Trinity Lutheran Church

I have been taking a 10 week basic class at church to become a member of Trinity. It was an interesting class since I was born and raised Lutheran it was a good refresher course of what it's all about. Jon took a majority of the classes with me so he can hear what it's all about since this is the church that his children are being raised in. We had a lot of great theological discussions about it. It's hard when two people get together and their religions are different but in the end it's really all about Jesus. Today the girls and I got up in front of the congregation and were introduced as new members with about 10 others. I am happy to now be a member. I find it so amazing that I fell away from the church for awhile even tried a couple different churches but in the end I went back to what I truly believed in. Once I had kids I realized the importance of being involved in church. My parents did their best at taking me every Sunday, with Sunday school then confirmation. I am hoping that my kids will enjoy it as much as I did.

weekend getaway

Thursday Jon and I headed up to the Bay Area for a couple nights without the kiddos. He still has a couple free tickets on Southwest and I still have a companion pass...so it was a very cheap trip (Thanks to the PateS, especially Jack for his room and Sarah for her car!) I am so ready for one of us to get a job so we dont have to be so cheap, not that we wouldnt have stayed with them anyways! I desperately needed my hair done and since Michelle is the only one who has touched my hair since 1994 we left the kids in the good hands of my mom and Alyssa!! I so believe in these little trips away form the kids. It usually recharges me and I feel like I am such a better parent when I get back. This trip I felt like it needed to be another day longer though. The kids just dont listen to me and it completely drive me nuts. After church today I left Jon at home to watch football and the kids and I spent the day with Namy at her RV. The kids were not on their best behavior. When I got back we all ate dinner and I headed upstairs to take a long bath and relax with the door locked! I got up to help put them to bed so hopefully tomorrow I will be recharged enough to be a good mother!

from Jon

Being a Dad to daughters is not always full of praise... (Me hugging Courtney and Whisper in her ear) "I Love you so Much" (Courtney, Whispering in my ear) " I Like you a little". at least she made me laugh.

trinity trike a thon

Today was the trike-a-thon at Trinity. It seems like every other week it's some sort of fund raising for either Trinity School, Dreaming Summit Elementary or my Mops group. Crazy! For $5 bucks each the grils got their picture taken with the Trinity Tiger! It's all for a good cause...and they sure are cute!

School Pictures!

Samantha

Courtney

Sydney

the Thanksgiving show at TLC

The twinks had their thanksgiving show and party and at preschool this morning. Dumb me set up an interview for a job at the same time so I missed it. Jon recorded a bit of it for me (and you.) (I did get the job but I will know more next week about when I start etc.)

Hodges fall 2010 visit!

Julie, Taylor & Dominic showed up Wednesday a little later then they expected...darn airplane delays! We were so excited for their 3rd annual visit!

They all tried to sleep upstairs in the loft. Courtney fell asleep early but after I took this picture she did wake up and join them!

Thursday we we hung out at the house for a bit then we headed to the Dollar Tree for treats from Taylor and Dom's Grandma. She misses the girls. After that we headed over to Oasis Gym for some open gym time! Good times!!

Taylor

Courtney

Samantha

On Friday I kept the kids out of school to play. We packed a yummy lunch and headed over to the White tanks for a fun hike. It was the longest hike my kids have been on. 2 miles round trip! Courtney and Dominic both wanted to be carried back but the other 3 were troopers!

Alyssa joined us too!

Dominic kept asking the girls to hold their hand...Courtney always did but Sydney didnt want anything to do with that!

the motley group!

Julie, me and our kids!

Best Friends!

Sydney

Dominic

The hike we went on was the Waterfall hike but as you can see the waterfall wasnt...It was just a little pool of water!
The Howe family!

thankfully that big rock didnt fall on them!

after the hike it was pool time...Jon did try and heat the pool up but it only got to 79* so the kids pretty much stayed in the hot tub!

best friends forever!

Girls night!

Kim and Amy

Julie and me! Man I miss living near her!!

Looks like Julie drank a little to much (I was the driver)

Saturday we took them to Sam's soccer game and then to Olive Garden for a yummy lunch! Always sad to see them go...