A Latte' good

Happy Birthday- Dance rendition

2007-09-01T09:28:00.000-04:00

The singing is no better- but it is more joyful. I think our trampoline has also inspired Evie with a new dance move...the bounce:>)

Happy Birthday Aunt a-becca

2007-09-01T08:58:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer: there is no correlation between the quality of the rendition and the joy felt on this auspicious occasion

The whole fam damily :>)

2007-05-24T21:44:00.001-04:00

IMG_1582.JPG
Originally uploaded by phillymasts

Levi survived his first vist from all his brothers and sisters...although Evie declared that he is "my baby". We all wondered how Evie would react, and it turns out she was more interested in washing her hands in the sink (which she did about 37 times) the in her new brother :>)

Eyes wide open

2007-05-24T10:32:00.001-04:00

Hi there...eyes open already
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Levi is looking across the room at his Mommy :>)

Welcome LEVI EMMETT

2007-05-24T10:31:00.001-04:00

so peaceful
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Levi came out screaming at 1:15 am on 5/24. He weighed 7 lbs. four oz....the same as his big brother Toby. He was soon fast asleep. Mom and baby are doing well.

Happy Birthday J-man

2007-04-13T00:31:00.001-04:00

josiah b-day 07 (63)
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Is this a FUMBLE? A scrum? An accident? No...just Josiah's 5th birthday party. Somehow the boys always end up in a pile:>) Click on the pic to see the full set.

josiah b-day 07 (75)
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Our little bunny

2007-04-05T22:43:00.000-04:00

ZOO 4-07 (2)
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

We had an awesome trip to the zoo this week. Maddie was determined to spend her money (as usual) on facepainting....and here is the result. We got to ride the zoo balloon for the first time as well which was really cool.

Happy Birthday Evie

2007-03-31T00:57:00.000-04:00

Just what I wanted
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Evelina had a great time at her 2nd Birthday party. She was very happy that Uncle Chad and Aunt Jamie could be there from Texas...and both Mom-mom's too.

Cushion Jumping Touchdown

2007-03-03T08:49:00.000-05:00

Some cold weather fun with the kiddos....just have to be careful on that landing. Little Ya Ya (Evie's name for Josiah) can really fly!

The cushions on our craig's list couch have become the most used toy in the house :>)

Baby 5- Oh my goodness!

2006-11-20T22:29:00.000-05:00

Baby 5- Oh my goodness!
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Wow...and we thought life was crazy with four :>)

Trick :>) or treat

2006-11-03T23:44:00.000-05:00

Our little Lady Bug
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Our little lady bug had quite a day this Halloween. She broke all previous records for number of times disciplined in one day.....and she broke the cuteness record too.....what a day.

When I took the kids out trick or treating, Evie would waddle up to the person in her liitle outfit and stick out her cute. little chubby hands. After getting a piece of candy she would move a little closer and go "mooooor, mooooooor"....and they gave in every time.>); usually multiple times. Evie milked it for all it was worth.

Evie learning to walk

2006-08-20T22:46:00.000-04:00

E-A-G-L-E-S bouncy fun

2006-08-19T16:29:00.000-04:00

bouncy fun
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

We made a hot July Day trip to see the Eagles first practice open to the public. We (the kiddos, myself and Uncle Ed) all had a blast. The kids loved the NFL experience and survived watching 2 hours of practice (which Dad loved). You may notice that I forgot to actually take any pictures of the Eagles (ooops)...actually I was trying to contain Evie (I could not contain her in man coverage...it was great that Uncle Ed was there for the double team) because the bleachers were open and I it was a long way down.

We found a huge park on the way home and played and had a picnic lunch...followed by ice cream.

E-A-G-L-E-S!

Evelina's adoption day!

2006-05-11T00:30:00.000-04:00

It's final...Evie is now stuck with us, and we are blessed.

The family celebrated with our traditional Chuck-e-cheese trip which the kids love....especially now that they can play the games. They worked hard to collect hundreds of tickets so we could win that elusive prize. We fed hundreds of tickets into the machine and we had enough to buy a (drum roll)...a cool little frisbee and some candy. The Frisbee broke as we played with it in the parking lot...but the candy was good:>)

She looks like an angel doesn't she? She certainly is a gift from above. Thanks for all your prayers and help making this possible.

"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" Ephesians 1:5-6

Mom....it's not what you think :>)

2006-04-18T10:07:00.000-04:00

Some pics from our recent walk with the Gonzales crew to our little piece of country in the city, the beautiful Wissahickon.

The Birthday Boy

2006-04-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

The Birthday Boy
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Josiah had a wonderful 4th birthday party on Saturday. Thanks to Noah and Luke for coming over. His sister informed him that he would not turn 4 until he blew out the candles :>) He was so excited that it was 'his' birthday and 'his cake'. Click on the picture to see more pics.

His Bro enjoyed the cake too :>)

Give me a kiss mom :>)
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

Dr. Perkins breakfast with the kids

2006-04-04T14:21:00.000-04:00

dr perkins
Originally uploaded by phillymasts.

We were blessed to have Dr. Perkins, one of our heroes of the faith, stay with us for a weekend this March. It was an awesome experience. He is 'famous' in christian circles, yet humble. He is a man of great wisdom, that dropped out of school in third grade. He is 76 years old, but he would read his bible with us at breakfast and be fired up (and preachin')by 7am. He has suffered much for the kingdom, and yet is full of joy. I don't think we will grasp the impact he has had until we reach heaven. I was asked to introduce him for the conference. As I regflected on this I realized what an impact he has had on my life. His teaching of the three R's was highly influential in the purchase of our house and the neighborhood we live in. His ministry in MS caused me to re-evaluate my life and change my entire career path...and best of all, my wife and I became really good 'friends' at a ministry he helped start in Canton, MS (we even got engaged there :>)).

I think what the prophet Jeremiah said of King Josiah applies to him as well; "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me declares the Lord?" Dr. Perkins is a man who knows and loves and lives for his savior, Jesus Christ.

Evie's first birthday

2006-04-03T23:39:00.000-04:00

I think I like this cake thing:>)

Click on the flickr link to see more photos

2006-04-02T22:02:00.000-04:00

Toby's 7th Birthday party!

Look at those brave young knights and maidens ready to slay the dragon....which was Daddy. For some reason my wife loves to create birthday parties that involve 9 children with swords pummeling me:>). The kids sure had a blast ( I did to). Thanks to those who came. Check out more photos on the flickr link.