First Camping Trip

We finally took Nathaniel on his first camping trip! The Borcks were nice enough to let us come along on their family trip and share a campsite. We all had a wonderful time, especially Nathaniel. His energy continually amazes us. Of course it helped that he had 2 good friends to play with. :)

It was about 37 degrees that morning when we woke up.

Ready for our hike!

Notice that he wants to run everywhere.

Happy friends!

Anointing with Oil

The other night we were reading Nathaniel's children's Bible before bed. It condenses the Bible into very short segments with pictures. We were reading about Samuel anointing David's head with oil when David was chosen as the next king. Nathaniel was very curious about why they were pouring oil on his head, and especially interested in the picture of David getting oil poured on his head. We explained that a long, long time ago it used to be a blessing, or a good thing.

Nathaniel thought about it a while and said that oil was supposed to go in cakes, not people's heads. We couldn't help laughing. I told him that was true. One of his favorite books, the 5 Little Monkeys Bake a Cake, describes how to make a cake. Nathaniel remembered that oil was one of the ingredients. Therefore, he was very perplexed about the oil on the head.

This morning in church they studied the same story. And were coloring a picture about it. I was volunteering in the baby area next door, and could hear him asking his teacher why they were pouring oil on David's head. I heard her tell him that it was a very good question, but then I got busy and didn't hear the rest of their exchange. On the way home I asked him about it, and he said that pouring oil on someone's head wasn't very nice. I just agreed and we'll have to leave it at that. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Nathaniel's last day of school before Thanksgiving, he came out to the car wearing this hat. It was so cute! I wish I'd had my camera with me. Here we are Thanksgiving morning, and he is wearing the pilgrim hat again. While eating oatmeal.

We are so thankful for Nathaniel and the many other blessings we have. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Random November Stuff

Here are a few shots from November that I grouped together. The first one is Nathaniel playing with some putty. He has made a "monster hand."

Some early morning reading on a weekend with the dogs.

The new Thomas hat that one of our friends bought for Nathaniel.

Train Museum

A couple of weeks ago, Neena and Pops came for a visit. We had a great time. We all went to the train museum in Galveston the first morning they were here. The first few shots are of the old train depot. They have done a terrific job in restoring it. It is absolutely beautiful.

I love this shot. Precious.

In the mail car. The cars that had been restored were amazing.

Every time we try to get a picture together, someone doesn't look.

The model train and little city were impressive.

Last of all, some reading with Pops when we came home. I should have gotten more pictures from the visit, but we were busy and having a fun time.

Noah's Ark

At our Bible Study this week, we did the story of Noah's Ark. I happened to find this Noah's ark at a resale shop, and I couldn't resist buying it for Nathaniel. It was supposed to be a Christmas present, but I decided to give it to him early.  :) I couldn't resist. He has had a lot of fun with it. For some reason he has really liked the giraffes.

Big Halloween Post

Some more Halloween shots. Last weekend when I went to workout at the YMCA they were having a fall festival. We joined in the fun. The best parts were the balloon sword and the monster hand.

We painted pumpkins together last week.

Such a serious little painter! My sweet artist.

At school with Brooklyn

Copying Brooklyn's Peter Pan pose

with friend Ian

With Ian and Leo

His class getting ready to trick-or-treat in the church hallways.

Our finished pumpkins.

Nathaniel's finished pumpkin. I only helped with the eyes and mouth.

These are before we went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. I wanted one of me and my sweet boy, but he wasn't interested in posing. Obviously.

Happy Halloween from the Deckers!