Momma and April, "Bepo" as the kids call her, being silly in a picture to send to the fam in Cali.

"Look what I got!" (the police car from the Cars movie)

Jonah showing off what William and Heather got him (and he loves it!)--Mack from the Cars Movie.

Jon taking a break from dishes...

Nannie and Ava doing a puzzle "Nannie, you said I could do the inside!" while Bepo takes some pictures with her phone to send to family in California.

Poppop playing Tinker Toys with Jonah.

Jonah decided (about 3 months ago) that for his birthday he wanted to have a birthday party at a video arcade called Nickel Wunderland. Yesterday our friend Ian told Jon about a way better arcade called Ground Kontrol in Northwest Portland. To give you an idea of what's there, the newest game they have is the original Mortal Kombat (which we would never let him play, of course.)
So, today, Jon took him and his friend Aidan there for almost three hours, and spent nearly $20 in quarters. I keep having to remind myself that it's still cheaper than a party--and this boy loves video games. I still can't believe he's going to be SIX YEARS OLD in just two days.
Six years ago . . .

• I called my sisters crying because I thought I was going to be pregnant forever (it really does feel that way towards the end--all you moms know it's true).
• April left work early from Seattle and drove the three hours to cheer me up and keep me busy.
• JoAnna sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers ever.
• Jon took me and April to a movie (we all got car-sick during the movie--it was the genre of film, I think--and so we left early).

Six years ago . . .

• We went home and to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I walked on the treadmill for a while (I will get this baby out of me!!).
• I finally went to sleep, woke up early and went to the hospital (I wouldn't say we rushed--Jon did stop for some gas on the way at his station).
• Jonah was born at 12:15 Thanksgiving morning--at 10 lbs 5 ounces he was our turkey that holiday.

Six years ago. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Ava putting on her water wings--"they're wewwoh!"

Learning to swim with Dadda (look, no water wings!)

Going under!

Blowing the water out

Cute girl squinting the sunshine

Goofing off in the pool--it was so nice to get out of the rain and enjoy some sunshine. The kids played in the pool everyday and Jonah said "Mom, we need a swimming pool at our house." umm...

We just got home, and we had a great vacation in Scottsdale, Arizona! Check out all our pictures.

Jonah's teacher has a cute website with pictures of the kids on there--you might see one of the Joe (as we call him) and you can definately see his classroom and teacher. Mrs. Morris is so creative and has turned their whole classroom into a little town (called K-B Town), and every week they have a Mayor, a Weatherman, a Reporter, and a Worship Leader. It's very cute.

"All sin is certainly to be hated and abhorred where it is, but then we must set ourselves against sin as we do against sickness and diseases, by showing ourselves tender and compassionate to the sick and diseased."
-William Law, 18th Century Angelican writer.
This statement was sent to me by my friend Christy, and I love how it makes me think about whether I am truly compassionate and tender to those whom I would deem unfortunate (sick/diseased) or even those I would deem unworthy of my love (they have hurt me), or if when I immediately label them I am only being tender and compassionate to myself. It also makes me think about my sister April, who is so great at showing compassion, and has been a huge inspiration to me. I am so blessed.

Halloween! Ava, Paige, Makaena, and Jonah (Aidan went to get his shoes? Where's Aidan?) We had pizza together and then went to "Candyland" at Central Bible Church. We came home with lots of candy and Ava said, "See, I told ya--it's not a game!" (like the board game)

Jonah was Superman and Ava was a Western Cinderella!

Ava giving Dadda a big kiss.

Aidan the Ninja and Paige the Fairy Princess.

Jonah and Aidan with their game-faces on.

Baby Joshua (Shoo--ey for short) Durias, the little football player

Ava and Paigey being silly.

Makaena Marie Durias

Ava and her little friend Jolie.

Last night we hosted a Murder Mystery Dinner for 6 of our friends. It was super fun and may turn into a Halloween tradition in our home. These are our good friends Ian and Mindy Durias. Ian played the "Mummy of King Aldrinktodat" (hence the toast) and Mindy was Dr. Angela Deth, a deadly dentist. (I just realized I'm not in any of the below photos. I played Lizzy Bourdeax, whose fiance is the murder victim.)

Yes, that is Jon, and no, that is not a wig. My husband who, for the sake of the game (and the humor-factor) shaved his head and left only a ring around the base in order to look old and very creepy. He played "Dr. Hannibal Schlector", the world's only documented Kosher cannibal.

My sis April was a fortune teller named "Madame Aretha Garlique" (she turned out to be wearing fake garlic and was, in fact, a vampire!)

The Mummy saying hello to Balihi.

Elisha in full costume--check out the fingernails!

Our friends who brought he game over, Peter and Elisha Jenkins. He played sort of a Rogers and Hammerstein frankenstein named "Balihi" and she was "Glumda, the Wicked Witch of Depressed". They were amazing and Peter stayed in character ALL NIGHT, and kept the Billy-Bob teeth in even when others started to dismantle their costumes.

Towards the end of the evening the Mummy's linens had disappeared (all over the floor--haha)... Shown L-R: Ian, Ben Thomas (who played the "Prince of Dimness, Asthmadeus"), and Jon. It was so fun!

An increase of 1500% in 10 years...
That's an increase of Child Internet Pornography in the last 10 years. Please read the following quickly and go to the website to "light a candle"--it only takes about 10 seconds and will help eradicate this filthy industry. Thank you.

"The innocent victims of Internet child abuse cannot speak for themselves.
But you can.
With your help, we can eradicate this evil trade.
We do not need your money.
We need you to light a candle in support of these children.
We're aiming to light at least One Million Candles by December 31, 2006.
This petition will be used to encourage governments, politicians, financial institutions, payment organisations, Internet service providers, technology companies and law enforcement agencies to eradicate the commercial viability of online child abuse.
They have the power to work together. You have the power to get them to take action.
Please light your candle at lightamillioncandles.com or send an email of support to light@lightamillioncandles.com.
Together, we can destroy the commercial viability of Internet child abuse sites that are destroying the lives of innocent children."
Today we lit our candle.

Happy birthday Jon! To see our whole roll, click here.

Jon finally received his Corona pajamas (he's been asking for a year) and his Converse All-Stars. Unfortunately I looked at the size too quickly and picked up a box that said "Men's 10, Women's 12". Jon is a 12, but not a women's 12. Woopsie!

The anticipation is building . . .
"I love shoes! I really do!" 

In order of the "Creaming". Jon is anticipating it since Jonah yelled, "Yay! Pie in the face!" This is Jon's favorite birthday tradition that started when he was about 8 years old and has been continuing sporadically since. To quote Jon, "It's all the benefits of a mud bath, except I get to smell like banana cream." (which, incidentally, does not smell too good an hour later).


 

Jon turned 32 yesterday! Of course we had to celebrate with Banana Cream Pie in the face . . . 

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy . . .

Here it is . . . on exclusive engagement . . . the latest work by young author Jonah Brawley. Enjoy!

On a bright, sunny day Jack decided to go for a walk.

When Jack was going for a walk he . . . saw a tree that was on fire.

So Jack walked on. When he was walking he saw a hole. He wondered what was in it.

So Jack walked on. When he was walking he saw a...

Haunted House. So he walked on past the Haunted House...