Pumpkin Patch, Take 1

We went for a quick trip to the pumpkin patch today. What a treat it was to have Uncle Dan come with us! Just a few shots of the boys:

My little pumpkins

Halloween Lifegroup

The Alcala's hosted our halloween lifegroup this year. Melissa planned all sorts of fun activities for the kiddos..it was so fun! Here is all our kids:

Liam, Emily, and Lachlan
Kathryn and Claire

My sweet Isaiah

Doughnut time!

Go Reef!

Happy kid!

Chris and Ellie

Parent's turn! HA!

Kathryn, Josh, me and Erin

Ashley and Mikey

Popcorn run

Cheese!

Wrap the mummy!

Thank you to the Alcala's for hosting such a fun night! And I'm so glad Chris, Ashley, Kristina and kids could join us too! We are so blessed by our church group!

Team S.A. Lewis to Ethopia

For about 8 weeks now Lauren, Erin and I have been training together to walk our first 1/2 marathon. Some wonderful friends of ours from church, Neil and Kathryn, are adopting a little boy from Ethiopia and there was no question that we wanted to help them in any way and be a part of their journey. So we walked about 3 days a week, increasing the distance each time. After the first training (I think we walked 3 miles) I thought there was no way I was gonna be able to do this! But as the weeks went on it got easier.
So the morning finally came, and I have to admit, I was a little nervous. Josh and I didn't take our phones so we were just going to rely on luck in finding our running/walking partners. Turned out there were alot more people there than we thought, so it was difficult finding our friends. After a prayer, the gun sounded and I had not found Lauren or Erin. Josh went ahead and I waited for about a minute and then started.

I was a bit upset, at first, that I was walking alone. I thought I would catch up to them, but when I saw Troy and Chris pass me I knew they had to be behind me. So I stopped and waited a few minutes. It was dark out when we started so it was a little hard to see. When it looked like most of the people had gone by, and I still hadn't seen them, I went ahead. I knew that we would find each other eventually. I walked about 6 miles alone when I saw Chris and Troy coming back around. Next, I saw Josh, and then I heard my name. I looked behind and, finally, it was Lauren and Erin! Turns out they waited for me at the starting line for 11 min! I felt terrible! We were all so happy to find each other. So we walked til mile 9 going at about a 15 min pace. Mile 9 was a HUGE hill so we slowed down some after that. I thought I was not going to make it at about mile 11, and good thing I had the girls pushing me, because I think I would have stopped. We finally rounded the last corner and when we saw our cars had been pulled up by the guys, we kicked it into high gear. We finished in 3 hr and 30 min (well, minus 11 min for Lauren and Erin)!

This was taken at the halfway mark, right after we all caught up to each other.

Neil and Kathryn

The guys were all waiting at the finish line for us and Josh had the camera out. Man, he knows me! I just got finished telling the girls that I hoped Josh would take our picture! After we fueled up on some fruit and water, we all went to the Gristmill for a nice lunch. What an experience! I can't wait to do another one! We love you Neil and Kathryn, and can't wait to meet your baby boy!

Family Retreat

Its that time again...and we decided that we would attend our family retreat with our church family this year. Our friends were encouraging us to go, and Isaiah was old enough that we thought he would sleep ok...we later ate our words! Anyway, this is a view of the camp from on top of the cliff. We had this long, steep drive down into the valley, through the river, to get to the cabins!

We had a bundle of activities to choose from...and the weather was absolutely beautiful!

It was so awesome that the Gibbins brought their bikes, and an extra for Ethan, because they were a hot commodity! Isaiah tried out the balance bike, but it didn't last for long.

Time to race...Reef has his game face on!

Isaiah preferred the plasma car.

Ethan had a blast riding the bike! I think its time to get one of his own...

Liam and Isaiah were buds throughout the weekend.

Lachlan

Time for a canoe ride!

And now lunchtime!

Late that afternoon we took a hike, being sure we chose one that it wasn't too strenuous for the kids.

Isaiah, Jonas, Ethan, Reef, and Jayden

Not all the kids wanted to brave the high branch, but we got a few to give it a shot.

Us with mom and dad at the talent show. It was a great show too, the best bit being Bruce's and Sharon's. After the show we went over to the big bonfire to sing. It had been a long day but we wanted the kids to experience that part, and I'm glad we did. Very uplifting and humbling, looking up at the millions of stars in the sky that God gave us, while singing praises to Him. It was beautiful.

After the bonfire, we put the kids to bed, and this time they all went down quickly because they were so worn out. We played games with the Gibbins, Hills, and Torres' and then hit the sack. We left the next morning after breakfast. What an experience. We can't wait til next year, and we might even forgo the cabin and brave it out in the big houses with everyone else (boys and girls separate of course). We'll have to see! God is good!

A New Chapter

This year is a special year for Josh...well, I guess it depends how you look at it! But, nonetheless, this is the year he turns the wonderful 30! I wanted to give him a party, something to make him feel special and loved. So we had a few friends over, ate a ton of food, and played some poker. Not everyone was into the poker so we had games going too...I promise I planned this for Josh and not for me!

Chris, Kyle, Cody, Josh, and Ryan

Lauren and Ashley wanted in on the action too...and they both ended up battling in the end. Thats right, they beat out ALL the men! Lauren ended up winning...and Josh still has a sore spot for how she took him out!
Ashley, Lauren, me, Shawna, and Jennifer

I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. I look forward to many, many more birthdays together! Happy Birthday!!