Mighty Mighty Obwalds

A Strage Halloween this year

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:19:00 +0000

This year was a weird Halloween. On the Friday before Halloween Grammie invited us over to the Windam for their festivities. Grammie was so excited to have the girls over. It was hard to be missing grandpa as we toured the place trick-o-treating.

Jenna was Princess Diana on her wedding day

I got her hair up and it stayed

Kirra was Jackie Kennedy

she's such a beauty

That ended up being the only time they got to dress up since we had a field trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium on Halloween. Cohl missed out altogether because he had soccer practice when we went to Grammie's. He wasn't too bummer.

The Big Fresno Fair

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:13:00 +0000

So after last year I said I would not go back for another Girl Scout patch...

well that didn't last.

Here we are, three little girls and one mommy with a very heavy backpack

full of water bottles. I am not about to spend $6 for one water.

Here is the girl's one treat.

We visited our friend's sheet in the Live Stock Pavilion.

Which head belongs to which sheep?

a little baby pig racing, one of my favorites

After 6 hours, we saw many things, consumed some fair food, smelled fair smells and left with one large patch for the vest.

'Til next year I guess :)

quill & ink

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

we have been studying early America for the past few months

one of the projects we were presented with was making our own ink from berries

and writing with a feather

(just like they did for writing the Declaration of Independence,

they may not have used berries)

it was so cool the kids really got into it

it worked really well

they all loved it

and so did I

Exploration Day::Woodward Park Field Trip

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:17:00 +0000

the kids are scoping out the creek that runs through Woodward Park (near the Japanese Garden)

even Karlie go to come

Cohl is mid-jump across the creek

they had a great time IN the creek

we talked about water flow

did a rub of leaves we found

and did a few sketches of what we saw

we followed the creek all the way through the park to the "lake"

{a fun time had by all}

some school projects

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:43:00 +0000

with our curriculum we have done some really fun projects so far

we made butter while studying the pioneers from Holland that came to North America

we discovered that adding salt to water can make thing float

we learned about the first explorations of North America and these famous ships

we are having so much fun and look forward to what's next

Cohl is 8

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:34:00 +0000

We are so excited to celebrate 8 years with our Cohly...what a guy!

He is already growing into such a responsible, confident and fun guy!

Here are some oldie but goodie pics of our guy from the FPU days.

Cohl's current interests are playing chess, swimming, playing soccer, wrestling with anyone who will let him, battling with Beyblades, playing the Wii and watching episodes of Bear Grills, Beyblades, The Pink Panther and The Cosby Show.

We love you so much Cohl and look forward to what God has in store for you this year!

Off to a GREAT start!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:12:00 +0000

{we are starting our third week of school but I wanted to share this funny story

from a few weeks ago}

such a funny story...we are doing homeschool again this year and I threw the idea out that, "wouldn't it be funny to have uniforms..."

...well Kirra though that was a great idea and decided that her "First day of school" outfit was going to be a uniform. So of course Jenna wanted exactly what Kirra had and we just dressed Cohl with what he already had for the cute picture.

{so here is our crew, dog and all}

I guess she is our mascot :)

Basketball Camp @ FPU

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:09:00 +0000

Cohl was able to attend the FPU basketball camp this year

"Hendo"

he did so well!

and had a ton of fun!

Tie Dye Fun

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:05:00 +0000

we got to tie dye for the first time with friends the other day

what a treat...they all came out so great!

Girl Scout Camp

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Kirra's first year at Twilight Camp. They have it for a week in the evenings. The older girls did a great job leading.

lots of crafts...

lots of singing

(here is Kirra's leader, Sleeping Beauty. they have made up names for the whole week then reveal on the last night. her name is Bryn)

lots of teamwork

lots of friends

Graduate...again

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:34:00 +0000

precessional holding his hood

David with his parents after receiving his Master's Degree in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies from Fresno Pacific University

whoo hoo!!! hun you rock! way to perservere

the kids were pretty excited

getting hooded

that's him on stage being hooded

hooded

David's professors

The kids all tried on dad's hat in the courtyard where we used to live

those FPU days were awesome!

all 8 years :)

Griffith Park

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:10:00 +0000

train museum

huge old trains to view and go inside of

small train replica to ride around in

pony rides

Jenna and Cohl are on the trotting track but if you notice from the mane on Jenna's pony she is doing a bit more than trotting

(see short clip below)

Kirra took the walking trail

covered wagon ride

cute little Starbucks snack

those cakes on a stick are fun

Day at Sea World

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:56:00 +0000

the shows were amazing! the large sea mammals didn't seem real

this was a fun ride but I think the kids liked getting wet from others on the ride even more

baby croc, so cool

Jenna wasn't so sure about the large whale guy

such a fun time!

I have been talking to David about going down to Sea World since we got married

yay, check mark off the "I want to do that" list

Lots of Field Trips

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Thu, 19 May 2011 03:47:00 +0000

A Legoland must...

facepainting.

Kirra opted for angel this time

Jenna decided on the Candy Princess

It's Two-Face himself...

Cohl's turned out AMAZING!!

fun rides

fun times

thanks Nonno and Nonna!!

Margaret Hudson Field Trip

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:28:00 +0000

this is Kirra soaking up each word Margaret says when she first steps out

to meet with our group

i organized a field trip to Margaret Hudson's home and studio. it was by far our best field trip yet. I was so impressed that first of all we were at her private residence and were given a two hour tour and art lesson by her. she is about 90 years old and

does an amazing job with the kids.

she explained this painting as one she did when she woke up in a bad mood. she asked the kids what they did when they were in a bad mood, if they thought they would get in trouble for it and then gave them the idea to paint or draw when they feel like that and see what comes of it...instead of, let's say, hit their brother.

what a good alternative

these are her amazing, huge paintings. I never knew she also painted.

these are all amazing in person

here she is showing the kids how to make a print and explained that if she made 30 prints of this and handed one out to each kid that they are all unique so there would be 30 outcomes

even in her old age she is active

here she is explaining something having to do with baseball

a rose was picked from her garden the day before, she sketched it

then each child got to go up and use chalk pastels to add their own color to the flower

Cohl is there in the middle in the dark grey shirt

Kirra is in the purple tank top

Jenna, alone, last because she had a bad fall the day before and scraped her knee so I had to carry her that whole trip

then...Margaret signed it and we got to take it home

[what a treat}

the field trip continued to her gardens and outside amphitheater where each child got a demo from her and then their very own piece of clay to mold

what a great day!

Jenna

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:25:00 +0000

I just love this picture of Jenna. My littlest, sweetest girl.

donated

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:18:00 +0000

I have been wanting to grow and donate my hair for a long time

{no pun intended}

so after two conscious years of growing off it came

here is before and after

braided, ready to chop

all gone

I was very nervous to have short hair. It was a disaster the last time I got it cut short. But it was time and I feel 10 lbs. lighter

My hair went to Wigs for Kids

Easter 2011

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:11:00 +0000

making of our traditional Italian Easter Bread

see more pics on my "other" blog

www.limeandlove.blogspot.com

grandpa O'Hare and Cohl tackle Cohl's new 300 piece puzzle

this was right before most of us crashed for a nap

three kiddos after they found the Easter eggs in the yard

no candy this year, just coins to take to Legoland

so fun to get together

cousins kids

this is Kirra, Breanna and Jenna at the Coit Easter

they just call each other cousin...it's easier that way

fun had by all

so much that I didn't take many pictures

most patient dog :: part two

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:52:00 +0000

this shirt she actually seems to like.

when Kirra gets it out she comes running and sits in front of Kirra

while she gets it ready to put on

too bad for Karlie that the Build-a-Bear clothes are just about the right size. The girls brought Karlie to me the other day with the complete outfit of shirt, skirt, underwear and backpack.

the most patient dog

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:30:00 +0000

for those of you who don't know, we got a dog as a Christmas present to our three kiddos this past year.

they were, and still are, over the moon about this little pooch

luckily we have

the most patient dog on the planet

check out this funny photo

seriously...

note to self...

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:39:00 +0000

...if your butane lighter is leaking...DON'T use it

the other day I was lighting a candle and the whole thing burst into flames right in my hand. it was leaking just a bit but I thought I would try it one more time.

when it went up in flames I tossed it into the dish drainer, then didn't know if it was one of those oil fire and water thing where it just gets bigger so I threw my flour on it...it was out then relit 'cause the butane was still in there and on fire

so I took it out to the lawn in my now empty flour bin while I went back to tend the fire in my dish drainer.

my new place mat was on fire

this is the result

no damage to any person or the kitchen thank goodness!!

it was pretty scarry

Kirra @ Kiwanis

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Girl Scout, Kirra, made a special visit to the Kiwanis Club with my dad. She got the pick out the ticket for the drawing...

...she also lead the whole group, about 60 adults, in the Pledge of Allegiance from the podium on the microphone. I almost cried. She did an amazing job. I thought she was about to burst into tears but instead said, "Will you please join me in the flag salute. I pledge...

Kirra sitting by Grandpa O'Hare at lunch

she got decked out for the occasion

about half was through she leaned over to me and said, "I want to join mom."

it was membership month

haha, what a sweet girl

green girls

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:12:00 +0000

we had some time before dinner to have a few laps around the block and Kirra comes out with a bag for trash...she's ready to beautify the neighborhood

Jenna always quick behind grabs a bad too and we're off

the girls each collected trash and bits of things that "don't belong in nature"

it took us 30 minutes to make it around our street. there are only about 10 houses per street so you can imagine their attention to detail.

**this pic is at the end of their collection**

Samonian Farms

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:03:00 +0000

right near us in southeast Fresno is this awesome place...

each kid picked out their favorite old train or machine to stand by

all I could think of was how much my grandpa would LOVE this place

we must have been there for almost 2 hours

it was like a field trip and we came home with fresh fruit

check it out...Jensen and Clovis (I think :)

Kirra's Ace of Cakes party

noreply@blogger.com (The Obwald family) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:13:00 +0000

Each girl decorated their own small cake

aprons on, ready to frost...they had the best time!