The Food Forest update

Wow, as I look back at the pictures from less than 6 months ago (Click here), what a transformation! The Food Forest is SO different!

This picture doesn't even do the Food Forest justice. There's so much color and life in here when you get up close!

Mom and Emery are busy out here every morning and throughout the day, working away and enjoying the flowers.

We have eaten some blueberries and harvested some garlic. But the fruit is not quite there yet this season. But we have some little pomegranates here if you look super close! We also have little peaches, pears, lemons and limes too. The trees are so small right now, but hopefully next year we might get to eat some fruit!

Benicia 5k

Matt ran his first 5k! His time was 27:11 for an 8:45 mile pace.

He finished in 4th place in his age group (10-11 year-olds) and almost got a medal. He was really disappointed by that.

We trained for about a month before with a run once a week. I hardly call it training, but we did something.

I managed to finish with a 26:47 time for an 8:37 pace. I don't know how I beat Matt. He's actually been running faster than me lately.

It was a great first race together. I might have a new running partner for the future! Great job Matt!

Luke 12:32-34

How do you give young people a vision for eternal treasures in heaven? It's a work only God can do. But I'm hoping that I can help the boys and girl see Christ in all His glory. He is the ultimate and most precious treasure of all.

Luke 12:32-34
³² Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. ³³ “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Basketball

This was Andrew's first year on the school team - 8th grade BMS Boys' basketball. Although they started the season with a loss, they ended up 9-4. Not bad!

At about 5'9", Andrew is one of the taller kids. But like his dad, he's not one of the thicker kids so he plays more of a small forward position. Unfortunately, at this age, there are only basically two groups of kids - the big ones and the guards. He's not quite big enough to be a big. And not quite quick enough to big a guard.

He managed to find a comfortable spot for himself on the baseline. It was a good spot not quite down low with the big boys and not all the way out on the perimeter either.

He managed to get off some good shots during the season. He didn't play a lot, but he kept trying to improve and contribute. Here are some of the season highlights:

Andrew started to move without the ball better and got a nice pass.

He's got to work on a more convincing pump fake, but it was a nice drive to the hoop.

After drawing the foul, he hit 1 of 2 free throws.

One of the big areas he was working on this year was rebounding. Here's a rebound with a nice outlet pass.

Not a bad steal and assist.

They ended the season in the consolation bracket championship game. They couldn't quite pull it off, but it was a great season nonetheless!

The beach

I've been meaning to post this for a while. These are from our Thanksgiving trip to LA, last year! I thought it would be a nice anticipation of summer as the weather gets warmer as well as a nice contrast to all the snow.

Because as much as the boys and girl love the snow, they also love the beach!

And the waves!

And we love to make sand castles. Actually, we love to make ditches and walls more. It's always fun to see how long our creations can survive the waves.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

I try and be sober minded with the boys and girl when we memorize Scripture. Especially this passage as we talk about the Word of God and how to love Him everywhere we go and all the time. But sometimes, you just can't get rid of the giggles.

Of course, it doesn't help when your older brothers are planning a sneak attack.

The 3rd time is always the charm...actually, it was really the 5th but we didn't need to see every attempt!

Deuteronomy 6:4-7
⁴ “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Yosemite

Recently, we took the boys and girl to Yosemite. It was our first time (except for Sandy who went in college).

Once we got there (getting there was a whole different story! Always remember to bring chains...), it was GORGEOUS! The splendor of God was singing from the mountains and skies and waterfalls. This was a perfect spot with El Capitan to the left, Half Dome straight ahead and a waterfall to the right.

It was a quick trip so we just did a little bit of hiking. Or strolling at times.

We saw Half Dome up close.

And Mirror Lake - do you see the reflection?

It drew Andrew into some deep reflection himself...

Sandy took plenty of photos.

Everyone got a turn.

Yosemite Falls was raging. Because of all the rain this year, all of the waterfalls were really going. It was impressive.

We rented a house in the woods. It was very picturesque.

Emery and Matt managed to pile up enough snow to build a miniature snow man.

And do some sledding.

It wasn't fast but it was boss.

It's always more fun sledding together!

Yosemite ended up being a great trip.