VBS 2010 - Prison to Palace

We are delving into Ancient Egypt, with the theme being "Joseph: From Prison to Palace". We have had a great week of wandering through a bazaar/marketplace doing lots of Egyptian tasks (basket weaving, pottery, paper-making, hieroglyphics, etc.), visiting Joseph in the "prison" and the "palace", singing lots of hilarious songs, and on the final day .................. RIDING A CAMEL!!!!!

All four of us girls rode "Joe" at once. He was gentle with us. And Emily, who was determined NOT to participate, was ready to go again!

Anna gets new glasses

Anna got her eyes checked, and had a great check-up (luckily, she actually had been wearing her glasses enough to get her stigmatism to change). So, mommy let her pick out so new glasses. No more little girl glasses. Almost looks like Kentucky grandma ...

A Day at the Pool

We all went to the Chillicothe pool on Friday night and had a great time. Just warm enough to really enjoy getting wet. The girls all learned a new trick: Anna to keep her head under water and move in swimming motions, Emily went down the little water slide, and Jenna went in the two foot part of the kiddie pool. Oh, the fun.

Believe it or not, Anna is beneath the splash in the water. She is now getting brave enough to go down this big water slide. Way to go Anna.

Sailing with Christopher Columbus

We had the opportunity to step aboard exact replicas of the Nina and the Pinta, which are currently docked on the Peoria Riverfront. Anna thought it was wonderful, while the little girls preferred admiring from the dock.

5th of July waterfun

And more water fun with Eli, Jude and Asher ...

4th of July fun

Fun on the 4th of July with cousins Eli, Jude, Asher, Jeff, Annie, Granddad, Grandma and Mira. After naps, we played water games, then off to Fireworks. Can't believe they were all up past their bedtimes, but I guess we survived.

Fun pictures of the girls

A visit to Wildlife Prairie Park always ends up with some great pictures of the girls. Anna being a Wildlife Ranger, Emily working on her chalk board in a one room school house, and Jenna hugging a bear.

Wildlife Prairie Park with lots of family

With lots of family in tow, we headed on July 3rd for Wildlife Prairie Park, right outside of Peoria. Jim and Cathy (Kristin's parents), Jeff (Kristin's brother), Annie, Eli, Jude and Asher, and cousin Mira. We saw buffalo, elk, mountain lions, snakes, etc. - and had a great time hiking and picnicing. And the kid favorite ... a ride on a train. Beautiful day and lots of fun.