The Hubert-Peoples-Pier Family Vacation Adventure ~ Part 2

We found several opportunities to cool off while the cousins were here. While the Pier kids were slashing in the water, Savannah was making sure she was protected from the UV rays. As Shauna pointed out on her blog, we were busy soaking in those UV rays to notice what Savannah was up to.




On Friday, the Piers and the Peoples (including 1 Hubert girl) took off toward Powell for Shauna's reunion. They were planning on staying at the Moeller's home where Jeanne was entertaining her granddaughter who happened to be Lindsay's age.


We continued to find ways to cool off in Casper. Savannah finds some shade in the front yard.



And she enjoyed playing in the sprinklers.

What a handsome boy!

While we were in Casper for the weekend, Lindsay had fun in Powell. She and Grace were two peas in a pod. They thought it was pretty cool that they were about the same age, same size, and had the same hairstyle.




More matching socks and matching braids.

They included themselves in a picture with Madison, hopefully not begrudgingly....

The Hubert-Peoples-Pier Family Vacation Adventure ~ Part 1

Just 1 day after returning from our Denver trip and then saying goodbye to the Laramie Hubert grandparents, my parents from Ohio arrived for a summer vacation that would involve several destinations and numerous little people. My sister Shauna arrived with her gang on Wednesday and it was constant excitement with 8 kids running around (that's a polite way of saying it was noisy)! UPDATE - Shauna is now my blog editor. She commented that there were only 8 kids here and that my mom was the photographer of Allie's picture below -- which makes sense since Shauna hasn't forwarded her pictures to me yet!

The trip came together to coordinate with Shauna's 20th high school reunion in Powell. She is the one that did most of the planning (insert huge thank you here! ) and there are MANY pictures to chronicle all the fun.


Park time -- forget the slides and monkey bars because the rocks are WAY more fun.



Jason is not so sure about sharing his mom's lap with another 2 year old.



Savannah, Grammy and Sarah.

We took in a couple of parks before our first leg of the trip to Yellowstone. Shauna and I enjoyed sitting in the sun while the kids tested all the pieces of playground equipment.

Someone please tell me this is not my Allie, my firstborn, my baby...what, she's almost a teenager??? Shauna actually took this and told Allie she looked like a model. Just as long as she doesn't have a "model attitude".

Too much sun and fun.

A Farewell Gift ~ after 95 years!

My Grandpa Helbert gave us a special gift, especially to my children, shortly before he died. That gift? The assurance that came from my mom that he was trusting in Christ, his Savior, for eternal life.

This was HUGE because for the last several years of his 95-year long life, my older three girls have been consistently praying for his salvation. They would even fill out their own prayer request sheets and give them to our pastor. For several years we thought he was just days from death, but the prayer was that he wouldn't die before trusting Christ.



Just a couple weeks before he passed on May 31, 2010 (Memorial Day) my mom had some good conversations with him. In fact, she felt assured that he had truly trusted in Christ. She told me that she was praying that if his place was secure in heaven that God would take him quickly. It does indeed appear that God answered that request.




After much thought and prayer between Phil and I, we decided that it was best if I fly out to Ohio for his funeral. My sister and her family drove from Maryland, and we all arrived in Ohio on Thursday, June 3.

Shauna, Grandma Ruth Helbert, my mom (Susan) and I at the funeral home the evening of the visitation. Shauna's kids were not as still for photo opportunities....

Carson, Jason and Madison (Number 4 on HIS way in January)

I got to meet my newest cousin Bryn (technically first cousin once removed...)

The funeral service was on Friday and my Grandma did a wonderful job.

The service at the cemetery was very moving as my Grandfather was honored as a United States of America Veteran for his service in World War II.

My Grandpa had been married prior to my Grandmother and had a daughter, Sandy, whom I had never met. In the recent years, she and my mom had begun correspondence and had recently visited him prior to his death. It was very neat to spend time with both her and her daughter Luann. I still chuckle when I think about the bird acupuncture story.....

I had to fly home on Saturday but was so thankful to be able to make the short trip back to Ohio to say goodbye on this earth to Grandpa Helbert, but "see ya soon" in the heaven!

Our Beautiful Quiver

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Happy Birthday Lindsay

This year our 3rd child, Lindsay Gabrielle, came within 1 year of being a decade old. That's 9 for those of you that don't to do math and read a blog at the same time.


She celebrated with an indoor swimming party, Applebees for dinner and a weekend of fun with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Wayne while Phil and I attended the annual Christian Home Educators Conference.


Happy Birthday Lindsay. We love you!


Free dessert at Applebees!




Blowing out her candles in the party room at the Aquatic Center.


Hanging with Grandpa Wayne.

(Hey Sandy, do you have any more pictures that you took this weekend?)

The man of the house

Most of my blogging is about the kiddos but every so often I have some random photos of Phil or I. Here are some various pictures with Phil featured in them both at work and at play.


Phil tackled a roof project. He tore it completely off and re-tarred, papered and shingled the roof to our deck. Allie was his apprentice.

Phil's mom, Jeannine, came into town and took us out to dinner. I thought this picture was very good of both of them.

Happy Father's Day to a terrific father!

Homeschool Track Meet

So........Allie was the one participating in the track meet but she was way out on the field. There was a special event for non-school aged kids and Tim eagerly signed up.


He stood in this stance for several minutes, never once taking his focus off the man with the whistle!

He was so excited...and pretty fast too.

Sweet Savannah was very proud of her big brother's first place finish.

Time for Tulips

Every year I get excited for my tulips to bloom because they brighten up the entire entry way.

Morning Hair

Savannah has got the wildest, most tangled hair when she wakes up. However as you can see, it just makes her that much cuter!

I'm back....and I've got pictures!

It's been awhile, but I am finally ready to get caught up on some serious blogging. I am hoping that with all the ground to cover, I'll be more selective and choose only the best photos.

Enjoy.


It's always fun to be outside in the Spring time sunshine. The "castle" park is a kid favorite.



Blake gets ready to give Tim a real "boy spin".



Savannah and Avry enjoy the slow-moving swing.

Tim and Zain blending into the grass nicely with their coordinating colors.

The Szymczak, Kuhnel and Hubert kids enjoying a picnic.

Soaring in Orlando

Soaring....as on roller coasters, that is. I just wish my cell phone hadn't soared out of its holder to an unknown destination! All is fixed now and it was a good reminder to the 8th grade girls that a lost cell phone is not the same as a lost limb.

Allie wanted to use her spending money on these fancy braids instead of Disney trinkets.

After a great day at Universal Studios the kids were treated to a Pirate Dinner Show.

Scoring Big in Orlando

The Heritage Music Festival awards were presented at the Wet and Wild water park. All participating singers in this festival enjoyed an afternoon of water rides before the BBQ and awards banquet.






Allie is patiently awaiting the results.



The anticipation grows.

The Casper Children's Chorale scored BIG with the judges. They received top awards and were extended an invite to Carnegie Hall in 2012. Time to start saving!!!


Two of the 8th grade boys accept 1 of the trophies for the group.



Our conductor, Marcia, sits surrounded by awards.



Back at the hotel, the group poses with their awards.

A close-up of my favorite singer in the group.