Lego Club

The older two have joined the Lego Club with the virtual academy. We meet once a month and the kids get into teams and build assigned items with Legos. These are some creations they made at home before our first meeting.
Lukas' is the one with the red and white striped building. Drue's house has flowers in front.

2 Babies

Whenever we are holding Launa and Samuel wants to be held, he says "Two Babies". That means to hold both of them. Or if we are coming down the steps and carry them both he says "Two Babies". Here is a moment when they are playing nicely (without physical contact) on the couch. Normally they love to wrestle, sword fight each other or play chase around the house. She will be the toughest girl in town.

Just Like Lukie

Samuel is becoming a "big boy". He has been transplanted into a big boy bed and is using the potty (most of the time). His new favorite saying is "Just like Lukie". On this morning he insisted that I pour milk in his cereal (he usually eats it dry) just like Lukie.
Here is a photo of him and his big brother. Notice how close he feels he has to sit to Lukas. Lukas is learning the responsiblity of being a good example.

Prescott, again!

Well, we visted Prescott again. This may become an ongoing thing. Lance's grandmother moved up there just over a week ago and she has plenty of room for us to stay. The kids love hiking and searching for animals around her house. We only have stray cats in our neighborhood. Lukas went out on an adventure by himself at dusk and found a deer. It was "from this corner to that corner" away. That is how far he told us and Grandma. I think if was probably 20ft or so. He was scared and starting running and screaming. He came in the house and when he calmed down, told us he saw the deer. We all ran to the window and there she was. I was quite an experience. Don't see a deer in the backyard everyday. (Although, once I saw some in my backyard, but no one believed me!!!!!!)

County Fair

We visited the Yavapai County Fair in Prescott Valley on Friday. The kids had so much fun. They rode rides, saw farm animals, watched a sheep get sheared and a show by Ranger Rick from Animal Planet. Even Launa got to join in on the rides (she's on the bus). She laughed everytime the other kids would come around on the motorcycles.
They had an exhibit where the kids could be "farmer for a day". This is all of them collecting eggs from the chickens. (No, the chickens aren't real) The fair seems so much more fun when you're the parent!!!
Thanks Papa. I still remember going to fair with my grandparents.

Bunk Bed

The boys are now sharing a room. They have a bunk bed. It has worked fairly well the last few nights. Samuel kept falling out the first night, but has done well the other two. Samuel is excited to be sharing Lukas's room (and toys). He has grown up so much in the last couple of weeks.
I made Samuel's blanket due to the fact that I could not find a Wiggles Blanket at a reasonable price. It is purple, blue, yellow and red. His pillow matches. He loves it as only a 2 year old can love a blanket that his mother handmade! He feels so special.

She WON

Well, Launa won the battle of the hair! She would wait until she was in her carseat and pull her hairbows out, while laughing. And forget about keeping them in at home. She would go around the corner and pull them out. Lance keeps finding little rubber bands all over the house.
Anyway, I cut her hair the other day. She doesn't keep still long enough to get a good picture. These were the best I could do. She was sitting on Lance's lap, but decided to start bouncing and found it to be so much fun she couldn't stop. Her hair is blowing with the motion. Drue did manage to get her still by holding her, but only long enough for the picture. She is one bundle of energy.

Rain

We had some rain last week and the kids saw the perfect opportunity to play in the mud. Our friend Daniel was staying with us at the time. They had so much fun. It brought back many childhood memories.

BIG BOY!!!

Look who's going potty!!!!!!

Summer Fun

The kids were enjoying a much needed break from school. We have been working hard!
We went out tonight and cleaned out the pool and refilled it. They couldn't wait until tomorrow to get in. They always have so much fun in there.

First Day of School

We just had our first official day of school. We are members of the Arizona Virtual Academy. We can homeschool online with the Core K12 curriculum and the kids are labeled as public school kids so we get all the supplies, including a computer, for free. Well, for our tax money! It is a lot of work and will take a little getting used to for all of us. Drue has to complete 5 hours a day (not a problem). Lukas has to complete 4 hours a day. If we include all his daydreaming, he is really close! Right now we are focusing on taking assessments until they get to where they are challenged. So far, we are not challenged. It makes it nice to start a new system off with easy work.
We took a picture with their favorite teacher, mom. With the principal, dad. And one at their desks. We are awaiting our computer from the academy and then they will each have a computer to do school on.

Yavapines Camp

We visited Yavapines Camp while in Prescott. The youth from the church are there this week and we visited during rec. time on Friday. A few other families with young kids visited also. The kids had a great time.
The boys caught bugs and Launa tasted woodchips.

Prescott

We spent yesterday (Friday) in Prescott. It is beautiful up there! We attempted to get a picture of everyone in front of this tree, but Launa refused to stand there. She also refused to actually look at the camera. This was the best we could do.

Akers Family

Akers Family

Naunie (Launa)

Launa (affectionately known as Naunie) is 13 months old and cruising everywhere. She figured out the walking thing the Tuesday before she turned one. She has two older brothers who love her more than anything! Lukas says she is a princess.
She loves to wrestle with her brothers. She's one tough cookie.
She's so easy going she makes a perfect fourth child.

Samuel

Well, Samuel is 2 and our great big bundle of energy. He keeps us on our toes.

He and Papa (Lance's dad) in Prescott for a birthday lunch.

He is a wonderful big brother. However, he could use some lessons on being a nice little brother.

A Wiggly Birthday Party. Samuel loves the wiggles. He could watch them and dance all day. I think he knows every song and the dance that goes with them. That poor wiggles shirt has been washed and worn more than anything else in his closet. It is always his first choice.

Lukas

Lukas is 5 1/2.
He took two sessions of karate earlier this year. He really enjoys karate. We are going to put him in "real" karate when things settle down here.
He recently finished his first season of T-Ball. He loved the games--because he got snacks. Wasn't really his sport I guess. He did good though, when he paid attention. No injuries and only a few tears.
He and Drue love that camera a little too much sometimes.

Drue

Drue is now 9 years old. She is in Florida until August 2nd. We can hardly wait to see her. She has been gone almost 7 weeks. She enjoys soccer, volleyball, and reading. She will be entering the 4th grade in August. She has been homeschooled since the second half of Kindergarten and enjoys it most days. She has the greatest teacher anyone could ask for!!! At least I think so.
She received a digital camera for her birthday last year and is our official family photographer. If it weren't for her, I would not have so many pictures of everyone.

More road trip pictures

Launa, Drue, Lukas, Sydney (Stash's), Samuel, Seth (Stash's).

Here are a few more pictures taken on our trip.
Samuel Houston with my grandfather, Houston.
Drue's 9th birthday.
My dad, Lukas and Lance playing golf.
All the grandkids still enough to take a picture (almost)!