Summer Days

Just a few pics of our summer adventures so far...

Farm Days:

Sports Camp Days:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? 

Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. 

They do it to get a crown that will not last 

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Slippin' Slide Days:

 Movie Days:

Rock Climbing Days:

  

School's Out for Summer!

We have been out of school for about a month or so now. And, I started out pretty dedicated to documenting our homeschooling. I fell behind in the blog world, for lots of reasons...

none of which could be I just didn't want to. 

Anyway, I am so glad our first year is behind us:

 We had ups, we had downs, we had not gonna do it days, don't want to stop days, days I wanted to pull my hair out and scream (I probably did scream), and days Jett wanted to pull his hair out and scream- and I think I remember a few times he did scream, too. We had lots of help from our families- which we couldn't have made it without. So thankful for their support and for friends that also homeschool. 

It's not easy. Sometimes it's not fun. 

 But, all in all I am glad we homeschooled this year. 

I loved the connections it created in our home, the amazing amount of information Jett, Mitch, and myself learned about one another, about this world, about our country, and about the God that created it.

We are even going to do it again. 

Classical Conversations is starting a campus in Yukon- such a blessing.
Jett will be a student, I am going to tutor.
Our church is even starting a PE class for homeschoolers. 

It is going to be a great year.

But before we think any more on the fall, I want to wrap up HS 2011-2012 with a few notes...

We did our own memory testing at the end of the year- 

Jett was able to recite all 24 weeks of History- starting with Columbus and ending in 2001, including the Preamble and the Bill of Rights. He knows 50 states and their capitals, 

can skip count 2's-12's, knows lots of anatomy, knows some chemistry, 

and can recite definitions of lots of parts of speech. 

We also learned a lot about telling time, money, measuring, inches, centimeters, addition, and subtraction. 

We read lots of books, Jett is reading better every day. 

He likes to sound out every single letter in a word- but somehow even with the letters that don't sound like we have learned he figures the word out- and each day is better. 

We found an online phonics program that correlates with our books and Jett loves it- 

we don't have to fight too much over phonics anymore! yeah! 

Our favorite book we read this year is too hard to pick. 

We loved Little House, Charlotte's Web, and we have just started The Boxcar Children- and it is great, too!

 I love that Jett likes to read - well likes for me to read to him. 

And the other day, he said, "I can't wait until I can read like a grown-up." me, too buddy:) 

We have come a long way in a year and

 I hope this summer is full of refreshing, relaxing, and wonderful memories...

Preamble Playtime

I caught Jett screaming out the Preamble as he was playing legos the other day. 

Made me smile. Made me proud. Had to post. 

Happy Fourth!

Kayaks and Canoes

A few weeks ago we headed to Lake Hefner for an evening float-

a family kayak adventure. 

I must admit, I was hesitant.

 If anyone is likely to tip over or have a crash, it would be me, seriously it's bound to happen. However, after getting used to my kayak, learning how to hold my paddle so as not to drench myself with every move, and gliding through the stickery bushes that jumped out of nowhere, I actually enjoyed myself. It was relaxing. The lake was beautiful. The weather perfect. Jett and Mitch were in a tandem boat paddling along by me... 

and, we can't wait to go back out. 

Spring Break 2012

This post is extremely way past due. 

My boys took their first real Boys Trip together over Spring Break. 

They went with friends to New Mexico caving. 

Jett and his friend, Jackson- I hear there were places even Jett was too small to crawl through, but this was a place his dad was too small to crawl through:)

Jett (and Mitch) both had an incredible time- they loved the caves, could not begin explain how awesome they were, or fathom how big- I mean HUGE, (as Jett would say) they were, 

 these two are just getting warmed up for cave exploring. 

They explored all through Carlsbad Caverns and another cave off the beaten path

all while camping out in 50 mph winds and rain and cold. 

Troy, Jett, Jackson, Lauren, and Chloe ready for more...

I stayed home in the warm and cozy house, working, and missing my boys. So thankful for an adventurous husband that loves his son so much and wants to explore the world with him... 

  

Mitch sent me this video one night- I think it is hilarious...

probably because I didn't have to sleep through it:)

Easter 2012

So late. I know. But, as always, better late than never...

We celebrated Easter with our families,

colored eggs, 

and remembered the sacrifice of Christ and the reason we have Easter.

Nothing fancy,

nothing extravagant,

nothing better...

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading...

1 Peter 1:3-4 

Baby Ben

Benjamin Lynn Elliott arrived on March 27, 2012. 

Jett is such a proud cousin. He loves baby Benji. 

We all do. 

What a blessing this fourth little Elliott boy is...

He is has the sweetest cry, the best mad faces. His cantankerous little spirit is adorable. When he's mad it just makes you want to kiss him more, which makes him more mad, and makes you giggle and kiss him more...he likes to suck on my shoulder and I let him. He is his own little old grumpy man. 

But the best old grumpy man you will ever meet... love you Benji.