Purple belts, Miss Anna, and SWAP

The kids and I joined a homeschool group called SWAP, schooling with a purpose. We had our first field trip on Friday and went to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. It was really neat and the kids enjoyed it. There was a DJ that did a demonstration and let the kids try scratching the music and finding the boom in the songs. It was very entertaining and they really liked that part. Then we went on a tour of the museum to see all kinds of instruments and how they have changed over time. It got a bit boring but the boys really enjoyed it. The field trip ended with the kids making a take home art project by decorating a CD. They had to write down what their favorite song was and then decorate the CD case. There was no surprise that Anna chose to write Kamikaze by Tyrone Wells, she has the song memorized and loves it!







Let's see, where to begin. The kids graduated to their next rank in Karate and earned their purple belts. This past cycle, they learned something called Element 1, how to move their bow staffs, and how to break a board with the side of their arm. They got to show off what they have learned at graduation on Saturday. It was a great time! I still cannot figure out how to do indoor action shots under fluorescant lighting. It is very difficult for me and not my specialty. There is also a mirror in the background so it makes using the flash hard because it flashes off the mirror. So all this to say, I am not pleased with my pics at all but I did find a few keepers of the not so action shots. The breaking of the boards ones just didn't turn out. :(







Last but not least, I did a mini photo shoot with Anna the other day and I am in love with these pictures. She is such a ham for the camera. :) Enjoy!

Lent, facebook, and bits of news

Goodbye facebook, that is what I said to facebook on Ash Wednesday in honor of Lent. I logged off of facebook and will not log back on until Easter is over. A 40 day fast is in order. I realized this weekend while we were away from computers and electronics that I found myself thinking about facebook and wondering what was going on in the facebook world. I also have found lately when something funny happens or when my kids say something cute, the first thing I think of is how that would make a great status update. So with my thoughts often times consumed with facebook, I felt it would be a good thing to take that focus off of facebook and more on my Creator. And what a fitting time to do it leading up to Easter where we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. So I am on day 2 of no facebook, so far so good. I am finding a lot of extra time on my plate, so for that I am happy!
As far as bits of news, here are some odds and ends of the happenings in the Ray family:
1. Jadon finished his Master Reading program in homeschool.
2. Camden finished his unit 1 all about spelling program. He is amazing with spelling and has learned to spell over 140 words.
3. Anna just wrote her first story, a non-fictional one about fighting with her brothers while playing the Wii but then they work it out and it is a happy ending.
4. Camden wrote a story about how to make a snow sandwich.
5. Jadon wrote a story about his favorite reptile and why he likes it, a peach belly monitor.
6. The kids are graduating to their next rank in Karate in a week!
7. Michael was gone in Wisconsin for a week of training, it was cold and snowy and he is happy to be home.
8. Korri survived without Michael and had a good week with the kids.
9. I love the Olympics and watch them faithfully. I can't wait for the women's figure skating.
10. Pepper has been naughty lately and he needs a bath, he stinks and even made Anna gag when he was sitting next to her. She has an overactive gag reflex to yucky smells.
11. Spring is in the air and I love the change of season, one of my favorite times of the year.
12. Michael's car broke down today and we have not figured out what to do. It may cost more to fix it than it is worth, is a new car in order? What would Dave Ramsey say about this?
13. I'll end here since #13 is a good number. I made a delicious chicken roast a few weeks back and it was a family favorite. I was so proud of myself. Then today I decided to make the same exact recipe but realized after roasting it, I had laid it upside down and it turned out terrible. I was disappointed but at least I know I can do it, maybe next time!
The End.

Annagrace's 5th Birthday party!

I realized I never blogged about Anna's 5th birthday party. That is probably because right before her party Jadon came down with a fever and went from feeling fine to horrible in a matter of miniutes. So Michael and I got to draw straws to see who would escort Anna to her birthday celebration at Peter Piper Pizza and it was me who won. Daddy got to go to the superbowl party the next day while I stayed home with the sick one. Then after a week of being sick, we packed up our bags and headed up north (last post) so that is why Anna's birthday party is tardy making this blog. Before we left for Peter Piper, we let Anna open her gift from us. She got a pink razor. She was thrilled! Then it was off to Peter Piper to celebrate with a few friends and family members. Anna likes her parties small, no problem with that. So it was just two families, two of her cousins and my parents who joined us. We had fun eating pizza (if you can call eating peter piper pizza fun?) and playing games, and enjoying cake and opening presents. It was a fun time had by all. Since Anna's party she has woken up every morning saying how she just doesn't feel 5 yet until yesterday she woke up saying, "Mommy! I finally feel 5!" It is hard to believe our youngest is now 5, I really can't believe it. I hope her 5th year will be a great one! We love you Annagrace Selah Ray!!!!!!

SNOW!

We spent a weekend up north enjoying God's beautiful snowy country. We had a fabulous time. Here are some pitures of our time away. I grouped these into categories; best of Jadon, best of Camden, best of Anna, best of dad (not many to choose from, I am so not photogenic), best of dad, best of family, and best of nature. So here are a ton of pictures to view! I just couldn't narrow it down any more than this.