Favorite Games

As a family that doesn’t watch a lot of TV, we love to play games together! Below are some of our favorite board games, card games, computer games, and games played outside. Please feel free to chime in your favorites in the comments!

Mark—Two of my favorite games are actually computer games. I enjoy playing MS Flight Simulator and MS Combat Simulator on occasion. I typically enjoy games with some strategy, so I would have to say Clue, Monopoly, Battleship, Life, and Chess would be some of my favorite board games.

Betsy—My all-time favorite board game is one that I had as a child, but have never seen around as an adult. It was called “Square-Off.” It involved moving tiles on a board at top speed against an opponent. I also loved Parcheesi, which my parents and I would play a lot. Current favorite board games are Battleship, Monopoly, Hugger Mugger, and Pictionary.

Bianca—Probably my favorite game to play outside is Capture the Flag, especially if it’s played in the dark with friends! J As far as board games I enjoy Monopoly, Life, Aggravation, and Clue. When it comes to card games, I enjoy Spoons and Dutch Blitz.

Ben—My favorite computer games are Madden Football and GRID racing. My favorite board games are chess, Battleship, Life, and Monopoly. I also like Aggravation and Trouble, which are similar.

Rubia—I like to play tag. As for board games I like chess, Life, Aggravation, and Battleship. I also like hide-and-seek and Capture the Flag.

Roma—When it comes to favorite games, I like a lot of board games. I like Don’t Break the Ice, chess, Clue, Life, Aggravation, and Battleship. When I’m outdoors I like to play games that involve running.

Josiah—I LOVE to play chess! I also like to play Aggravation, Life, and Clue.

Serving Others

One character quality our parents have made a point to instill in all of us kids is service. Ever since we were old enough to walk and hold things, we have helped Mom and Dad with work projects around the house. Scripture clearly teaches that work and service are very important character qualities for a godly person to possess.

Josiah helping Daddy assemble shelves for our garage.

One passage that all of us became familiar with from a young age is Proverbs 6:6-11. It says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Father and son working together.

They also taught us to serve with joy as Jesus did so many times in the New Testament. Serving others is a privilege! I’m very thankful to have this attitude instilled at a young age, because I’m still working on it! But if Jesus was willing to get down on his hands and knees and wash the disciples’ dirty, smelly feet (John 13), then I can surely learn how to serve others without grumbling or complaining.

A Busy Weekend

This past Saturday, our family had a very busy weekend! It started off with a road race, and ended with a dance recital. Here are some pictures and captions from our day:

Ben and I decided to run a 5k together and hopefully beat our previous records for speed. Here we are before the race started.

All lined up and ready to go!

And finally starting!

We ended up doing the first mile at an 8 minute pace which was a bit faster than we had originally wanted to do, so we slowed down a bit.

Rounding the bend before the finish line.

There’s a bit of a story behind this picture. Since we had never run in this race before, we didn’t know the course. We thought it ended in front of a particular building. So we sprinted up to where we thought was the finish line. But to our dismay, we realized that  we had to run around the parking lot first, which was almost a quarter mile. So we were absolutely exhausted when this picture was taken!

And here we are at the end. Our finish times were in the 26-minute range, with Ben finishing just a little before me. We both beat our previous times and I ended up winning in my age division. We were both very happy!

While Ben and I ate some of the many breakfast treats offered after the race, Josiah enjoyed playing in the bounce house.

We came home, showered, and relaxed for the rest of the morning and afternoon. Well, not really. Ben mowed the lawn, and the twins and I decided to go on a 5k bike ride. In hindsight I’m not sure that this was the smartest thing to do in between a 5k road race and a dance recital, but I felt great at the time! Then it was time for us to get ready for the dance recital.

When we girls take over the bathroom, we really take over! J

Before. . .

. . .and after. All dressed up and ready to go!

When we arrived at the church, we changed into our dresses and Jewish-style vests. Then we enjoyed a cookie social with the guests before the performance.

The purpose of this performance was to raise money for a local Christian outreach center. There were several choirs and singers performing as well as our dance troupe. It was a lot of fun and the event raised over $3,000!

Beginning our Jewish dance, “Praise is Awaiting You.”

Close to the finish of the dance. I love our dresses!

Me, Roma, Rubia, and two of the girls from our class after the performance.

We had a very fun weekend as I’m sure you can tell! We look forward to future road races and dance recitals!

A Weekend Birthday Celebration

A couple of weekends ago, my Abuela and Abuelo came up to visit. My Grandpa recently had a birthday, so we decided to have a celebration together!

I set the table quite fancy for his birthday dinner. I love finding reasons to pull out the fine china!

The centerpiece.

My Grandma served up delicious sancocho with rice for our meal. We also had avocado slices, maduros, and crusty French and Italian bread. Muy Delicioso!

The twins and Josiah enjoying dinner.

My Abuelo getting ready to blow out all of his candles.

For dessert we had Pineapple-Orange Cream Cake and chocolate strawberries and grapes left over from our sibling tea party the day before.

It was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Then my Abuelo opened his present from our family after reading his card.

He was very surprised to find the game “Aggravation!” He had played this game with friends earlier in the year and kept talking about how much fun he had, so we thought it would make a good present. He was very excited to teach it to all of us!

On Sunday after church, we all went out for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Here, Bia and Josiah wait for our lunch to arrive.

Mother and Son together.

When we got home, we played “Aggravation.” Only four people played the game at first, but everyone else got involved with debating the rules. The game is similar to “Trouble.” I think “Aggravation” is the original game and “Trouble” is the simplified kid’s version.

I like “Aggravation” better because it’s more aggravating. J

We had lots of fun visiting with my Grandparents, and were sorry they had to leave on Monday. But we look forward to seeing them again soon!

Sibling Tea Party

Back on September 16, we had a sibling tea party! I had been planning it for around a week, and really enjoyed putting the party together as a way to celebrate the coming of fall with my siblings. Here are some pictures from our special day:

I had lots of fun digging through the china hutch and using a lot of pretty servingware that we normally don’t use.

The finished table, all set and ready for high tea!

A close-up of the individual place settings.

The zinnias from my garden adorned each napkin quite nicely.

One of the most important aspects of a tea party: a beautiful tea pot.

Our tea menu.

A bouquet of zinnias adorning the middle of the table.

For our first course we enjoyed egg salad sandwiches. . .

. . .cheese and crackers. . .

. . .and lots of tea! J

The twins look quite serious in this picture, but we really had a very fun time. In fact, Ben kept us in stitches most of the time. It’s not completely proper to be giggling during a tea party, but we couldn’t help it!

Josiah getting ready to help himself to some food.

Some of the cheeses we enjoyed were Brie (far left), Dill Havarti (center), and Colby (right.)

Ben enjoying his tea. You can see the hutch with the food in the background.

Our second course was scones with butter, strawberry jam, and violet jelly. Scones don’t typically have green sprinkles, but I wanted them to be festive.

The third course was all of the desserts.

One of my favorite treats was the chocolate covered fruit. The chocolate covered strawberries were especially delicious.

A plate of cream cheese mints.

Brigadier Truffles.

We also had rosemary cookies among our other dainty treats.

And finally, we had Plantation Gingerbread with homemade whipped cream. A wonderful ending to a wonderful tea party! I really enjoyed spending such special time with my siblings, and we will remember this tea party for many years to come!

Sunday Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:…

…He restoreth my soul.”

Psalm 23:1-3

(posted by Betsy)