VBS

It's hard to believe that our little Parky J is old enough to go to Vacation Bible School, but he is! He's been having an awesome time there at the First Baptist Church learning about Jesus and hanging out with his best bud and dude "Chubs". We haven't been able to get any good pictures of Parker in his class or practicing the songs or anything. These are the only one we've captured.

Like Silas Like Papa

Today Silas Benjamin is dressed like his Papa.

Happy 4th of July

Last night consisted of a lot of sugar and 3 raging 3 & 4 year olds! Chris, the boys, Nick, Jessica, Myles, Ricky, Keri, Chubs, Dustin and I went out to Ojai to watch the fireworks and let the kids rage. It was a nightmare getting there because I wasn't prepared with directions, but once we were there it was fun. Parker kept saying "oh my best good guys" aka Chubs and Myles. He couldn't have asked for a better time. While the big guys played frisbee Chris and Nick managed to pull a classic "Jenkins" and step in a huge pile of dog poop. It was awesome! We ate chili, cornbread, chips and candy while Uncle Nick hooked the kids up with some glow sticks (they were a HIT), and Chubs told an awesome knock knock joke. So while we we never did find the infamous dirt field that the rest of our friends were at we did enjoy the grass at the Catholic church. Thanks guys for enduring the funky directions and raging with us til 10 something at night. We love you guys! To everyone else we hope you guys had an awesome 4th of July and would recommend you all watch the John Adams series from HBO (it's at your local video store) it's awesome!

Sweet New Ride

Our apartment laundry room is host to some shelves of give away items. Usually crap! The other day there was a large wooden Catholic Jesus (wall decor?), there's usually ancient magazines, and right now I think there's a awful set of place mats. But much to my excitement last week was an awesome skateboard! Parker has been asking us for a skateboard for weeks! You can't imagine the look on his face when he walked in and saw it! Then as he rode it all the way back to our place he yelled out "thank you neighbor!!!! I get to keep it now!!!!" I really hope someone didn't want it and it wasn't a vicious act of an angry girlfriend or something. Either way it's Parker's! Chris asked him tonight to show the camera some moves and here's what we got...

Pastor Jim

The well off and established sometimes usher in midlife with a shiny red Corvette, or perhaps a Hummer, or even the all to rare Dodge Viper. Those not as financially free seem to make due with a Nissan Z or a used convertible Mazda Miata.
But not in the case of Pastor Jim Blythe, my father in law. Nope...he got himself TATTOOED instead! And in the true "all or nothing" spirit, chose to get them smack dab on his inner forearms! Grace and Truth inked in for all to gander. You have to see it to believe it. I love you Jim...you're pretty dang cool.

Note: Pastor Jim loves the Lord with all his heart and loves to see the lost come to know HIM. That is the true reason for the tattoos...not necassarily his midlife status.

Silly Dudes

These guys are too much! Silas has recently been obsessed with these Shrek ears and Parker with Mr. Potato head mustaches (maybe from Chris' foul display the other day). These guys always keep me laughing... even when they are naughty and dump out all their toy boxes and fuss at me all day they still manage to crack me up!

Our Niece Jenna

Last week Chris and I had the joy of having another girl in the house... our niece Jenna (Micah & Stephanie's daughter). She is 9 and FULL of life! She's funny, cute and come to find out gets REALLY wacky with sugar after hours!!! We went to the beach, scrap booked, did hair and make up, took pictures, watched a lot of Pee Wee Herman, and went to the zoo where she fed the giraffes. This is one special girl. Here are some pictures of our awesome visit.