"We Are Family"

Thank-you to my tech support, Josh, for spending that "few minutes" figuring out how to put music on my blog...it makes it a bit more cheery, I think!

Lots is happening in Pirtle world right now....busy, busy, busy.

1. We are preparing for another long, long, journey to see family during just about the entire month of April. The kids are THRILLED to get to see everyone again.

2. Cameron is proud of his pinewood derby car he and (mostly) his Dad made for Scouts. It is orange, of course. It was fun to see Tony get so into this. At the Derby, you could tell which ones the kids made and which ones the Dads made....it was quite funny. Cam's was somewhere in the middle and they both did work on it.

His is the orange one in the middle.

Here he is observing...the lonely homeschooled kid :-)

He is very proud...not even acting a bit silly...these races are a VERY serious event...for those of you who aren't familiar with Scouting.

Holly was taking the event very seriously as well...here she is, as cars race and fates are determined, cleaning out her toe jam just for the occasion.

3. Science, as always, is fun. Here is the homemade bottle rocket Cam made....with no help from any adults (if you could see it closer you could tell.) We launched it in the March snow....OK, we're kind of over the snow now!

4. And last but not least...we are very proud of Aub. She wanted to race this year in the annual ski race at our ski area. Last year she won 3rd place and this year she won 2nd place. Next year she says she will get 1st. She was very proud. Here she is up on top getting ready for her turn. By the way, this is where we LIVE...we are NOT on vacation...isn't it gorgeous?

Our Family Away from Family

I just wanted to blog in tribute to those who surround us who make up for the fact that we have no biological family here in Cache Valley. God has blessed us immensely with a small but loving body of believers who are very supportive and giving.

Josh and Susan decided on Valentine's Day to surprise us and let Tony and I go out on a real date all alone while they took the kids ice skating. They are always looking for ways to show support and love for our children and, needless to say, our kids adore the two of them. Holly even wants to marry Josh someday (I'm pretty sure he'll still be taken.) Tony and I were very touched that they were willing to give up their time together on Valentine's Day and spend it with our children.

As a homeschool mother of 4 there is nothing you appreciate more than a little help in the academic department with your kids. Science is not my forte, however, I have children who now live for it. Heath and Kendra VOLUNTEERED to teach the kids science on a regular basis. They have made it so fun for the kids and they have all learned a ton. Heath and Kendra have learned also...they are sure they only want to have 2 children, NOT 4! The kids all think the two of them have the answer to any question a person could conjure up in their mind. Here are some pictures Kendra took of our journey to academic excellence:

This is one of our first lessons on static electricity. Cameron is quite proud of his accomplishment with the orange balloon.

This is Heath electricuting the girls with electricity they produced with a simple lemon.

Here are the kids testing the reentry of a rocket onto the earth with a parachute. If you could see Heath's face, you would see anticipation...he was a bit skeptical as to whether or not this was going to work. The kids are building their own devices this week to try out on a poor defenseless egg.

Here is Cameron receiving his first "Bear Scouts" award at a banquet. If you'll notice in the video...none of us are there. Tony and I had made plans for this night months before this so the Schadeggs went with him to support him. Josh and Susan were there earlier that night as well. It is truly immeasureable the blessing the Shadegg family is to us. We are grateful to have them in our life.

I am grateful that God has provided a family for His children outside our "family" as a source of love and support. These are just a few examples of how blessed we are. There are many families here who we are blessed to have in our lives.

"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:14-15

We are grateful and we do love you all.