got some sleep...all turned out well!

Geneva's Birthday

2 birthdays in October sometimes means 2 blog posts close together. 

Yesterday was Geneva's 7th birthday and, boy has 7 years gone by fast!  She had a few (19) friends over for a "Spy" birthday party. We decoded a secret message, made wrist communicators, navigated an obstacle course, and each received a "Secret Agent" ID card with picture and thumbprint.  The cake was a "special mission" to complete because when you think of spies, no certain cake came to mind.  We settled for a magnifying glass showing a thumbprint, a time bomb and some mini bombs. 

She had a fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves...that was what counted.