4th of July Advetures

Every Fourth of July we head to Cascade to celebrate and enjoy this beautiful country.  This year we met GG, Papa and Muma for a wonderful weekend of fishing, hiking, eating and some serious game playing!! 

Then we finished up the weekend with tri-tip at Diana & Jared's, swimming at Asumendi's, and banana splits and fireworks at Wela's house.  Phew!!  Then the next day we slept in . . . .

This family picture was taken in Cascade on our hike.  Notice all the walking sticks.

yummmm . . .
Matt & Papa the best teriyaki chicken ever!  They were a 10 out of 10!!!

This pretty lady is my Wela (grandmother) and joined us in the partying. 

We got to enjoy Doug's fishing boat over the weekend. 

How many Larzeliers can you fit on a cot? 

Blessings Continued ~

Education
I am so thankful that we can broaden our minds, yet I always try to remember this:  Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.  ~ Oscar Wilde

Cousins
These two can really brawl, but they can really love too. 



Hard Work
Learn early to love work and it's fruit, and life will be easier.  I think this boy has found that love and will forever have a hammer in his hand.



I Want You!!
Music to my ears  :-) 

Pets
Oh boy!  Someday when this fury friend goes to the Great Dog Park in the Sky, this household will be devastated.  Delilah is the loyal doggy who waits by the bathroom door for the kids potty trips in the middle of the night.  Can you say dedicated?  I don't even do that.  :-)

Boys and Their Mamas
Do I even need to say anything?  I mean mamas of boys all over are just nodding their heads with a special smile for the wild, rough-and-tumble little boy who secretly needs kisses and hugs from his mama. 

Homemade Gifts
Belisia is so good about giving gifts from her heart.  She spends many hours on homemade gifts for her family and anyone special to her.  When in doubt of what to give, spend your time not your money. 



Daddies and Daughters
Or should I say "Disneyland Dad".  Dear old dad is the one who wrestles, practices whatever sport, teaches my little girls how to fight (grrr), organizes tricks to play on mom, etc, etc.  This crew has been very blessed with a daddy who only means business every once in a while.



Things I Love (Continued, Post 2)

This is a continuation of the post, Things I Love (see below).

#11 Bronco Football
Yes, we look forward to Fall for the
pumpkin pie, falling leaves, cool days, and Bronco Football!!

#12 Good Food
In-n-Out Burger is our very favorite hamburger joint. 
On our trip to Disneyland we drove far and wide, risked dangerous freeways and dangerous drivers (one was in our car) all in the hopes of sinking our teeth into an animal cheese burger . . . mmmmm!!

#13 Roller Coasters
This was taken at Disneyland on Thunder Railroad.  This crew was fearless!!  They thrived on the thrill of zooming around a track with their hands in the air . . . holding on is for wimps!!

#14 Puppies
Can you resist puppies?  Not me.  Is there anything better than a little boy taking a siesta with his puppy?

#15 Playing Pretend
When you pretend you can be anything you want!  Anything can happen! So, why do little boys always want to be the bad guys and cut your leg off? 

#16 Playgrounds
Playgrounds are wonderful for multiple reasons.  The kids love them and you can get them to do anything (i.e. house work, feed the animals, not fight, etc, etc.) to get to go!  Also, do you see a grown-up in that photo?  Nope, the kids just go play.

#17 Super Heroes
I love the freedom kids feel to do anything and be anything. 
Maybe this one should be titled Innocence.
(This is Sebi in his super hero outfit flying through the air.)

#18 Healthy, Strong Bodies
I am so grateful for the blessings of strong, healthy bodies.  We love to watch our kids play sports and enjoy playing a game every once in a while ourselves! 

#19 Funny Things Kids Say
Belisia just couldn't wait to go see Pip & Darryl (or Chip and Dale).  We all had a good belly laugh over that one!

#20 Cheese
I love all types and flavors of cheese, but I have to say this is my favorite kind! 
Say Cheese!

Things I Love

I was recently given a book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp, from my sister-in-law, Nicole.  I am only a few chapters in and have already felt a huge impact.  Her writing style is nothing  less than beautiful, so much so that I had to read it aloud.  I would recommend this book to everyone!  Voskamp challenges her readers to make a list (actually a list of 1000, but not sure if I'll do all 1000 on my blog) of their blessings/things they love, so here goes!  

#1 VACATIONS
Over spring break we went to Disneyland with
Diana, her girls and my mom . . . and had a blast!!




#2 Brown Eyes
Can you resist those eyes?  I can't!
I like the other colors too but somehow these girls can work magic with those things!



#3  Birthday Parties
We are so blessed to have a huge family so every birthday boy/girl can't help but feel so loved!!

#4  Colors
There are many blessings in this photo but the one I am thinking of is colors.  I am thankful that God gave us so many colors to enjoy . . . even if you put a lot of them on your face.  :-)

#5 Music
Ok, Band Hero on the wii might be a stretch when talking about music, but we are pretty proud of the music we make! 



#6 Friends
Every girl needs a group of friends like this!!!  Quite a few are missing from this picture, but each one is AWESOME and irreplaceable! 



#7 Forgiveness
This is a big one!  Can u imagine a life without forgiveness!  I am so thankful that I have been forgiven and that I can forgive with God's help!  All things can be forgiven and, as this photo shows, it sure feels good to let all the junk go!

#8  Little Sisters
What blessings little sisters are!  They never stop looking up to you.
Your reflection in their eyes is always a much better you!
Who wouldn't love that?



#9 Pull-Ups
I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but I am really thankful for pull-ups!  We are a family of small bladders, a house with 5 beds and only one washing machine . . . need i say more?




#10  Quiet Time
We all need time to ourselves. 
We all need time with God to refocus and reflect on our blessings.