Our Adopted Grandmothers

The Ladies class at church has adopted my children as their TCK's to pray for. By far, my kids are the luckiest in the world. I know without a shadow of a doubt that they pray for my family every day and they definitely spoil them rotten. Before we left, they had a party for the kids. It was a fun afternoon. Shelby Grace and Zachary did a great job showing off for them and entertaining them by being the center of attention.

Shelby Grace has finally found a 'blanket' to attach to but they are not blankets but washcloths. My child is strange.

Playing with Ms. Margaret

Zachary created this game us everyone to play- balancing a plate on your head and walking across the room. The ladies loved it and joined in too.

Go Mrs. Jackie!

Whoops! You didn't make it as far as me says Zachary.

Go Ms. Margaret!

I love how Zachary had to walk beside each lady to help her out. :)

Present time! My kids are spoiled!

Thank you ladies for loving on my kids and prayign for us each day. We love you all very much and miss you dearly. See you next summer!

A visit from special friends

Shortly before we left for Korea we had a surprise visit from some dear friends, the DeWitts. It was a short 15 hour visit but was wonderful to catch with them. Zachary loved having Aaron around to play wii and fight swords with. He and Aaron even share a special name after a special boy. Below you see Aaron Zachary and Zachary Keona.

Boys will be boys no matter what their age!

Swimming Lessons #2

When we got back from the lake, Zachary got to take his second class of swimming lessons and this time without mommy. I was so proud of all that he accomplished on his own and conquering fears in the water. Though we haven't gotten past going under the water. I'm pretty proud of what he accomplished this summer.

Weekend at the Lake

We got to spend a weekend up at High Rock Lake at my uncle's lake house. We haven't been since Zachary was a baby. It was so nice to have a relaxing weekend at the lake before the chaos of packing began. Uncle Rackley, Aunt Vicky, Uncle John, and Aunt Patricia joined us on Saturday too. We had a great time together watching the kids experience the lake for the first time.

Riding on the boat- It was so relaxing it would put Shelby Grace to sleep even in a big ole life jacket.

Playing badminton with Papa

All done! That spaghetti was yummy!

Swimming time

Swinging on the porch and watching the boats go by

Zachary finally got to fish with grandma. He was so excited.

Patrick had also never been fishing before. He found a new hobby and mom found a new fishing partner. Patrick learning how to put a worm on a hook and even take the fish off the hook with his bare hands. I was pretty impressed for a first-timer.

Together again!

We had a wonderful time getting together with buddy Chase this summer. Can't wait to get together next summer when we will have two boys and two girls! These boys sure have grown into two handsome little ones. (Ok I know Zachary needs a hair cut something awful! It's on the to do list).

Mmm, mmm, good!

Swimming Lessons #1

Since we were finally staying in one place for awhile we decided to sign up Zachary for swimming lessons this summer. I was worried he would be afraid of the water still when we got to Raleigh but I hadn't thought of all the water time we would have before the lessons. Still the first class was a parent/child class. It was still fun to watch him get used to the water without his life jacket. We are still working on putting his head under water but overall I was pretty proud of him.

Mommy goes away for just a little while...

and look what Daddy does to me!

If you think I'm cute...

you should see my aunt!

Someone gave me a bunch of free clothes and this shirt was in there. I think it's pretty appropriate since Shelby Grace really does look like her Aunt's baby pictures. If she continues to take after her Aunt Sheri, I know she will be a beautiful little girl when she gets older. We love you Aunt Sheri!

Super Galactic Zach

The Wii- masters

Zachary loved the beach because he had a permanent Wii buddy at the house, Uncle John. He has been looking forward to playing Wii with John all year. It's so funny to watch how serious they are when they play.

Holden Beach 2009

Four days after we arrived in North Carolina we turned around and headed to Holden Beach for a week with my parents and aunt Patricia and uncle John. It was nice to start out with a relaxing week at the beach.

The Pinho family feet- Patrick, Zachary, Jennifer, Shelby Grace.

Zachary enjoyed splashing in the water and was really brave by the end of the week. He even went out past the breakers with his life jacket on. I have been learning that God has given me children to help conquer my own fears.


Personally I hate swimming in the ocean. There is too much swimming in there that I can't see that freaks me out a bit. I've had too many jellyfish stings that also traumatized my beach experience. My perfect vacation includes sitting and reading by the ocean with only my feet in the waves. But when you have kids who want to swim and get in the ocean and you are trying to help them conquer their own fears, you can't let your timidness hinder their bravery. I think I swam more in the ocean this year than I have in the past 5 years combined. And what did I learn? It's really not that bad when you don't think about it. Thanks Zachary for helping your Mommy overcome her own fears.
































Our other challenge for the week was keeping Shelby Grace from eating the sand and drinking the water. I am surprised that there was any beach left when went home at the end of the week. Even in her own little pool, Shelby Grace would use the splash balls to soak up the water.