Girls Night Out

Last week Katrina and I went to Biggby Coffee with 2 of my four sister-in-laws: Amber and Fanny. Leanne was sick and Francys was in Venezuela.
The day before I saw a pin on Pinterest about secret treats to get your kids at Starbucks. I didn't look at the pin, but it was a bit intriguing.
Anyway, we got to Biggby and I wondered what Katrina would order. She saw the person ahead of us get a drink with whipped cream on top and she whispered to me, "I'd like a cup of just cream." We smiled big smiles at each other and stepped up to order. The clerk looked at Katrina and said, "We can do that, you know?"
So, Katrina ordered a cup of cream. What a treat!

Brotherly-Sisterly Love

One thing I pray is that Katrina, Samuel and Joel have great sibling relationships for years to come.
When I saw them sleeping like this, I couldn't help but snap a picture.

Duran Family October 2012

Pancho
Kristina
Katrina 6.5
Samuel 3.5
Joel 14 months
Simba 11 months

There and back in 23 hours

We just got back from a q.u.i.c.k. trip to Chicago. Quick for us is there and back with all.3.kids. in 23 hours!
I am exhausted. Physically -- yesterday I woke up at 5:15 with many things on my to-do list, we went to bed at midnight (all of us except Pancho who went to bed at 2 am!), we woke up before 7 (you know the adage, "late to bed, early to rise). Emotionally -- we were in the car for 5 hours straight on the way there and 1+4 hours on the way home with three small kids (who are not used to road tripping), need I say more?
The good news, however, is that we have our guests! My sister-in-law, Fanny and her husband, whom I had not met until 10 last night, are here with us in good ol' Weston. They will spend nearly 3 weeks with us and then we'll take them back. (Rest assured, we have a different plan for the trip back down there!)
On the way home today we stopped at Disney, err, I mean Chuck E. Cheese. (Katrina called it Disney numerous times!) Here are a few pictures from our time there. (Oh, and one reason this did not affect my emotional exhaustion is because we were the o.n.l.y. ones there!)

Joel

This is how Joel "rolls" these days... One minute, playing contentedly on the floor. The next minute, playing super contentedly on top of the kid-size picnic table.
We are challenged to always be pendiente!

Pumpkin patch

For years it has been a tradition to go to the apple orchard in the fall. This year was no exception. However, this was a poor year for apple growers and there are not many apples.
So, we went to the apple orchard but we did the pumpkin patch tour because there was no apple orchard tour!
It was super fun. The only downfall is now. We are not enjoying all the tasty treats from our big bag of apples that we always purchased!

A Cubbie and a Spark

This year we have a Cubbie and a Spark participating in the AWANA program.
How can that be possible?
Lord, help us cherish these days!

Trip to CFS

It has been a Duran family tradition to spend Memorial Day weekend at Camp Forest Springs for the last several years. We went this year as well and then the Lord provided a way for us to take my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and our niece for Labor Day weekend.
We had a wonderful time. More memories made than photos taken. But, that is just fine by us!
Some highlights include:
Pancho -- high ropes with Francys and Vero
Kristina -- paddle boating with Katrina and Samuel
Katrina -- painting a jewelry box with Mama
Samuel -- riding the tractors at the farm
Joel -- sandbox
Emelys -- spending time with the family
Francys -- the food
Veronica -- paintball with Panchito

Quick trip to MOA

Having family from out of the country in town necessitates a trip to the Mall of America.
We took very few pictures but made lots of wonderful memories!

Joel Thorne -- 12 months

/

Joel is 12 months now.

I cannot believe that my baby is one year old.

It is a bittersweet feeling.

We are so thankful that God has blessed us with Joel Thorne

for an entire year.

At the same time, it is the end of an era for us.

It is the end of our time as a family with a baby.

Although we look forward with anticipation

at what God has in store for us,

we look back with tears, knowing that

this time has slipped by.

If you cannot tell, I simply cannot get enough of this little man. 

(hence ALL the pictures of him in basically the same pose!)

Lord Jesus,

You have given us such a gift in Joel Thorne.

We have learned so much through the pregnancy

with him, through the birth and now through his first year.

We look expectantly at what You will teach us

during this next year.

Thank You again, for being the Giver of good gifts.

Amen.