Saying Goodbye to Grams & Gramps Horscroft =(

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

WE SURE MISS YOU GUYS!!! COME BACK SOON!
That last picture of Eva is how we all feel about you leaving!! We hope to see you again real soon.

Our first tweenager! =O

Can anyone guess what this is a photo of?

If you guessed a pile of garbage, you'd be right and wrong. This is Ezra's binder that turned into a pile of garbage. He carried it around with his Science papers 'in' it. He didn't want me to buy a new one, so he used this for the last couple months of school. No wonder he kept losing assignments and turning them in late. I find it funny to see the words on the side "DURABLE". I guess that's an opinion - not fact.

Ez on his 12th birthday. He got some ring pops (his fave) from the siblings, a 'durable' scripture holder and tie tac from Grams/Gramps, and a much needed suit from mom/dad.

Check out the work Grandma put into this card. She wrote LOVE over the entire inside. I think her carpal tunnel acted up after she finished.

Okay, so I ran out of birthday wrapping. This did the job.

Looking sharp.

He kept asking 'where's the technology?' I told him once you turn 12, you get things you NEED for your birthday, not things you want. Can I get an 'AMEN' from anyone? hee hee

He did get the privilege of playing with fire at 12. I think that made him happy. That's a pan of brownies, by the way. He doesn't like cake anymore.

Ezra is now a freshly ordained Deacon. My baby is growing up too fast. Yes, Ez, you're still my baby even though you're as tall as me.

Eva vs. a bungee cord

Take a lesson children - never, ever, ever play with bungee cords!
Eva, Em, & Eli were playing tug of war and Em decided it would be okay to let go of her end of the bungee cord. Ummm, not such a good idea!

Eli's first Kindy field trip

I was able to join Eli during his field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo (doesn't compare to Portland's zoo). Here's his Kindy class with teacher, Mrs. Dean. Can you spot him in back right in the middle of the sign?

Now, this was the first thing our little group of 4 boys saw as we walked around. They all asked why was the turtle trying to climb on top of the other turtle. We told them they were playing leap frog. I'm so glad they bought it! Hee hee (I couldn't resist taking a pic)

There is an otter right behind the kids. It wouldn't cooperate for me to get it in my pic.
Eli's group of boys, their teacher,and Eva taking a break on top of an alligator.

Playing some interactive games.

Flamingos, cool.

See the reefshark above their heads?
I couldn't resist taking a pic of this lion. He was so handsome and cuddley looking. Kinda reminded me of Komi. hee hee

Again with the peace sign. I have no idea where he got that from. Peace out.

Eli wanted to take some photos with my camera. I love this shot he took on our way out of the zoo.

Easter '09

The Easter Bunny still hides baskets all over the Tui home each Easter. It seems to be getting harder to find them. Good job, Easter Bunny!

Can you tell he was happy to find his?

Time to dig in!

Eva found hers pretty quickly this year in the music cupboard.
Happy as pie!

Em found hers in her parent's closet. The Easter Bunny rocks!

Of course Em dove right in to her favorite thing - PEEPS! Doesn't it look delicious - NOT.

Nothing like chocolate on a stick for breakfast!

Yummmm!

Ez found his in Emma's closet after a very loooooooong search! Good job Easter Bunny. It gets harder every year to keep the kids interested in a good hunt.

Doesn't his face say everything? What's up with that?

Uh, I think I would rather look at the other face. ;p

Easter Egg Grab & Kids car wash

Here's what the kids were up to on April 4th, 2009.

A little football. . . and a little surprise

Eli LOVES football.

He prefers defense. It pays more.

Running for the flag . . .

. . . and diving is his specialty. Dad paying him for every flag he grabs has been great motivation! hee hee

SURPRISE - everyone says my husband never smiles. Eva captured this rare occasion on digital, so here you go world. (hope he never looks at my blog!)

Biking & 'Faux' Camping

Eva said to her dad a few days before her 4th birthday "Dad, will you take my training wheels off - I don't need them anymore." So he did (disregarding mom's skepticism), and the little stinker took off riding like a pro in all of a couple minutes.

She even navigated around the van with no worries!
Uh, I guess the grass didn't make her blink either.
During spring break, the kids wanted to build a fort and live upstairs for the week. This was the end result of much thought, creativity and a roll of masking & duct tape. It kept falling down, however.

It got a little musty up there after a few days, but they loved it anyway!