Friday, April 5, 2019

2018 Backlog - Photos from the Archives: Spring

We began the early spring season with recurring Strep.
We couldn't figure out why Zeke kept getting so sick.
I believe he contracted Strep 6 times with only a few days of relief in between.

We finally concluded that there had to be a Strep carrier,
but how in the world do you narrow that down when your child is
with so many other children in so many different environments.

Cai, on the other hand, was experiencing different signs of illness
and decided to take him in to get checked to see what was going on.

We finally figured out that Cai was a strep carrier,
he was just carrying a different kid of Strep which shows different symptoms!

We sure were relieved to get that situation under control!


Family soccer games have become a favorite past time for the Colony!
It's been so fun to watch our kids grow in their love for sports:)





Rainy had been saving her money for a long time to buy an aerial silk.
They have spent HOURS outside choreographing routines and
figuring out new things.

And sometimes just playing in the flowing silk.






Josh and I had a pretty busy traveling season this particular spring
and I always loved coming home to this tangles mess of cuddling kids. 


We continued to learn more and more about chickens and eggs.


This is called a "rubber egg" or "soft shell egg".
We occasionally get these from our chickens but usually they are just a mess 
by the time we get to them.

This time, though, we were actually able to get it before it burst and observe it.

It is typically a sign of low calcium
(which can be rectified by feeding the eggs their egg shells after we use the eggs).
It could also just be a new hen first beginning to lay eggs.


One day Jude woke up pretty emotional.
After a difficult morning with him we decided to let him take a
"personal day" and stay home from school.
It was literally the BEST thing we could have done for him!

Sometimes we just need to stop life and rest for a little bit.


I love listening to the kids catch up at night by nightlight
discussing life.  I hope they always love each other well.


2018 Backlog - Horseback Riding Lessons

We tried to get creative with our Christmas in 2017.
We found a Groupon for a horseback riding lesson package at Ingleside Farm.

It took us a couple of months to schedule the lessons,
big surprise, lol,
but we wanted to wait for warmer weather.

The girls LOVED being in the stable and feeding the horses
and learning all about them.

I think Alethia was a bit fearful at first,
sometimes it takes her to warm up to new types of animals.

But her love for horses really helped bridge that gap.
If it were up to them they would have continued on with their riding for years I'm sure!






Friday, February 22, 2019

2018 Backlog - Photos From The Archives

I'm not even sure what Jude dressed up for,
but I don't think he could get any cuter!


When we have friends over it always comes in multiples, ha!
Addison and Chloe are some of our faves.


I am also well aware that the Mayhugh's and the Via's 
are very closely integrated!

And we are all together you better watch out
because we will TAKE OVER!





Soccer season is fun for the whole family.
The girls get to play together...


...and so do the boys!
In fact, going home right after the game just doesn't ever seem to be an option.



I love this shot of Alethia on the long board.


And this photo of Cai quietly reading is one of my all time favorites too!


2018 Backlog - GO Conference


GO Conference at SEBTS 2018 was a blast!

We even made a live album from the weekend.












2018 Backlog - Valentine's Day

We always have fun for "Heart Day"

Valentine's 2018 was no exception!

We made our own valentines for classmates and friends.




The kids woke up to the traditional heart-shaped muffins
and hearts lining every inch of the house and ceiling:)


Even Jemma got in on the action, ha!


Rainy, The Birthday Cake Baker

We have a tradition around here.

If anyone has a birthday they place their birthday cake order with
the queen of baking.

She has become pretty amazing!

For my 40th she made a mint chocolate cake
with essential oils
and IT.WAS.DELICIOUS.

Jude always has some pretty elaborate ideas, 
but none too hard for Rainy!

The first cake pictured was Jude's birthday cake last year.



This next cake was Jude's birthday cake THIS year.
He wanted a penguin and panda theme...of course, lol.

Rainy went with a homemade cookie cake base.
She is also getting pretty good at improvising when she needs to.
The black icing was dyed with activated charcoal!

Pretty impressive if you ask me.
And Jude was a huge fan.


Rainy, herself, isn't a huge cake fan, but since she loves to bake so much
she is going to make her own birthday cake next week
just so she can get creative in the kitchen!

Monday, February 11, 2019

2018 Backlog - Nena


This day a year a ago sweet Nena went to be with Jesus.

Josh wrote the most beautiful post last year after her passing 
about the legacy that she left behind.

We miss her so much, as we remember her time here,
but we are resting in the peace and comfort that the Lord provides.






Uncle Ray thanking his mom for being such a great mom to him. 


Zeke was asked to be one of the paulbearers.
He also chose to wear his Great Ungle Gene's hat.