Fun Family Day

Monday was a fun family day we were all looking forward to. It's Joe's day off of work and Joleigh and Noelle were off of school too, for Columbus Day. So we made a plan to do something fun. Joleigh and Noelle made a list of what they wanted to do and we did it. First thing after breakfast, we loaded the girls' bikes in the van. Joleigh told us that she is the only one in her class that doesn't know how to ride a 2-wheel bike without training wheels (not sure if that's true), but we told her we would go practice. She also wanted to go buy a keychain for her backpack (apparently that is a very popular thing in the 1st grade). Well, after loading up the bikes we could not find the girls' bike helmets anywhere, so we headed to the store to get them new ones and while we were there Joleigh and Noelle got to pick out a keychain for their backpacks and we also got slap bracelets and some fang teeth. We are so fun...I know.

After the store, we decided to head up to the church. We knew there were lots of places to ride bikes and also play on the playground.

The girls have been asking for quite awhile to climb the mountain at the church, but it has been way too hot, so it was the perfect time to go yesterday. It was such a great time! We hiked the mountain and stopped along the way to pray together as a family. The girls were so excited when we got to the top and could see the view and the cross up close. On the way down we went into the empty tomb and Joleigh told us the whole story of Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the dead. It made me so happy and proud to hear her retelling it and then talking about one day getting to go to heaven because she believes in Jesus in her heart.

After our hike, we headed home for lunch and then nap time. We laid Naya and Jaelyn in their beds to sleep. Then Joe and I went to take a nap too, while Joleigh and Noelle had quiet time in their room. Next thing I knew both big girls crawled into bed with Joe and I to take a nap with us. Everyone fell asleep and took a great nap together.

Thinking back to our day just makes me smile. I just adore my family and treasure our special times together!