Sleeping on Daddy

Joshua had his first double ear infection the week before our vacation. At that time he was also cutting his top two teeth. It was very difficult to get him to sleep during this time. Here is a sweet moment amid the fatigue of that time.

Jesus Storybook Bible - HIGHLY recommended

This book had been referred to me by a couple of people and I have referred it to others - or bought it! I noticed it's on sale right now at Christian Book (www.cbd.com) for just $9.50, I think S/H is $3 or $4. Because this book is so well written, and such a treaure to our family, I thought I'd highlight it here on our blog. Every story, from Genesis to Revelation, truly does whisper His name!

Phelps Family

Here is a preview of the 2011 Phelps Family photo shoot - just the grandkids below. More pictures to come once they arrive!
What a fun weekend we had with the whole family.

We had SO much fun when all the Phelps's were in town. We crashed Pat's house a few times, we celebrated Dylan's b-day at John's Incredible Pizza. Pretty amazing when you get everyone in town for a weekend...boy were we exhausted at the end of that weekend. Good thing we ended that week with a vacation!

Something funny my kids do...

You might walk into their room at night and think the rapture happened....OR you might just realize how cute they are. Look at what they do the night before with their clothes for school.

Vacation!

Just uploaded our pictures from vacation last week. The kids had the week off for "President's Week" so we took them on a multi-family vacation with some friends. We had an absolute blast, as will be evident in the highlight pictures below.

Where did we go??? We went to Angels Camp, California! It was only about an hour and a half drive. We stayed in a timeshare resort that our friends have ownership of. We had a 2 bedroom condo and it was very nice! We had a night to ourselves, getting settled and moved in - and a day to ourselves, still getting settled and moved in, on Wednesday. Royce took the kids swimming in the cold, though the pool was heated. They really enjoyed that. I stayed behind with Joshua napping. That night our friends joined us and 1 at a time, each family mosied on over to our condo where we then had a unit full of 25 people (10 adults, 15 children). It was a bit on the loud side. (so fun!)

[who was the smart one who got the kids playing duck, duck, goose?? Oh that's right, it was Kristen, of course!]



On Friday the ladies spent some time away at Starbucks and then went thrift store shopping in this quaint town of Angels Camp. It was raining on us by the time we got back, but clear skies later in the day. We kept getting told that it was going to snow there, which is unusual for that altitude. That afternoon during naptime, all of the dads got together for a bit and then took the kids to play on a playground.

[At one point, when the moms all came back from somewhere, we found all of the boys shirtless and watching TV. (funny things happen when Dads are in charge) Below is exactly how we found them when we walked in the door.]


By Saturday, we still hadn't seen any snow, so we caravaned up to Arnold and found some snow! Again, a blast was had by all. The kids were able to sled down a hill & after a little while it began to snow on us. We headed back to the resort, attempted to get kids down for a nap and the blue skies at Angels Camp began to flurry with snow. It was beautiful. For a brief few moments, God brought snow to us.




Sadly, on Sunday we headed back home. It was a much needed vacation and change of scenery for us. Our last vacation was to San Diego 2 years ago! Thank you, friends, for making it happen, and thank you Lord, for the opportunity to be in true community and fellowship with your children.

Below are some more photos of our trip....

Merry Christmas!

Hello and long time no blog! Below is our annual holiday letter. There are still 1/3 of our family & friends who have yet to receive this along with our card in the mail. Hoping to accomplish the rest of the Christmas cards in January!

More updates and pictures are coming to the blog soon - time to get back into the swing of things. When baby hits 6 months old, we usually feel like we're getting the swing of things. However, there are new challenges we face, such as attitudes of 9 year olds. We'll catch up soon enough with life in the Phelps household. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” Luke 2:10

2010

H ello Friends and Family, we’ve got a rhyme for yous; it’s what happens when you read too much Dr. Seuss.
A bout time we did another letter, I know. Last year we were busy, this year too, watching our family grow!
P helps headquarters gained another little trooper; Joshua Thomas is really quite super!
P lenty of LOVE to go around, we extend some to you too when this letter you have found.
Y ou’ll find a tidbit of all in this letter and maybe you’ll get to know the Phelps’ a little better.

B iggest brother Nathan (9) just started Basketball and loves drawing, playing Legos and isn’t so small. (3rd grade!)
I n the first grade now, Hannah (6 ½) is learning so much, she’s caring, artistic and loves all with a “little mama’s” touch.
R eally testing Mom’s patience these days, Preston (4½) loves to play, do art and is loving his newest brother’s baby stage.
T his toddler, Spencer (2) is such a joy; full of energy, laughter, curiosity; he loves cars & trains and is such a big boy!
H appy is Joshua (5mos.) most would say, but teething & gas some of the day. Giggles & smiles; this age is perfect all the way.
D ad and mom love these blessings that keep them so busy, life isn’t perfect in fact at times makes us dizzy.
A t least we have each other and all of you in our life, but most importantly we are glad that we have Christ.
Y es we have our struggles like anybody does, but we have Hope within us and are joyful because.

J uly brought us a new baby, kids went back to school and in November Royce lost his job but it’s “cool”.
E verything is up in the air but we’re excited; our new mantra is: God’s in control & if He wills it so be it.
S o Courtney keeps busy with kiddos and MOPS, with homework and housework; the fun never stops.
U nabashed is our love for God and for life; who cares if there’s a little bit of strife.
S o If you told us 10 years ago, when we wed, that we’d have 5 kids, “You’re looney!” we would have said.
! Hopefully by now you’re not sawing a log, but if you want to hear more just check out our blog!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Phelps Family
Royce, Courtney, Nathan, Hannah, Preston, Spencer & Joshua

Preparations for Christmas

Trimming the Christmas Tree is always festive around our house. Christmas music on, cookies & cocoa consumption, we're ready to go!






Each night in December, our family goes through the book "The Adventure of Christmas" and reads something about the history and traditions of Christmas, such as trimming the Christmas Tree, why we light up the tree, and our homes, Santa Claus, Holiday Letters and Christmas Greetings. Everyone always enjoys this book each year.

This is something we started this year, an Interactive Nativity set called "What God Wants for Christmas"