the chocolate factory

We visited the Chocolate Factory yesterday.  What a fun trip.  I am not a big chocolate fan but it was fun to see the chocolate fountain that starts two or three stories up.

The Chocolate Factory

the fountain

getting chocolate

the chocolate counter

Cadyn and the chocolate bear

our last day

We are entering our last day in Alaska.  In less than 24 hours we will be sitting in the Anchorage International Airport awaiting our flight home.  It has been a long week.  Those of you who know me well will understand that!  I never leave home!  Being away for 8 days has seemed like an eternity.  I have enjoyed Jessica and the boys but am ready to get home and back to "life as I know it", my husband and my girls.  :-)  Jessica and I attended the baby shower that her church ladies gave her last night.  They were so gracious to her and showered her with lots of beautiful gifts for Eli.  It was a blessing to get to meet them and be a part of her shower.  They were taking the photos for her but I did get a couple and one when we got home of her "much needed" gift.

Jessica opening gifts

He likes it!

chicago trip

Before David and the girls dropped Jonathan and I off at the airport, we went downtown and visited the Magnificient Mile.  We drove along Lake Shore Drive and then went to visit the American Girl Store to get Molly and Emily's ears pierced and the Lego Store.  The parking was crazy but it was really fun for the kids.  On the way back to the van we stopped in at the Disney Store just for fun.

Chicago skyline

Lake Shore Drive

The Magnificient Mile

Girls with their purchases

Standing at Molly's cubical era

Lego spider at the entrance of the Lego store

Lego Darth Vader

Jasmine creating something

Jireh creating something

Dino and cameras

Outside the Disney Store on the Magnificient Mile

greetings from alaska

Greetings from the state of Alaska. It is a very cool crisp morning here in Anchorage, 31 degrees. Jonathan and I have been here since Friday night. We arrived at the airport about 10:15 pm after a slight delay because of weather in Chicago. We had a very smooth flight. We have had a very relaxing time since our arrival. Although there is lots to do here, it is nothing compared to life at home. No time to ever sit down at home.

The plane ride

The mountians where Jessica's family goes sledding in the winter

Cadyn, Derek, Casey & Eli

just an update

The school uniform business is in full swing here with not much time to sleep.  It is hard to keep it all in order.  The kids are doing really good with their new home school DVD's from Bob Jones.  It is a great program, although I think much more work on mom!  Uniforms are being produced and going out everyday all over the country.  David is due to be layed off soon from his day job and then will pick up his side construction business and go with that for a little while.  I am actually thinking he should stay layed off long enough to finish my kitchen trim.  It is the last thing to do before the renovations are completed.  In 24 days, Jonathan and I will be flying out to spend a week with Jessica and the boys in Alaska.  It should be a great trip.  We are both looking forward to it although I have to admit, I am not at all looking forward to the flight!  Will post another day the things we have done this summer when there is more time.

jasmine's 9th birthday party

Jasmine turned 9 on August 24th.  She wanted to have a Hawaiian

party so we set out to prepare.  Everything you see in these photos

as far as decorations was on clearance... whole party...$15! 

YIPEEE and a whole lot of fun!

I decided to make her cake from a photo she found in a book.  I am glad my

children are so easy to please!

The decorations!

Then it was off to the picture taking.  Jireh wasn't too sure about all the

hoola skirt stuff!

The girls with the bird!  HA!

When the guest arrived they went out and played pass the coconut (like

hot potatoe) and then came in for treats.

We had lots of fresh fruit including a real pineapple and a real coconut.

They drank strawberry/banana sluchies!

Then it was on to the gift opening.  She got many nice gifts.

A puzzle board, jewelry, polly pockets, webkin, doll clothes,

American Girl books and notebook things.

Then it was on to the yard for some games.  They jumped in the trampoline, played

on our park slide and then played some volleyball.  Back to the trampoline for the most fun.  It was a beautiful evening. 

Jasmine is such a sweetheart and growing into quite a young lady.

There are a few special things I love about Jasmine.

1. She is joyful

2. She is sensitive

3. She is sweet

4. She is creative

5. She is very organized

6. She can be so silly

7. She is diligent

8. She is determined

9. She is energetic

Thank you God for allowing Jasmine to be a special part of all our lives!

jireh's 7th birthday

Our baby girl, Jireh, celebrated her 7th birthday on July 26th.  It was the first time she ever had a birthday party with friends invited (we always have family parties).  We planned and prepared for weeks for a Fancy Nancy party.  It was a huge success and everyone had a great time.

This was the table with all the decorations on it.  As you can see, Cinderella was there for photos!
                                     

This was the cake.  Jireh's sister-in-law, Laura, made it for her from a photo we sent to her.

This was her gift from us.  I used purple satin and motifs left over from a wedding to create

her a one of a kind princess dress.  She was so proud of it she wore it to church on her birthday for the evening service!

All dressed up and ready for the party to begin.

This is Jasmine with Cinderella!

When the girls arrived, they were given a wand.  Then they had their hair

 fixed up and their crown pinned in place.

Then it was off to get their lip gloss and make up. 

Each girl picked her color to take home with her.

Of course every princess needs her nails painted.

After all the makeup was done, nails were painted and hair was fixed the girls

were able to choose their own necklace, rings and sticker earrings. 

Once they were all ready, the party began!

Jireh choose rasberry sherbert punch, mini pizzas and a fruit plate for her menu.

They all ate up!

The first game we played was to guess what was missing from the

princess tray.  I allowed them a minute to view the tray full of princess necessities and then

took something from it.  Who ever guessed what I had taken won that item.  I took the nail polish off.

Jireh was the winner!

Then we played pass the crown (kind of like hot potatoe).  Jasmine won that

game and recieved the crown as her gift!

Then we played pin the tira on the princess.  What fun!

Next we opened gifts.  Jireh loves anything that she gets.  She

is such an easy child to please.

She got some Fancy Nancy books and stickers, new stroller & baby doll items,

jewelry and gum, doll clothes, camera and lots of money!

When we were done with the inside activities they were taken outside to blow some bubbles

that they had been given and play one last game of hide the crown. 

This is Jireh a couple of days later on her actual birthday.

She wore her crown to church that morning and her dress and crown that night.

We are so blessed to have Jireh as our daughter.  Below are just

a few things I love about her.  I wrote 7 of them down, one for each year.

1. She is full of joy.

2. She is a very pleasant child.

3. She is super creative.

4. She is fun loving.

5. She shows compassion on everyone.

6. She has a heart to serve people.

7. She is energetic.

WE LOVE YOU, JIERH DANELIA JOY!

zoo trip

Wow, what a last few weeks! We met Grandpa and Grandma Jacobs at the St. Louis Zoo the end of June for a day of fun.

My good friend Doris Winkler came and she brought her grandaughter. It was nice to get to spend time with them.

The first thing we did was pet the stingrays. It was great. Although Jireh was not interested at all!

The perfect ending to the perfect day.... Grandma Jacobs bought them a funnel cake to share. Yummy... what a special treat!