Austin Classical Semester Program

To wrap up the first semester (ever!) of Austin Classical School, the kids performed a program highlighting all that they had learned this semester. It was heart-warming to watch and included: memorization of Exodus 20:1-12 (10 commandments), time lines, books of the Old Testament, the Lord's Prayer in Latin, sentence diagramming from Shurley Grammar and catechisms. What I have loved about this year has been the fact that Alivia and Will see one another throughout the day (at gym, lunch and recess) and know one another's friends. The entire school only has 13 students! There are 10 families. We are blessed to be there and look forward to many more years to come.

The entire school!

Our fearless Head of School, Dusty Kinslow - she is great

Time line starting with Adam and Eve. Each child memorized a paragraph about their poster board.

Alivia, Bailey Mezger and Anna Kinslow

Will with his poster

John cannot WAIT to join his older brother and sister at ACS

Alivia's best friend, Anna Kinslow

School pics!

John and Matthew have been attending a new preschool closer to our house this year. It is called Covenant United Methodist (CUMC) Preschool. I have absolutely loved it. Just the fact I can get there in 5 minutes has made my life so much easier. And that I do not have to co-op. . . Here are their school pictures from this year.

Photo Shoot with JillBee

Every year I book my friend Jill Baumhover to take our annual Christmas card photo. She does an amazing job every time. This year was no exception. I really don't know how she does it because Matthew was being a big stinker and was exceptionally uncooperative that day which always adds a huge element of stress to the process. I'm so thankful I have such a talented friend who can capture my kids so well. Thanks Jill!

This about sums up how Matthew felt about the photo shoot - stinker!

John's expression is hilarious in this one

Love that Matt and I got one together

Precious! This captures him perfectly

I just cannot believe how big she is getting

My joyful third child

My oldest boy - sometimes I think he knows what a burden this can be

Laity Lodge Family Camp

This was the first year we headed to the new LLFC at Headwaters. WOW. It is an amazing facility. Gone are the days of plastic mattresses on bunk beds - hello beautiful cabins with separate bathrooms for parents and kids. They thought of every detail.

The weekend was so fun - we went with the Trusses, the Schoolers, the Frenches and the Zimels. The kids had a blast. We are already hoping we can go for a 4 day adventure in March but are on the waiting list because they are already full. We love LLFC!

The drive through the river is always so fun

The cabins were beautiful - every detail was thought of

A view from our cabin

John sitting on our cabin porch

We didn't bring Matthew this year - maybe in another year or so !

Will loved this three-wheeler! He rode it all weekend on the numerous sidewalks

Awesome playscape and sandbox that was a highlight for John

The girls - minus Christy Schooler
L->R Amber-Rose, Sarah, me, Kim

John in his element

Beautiful dining room - we ate on the back porch because the weather was beautiful

Adam and Amber-Rose Zimel

The Risingers!

Rob and Kim Truss

The suspension bridge over the water was amazing - the water is so beautiful

The waterfront with a slide and swimming area - awesome!

Carving pumpkins

Will loved using a hammer to put nails into his pumpkin

Our group! We have 2, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kids between us = 16 kids!

Matt's best friends - Ryan Schooler and Rob Truss

Our family shot - I think I look so awkward - why am I sitting so far ahead of everyone else?

Christy and Ryan on the suspension bridge

Amber Rose brought her mom, Carolyn along - the Trusses are missing from this pic

We attempted to get every family on the bridge for a cool shot - here are the Trusses

The Frenches

The Schoolers

And then US! Wow, we could not pull it off - hilarious. Matt and I were laughing so hard and the kids were screaming

The Zimels - minus Samuel who stayed in Austin to play a football game

My Girls!

ALL the girls!

All the hubbies

All the boys