Category Archives: Family Fun
Nathan’s Summer Construction 2018
Marshmallows and Bamboo Skewers
Reblog: Kids and Video Games
Find Tim Challies blog here.
Wickenburg, AZ (in the rain)
Last Saturday the kids and I did a day trip to Wickenburg, AZ. I had only ever been there one time before and that was maybe 15 years ago. It is a rather small town with a western feel about an hour north east of Phoenix. They have an excellent Western museum in their down town shopping area. I enjoyed it very much. There were quilts on display (always a favorite), lots of western art including paintings, pencil drawings, sculptures, the history of the saddle and many examples of the progression through time and in the lower floor a diorama of an old western town. I liked the almost 4 foot cowboy boot. It was a nice way to celebrate my birthday with my kids.
July in Phoenix
Clouds rolled in on Friday and as I said good bye to Nathan I noticed this beautiful view from our side yard. This is where we will sit to watch fireworks in a couple days. It’s hot here but there is beauty in all things if we can just find it.
More Quilt Show Pictures
Here are more pictures from the PAQA show from a couple weeks ago. The ladies did a small 20″ x 20″ quilt challenge and here are some of my favorite:
Play
Reblog: Inside Out: Lessons in Sadness, Sonship, and Prodigals
By: Winston Smith
of CCEF
I really enjoyed the new movie Inside Out. I confess that I assumed that it was simply a movie dealing in emotional stereotypes, which is what I saw featured in the previews. But while emotions do play a major role, the movie is about much more than that. Inside Out invites us to not only have a more nuanced understanding of emotions but to appreciate them in the context of personal growth, the nature of relationships, and the purposes of family. As a Christian, I found it especially thought provoking….
Read the rest here.
***Beth’s comments: The kids and I really enjoyed this movie. It is very heart moving and educational for those of us who have been restrained by others in the area of our emotions.
Reblog: Lighten Up, Christians: God Loves a Good Time
by N.D. Wilson/ May 7, 2014
We Christians are the speakers of light. We are the proclaimers of joy. Wherever we go, we are the mascots of the gospel, the imagers of the infinitely creative Father, and the younger brothers and sisters of the humbled and triumphant Word. We speak in this world on behalf of the One who made up lightning and snowflakes and eggs.
Or so we say.
Saying things is easy. Meaning them—in the realm of will and emotions—is harder…
read the rest here.
Gingerbread Houses 2013
Here is the lobby of the JM Marriott Resort at Desert Ridge.
The bases of the houses were 4’x6′. The entire display took 17 pastry chefs 45 days to complete.
Our neighbor, Judy and the girls posing in front of the huge Christmas trees.
They used 4,000 pounds of gingerbread dough, 25,000 eggs and 2,000 pounds of icing.
It will be fun to see what they do next year! Merry Christmas! Everyone!
Merry Christmas 2013
This year I celebrated a Charlie Brown Christmas. It was fun remembering things from my childhood, Charlie Brown being one. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and remember the answer to Charlie Brown’s question, “What is Christmas is all about anyways?”
Linus answers, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”[3
Luke 2:8-14
Playing Games
Jamie and Nathan like Jr. Monopoly. Nathan already wants to be banker.
Christmas Lights in Phoenix
This years light display travels took us to the Princess Resort, we were not disappointed.
more lights…
While waiting to ride the train through the festive grounds we were snowed upon by the snow machine. It was about 65* at the time.
This 4 story tree blinked on and off with the rhythms of the Christmas music. The colors changed and the snowflakes lit up. What a sight!
Operation Christmas Child
Nathan and I had fun filling this shoe box for a little boy over seas. Operation Christmas Child is a great opportunity to share God’s love and Samaritan’s Purse makes it easy to participate.
Musical Instrument Museum Field Trip
Jamie, Nathan and I visited the MIM last week. (I had a good friend slip me free passes to this wonderful museum) I not sure that museum is the right word for it, although it has historic items. I loved the interactive video and headsets we received at the entrance. We viewed instruments, costumes, audio and videos from all over the world experiencing the sounds of all different cultures and the music they love. There was a fun exhibit showing how a piano is made and how it works and a great hands on room where kids of all ages can bang a huge gong, strum guitars, and sit and play a real harp. We had a lot of fun, my only regret was that I forgot my camera, urggg!
You can check out their website here.
Just A Bit of This and That 