So here is a quick edit to show some of Judah and his teammates playing in a game.

Kick It

Well not last week but the week before we spent a week away in our old home Oregon. We spent some time with our good friends, Ben and Rebbecca Malmin, and had a blast! We also got to see the sisters, Rachel, and Rebbecca and a great surprise was to hang out with Daniel. We all went to the Portland zoo together where I forgot my camera, so I don't have any cool pictures to share with you. The reason for our trip was a wedding. Our dear friend Sam Deese was getting married to the sweet Renae! We were so excited for them, and Aaron had the privileged and honor of being a groomsmen. So Aaron and I parted ways and he headed for Eugene for the wedding while the kids and I held back in Portland till Friday! We met up again in Eugene for the wedding...and can I just say it was a really cool, upbeat and fun wedding. I always think my wedding was the best, but theirs was up there! The day after the wedding Judah got the surprise of a life time. My son has been indoctrinated into being a Oregon Duck fan...hilarious!!! So while we were in Eugene there happened to be a Duck Game and his grandparents happened to have tickets so Judah happened to be at the duck stadium when they showed up with his tickets. It was a great day with Dad, and Grandparents! He had so much fun, and I am sure at some point Aaron will add a video or two and or some pictures of the experience.

Now this last week we had a lot of firsts going on, and hope to get some pictures of that as well!
Judah had his first guitar lesson with the amazing guitar teacher of Ryan Horn who claims that Judah is smarter and picking it up faster then he thought...funny huh after one lesson. He is a smart guitar teacher! Alyx also had her first ballet lesson in which she was so adorable and loving every miniute of it! I would like to say she is a natural...at listening to her teacher anyway...but more than anything else she looks ultra cute in her little leatard! Next first was Judah's first soccer game. Judah has decided that his favortie sport to watch is football, and his favorite sport to play is soccer. So he is playing soccer and watching football. We stood on the sidelines and cheered our little guy on to a 5-2 victory with 2 goals scored by our little man. Can you say super proud parents! This is where you could get sucked in...the dreams you begin to build for you children...a pro soccer player and a prima balarina...yikes...I can see why some get so obsessed...it's definatly tempting! We will hopefully have pictures of all of that up soon as well.

Then this last weekend we spent it with our dear friends the Oettels at my family cabin in Monarch! We had so much fun, and stayed up way to late, and was woken way to early! But we took pictures, played games, roasted marshmellows, and made mint brownies and an amazing tri tip on the charcoal grill. It was a blast!

Something funny and kind of insane...I was talking to Judah and let him know that he was a super star at soccer! I was teasing him about how tired he was getting at the end of the game and mentioned that he needed to go running with his mommy to build endurance. Then we went home and continued the day! Before bed he came to me and asked me if he could go running with me in the morning before school...I was like...huh???do I do this...is this good or bad or huh??? I was like are you serious Judah? You really want to go. So yesterday and this morning my son and I ran walked a mile together. He is so fun to "work out" with, it doesn't even feel like working out. He just joggs along and chats up a storm it's so fun! He actually woke me up this morning to go. This could actually be the start of something really fun and healthy, and well just a great time with my son. We walk when he needs too, and run fast when he wants too, and he is just excited to be out there working on improving his endurance. I think my son is from a different planet...he truly amazes me with his simplicity of life, passion, and well frankly discipline. So I will keep you up to date to see if this lasts...well at least until the snow flies, or it gets to cold!

Well I should say this weekend was good! I can't say it was great because it was missing a really important someone! Aaron...he was busy shooting a wedding, not sleeping and working, while the kids and and I kicked it at the Cabin with my Mom, and her two friends Diane and Mikie. Later my Dad, Sue, Michelle, Bebbs, Gavin, Grace, Bev, and Jessa all came to hang out. From what I remember Mikie's neice even came and brought a couple of friends too. It was a great time of hanging out and having fun. I got some great pictures of the kids and I in a fun special place. All taken on my point and shoot! We hiked, made suncatchers, played in the crick, rode bikes, and much much more! It was a great time to hang out with my family - parents, kids, and friends!







See more on our Flickr HERE

So yesterday I turned 30 and I thought maybe I should have taken some land mark photo's of myself during that day...Maybe I will in a week or two, I have a lot going on. Just wanted to make a comment about turning 30...they say...or so I have heard that 30 is the new 20 and 40 is the new 30...however I don't know what that is suppose to mean...but I am sure someone can explain it to me. I am feeling more like an adult everyday, and further then my youth then normal...I feel like I will known as Judah & Alyx's mom then Nicole soon, so I decided, I would embrace my new found 30 year old maturity. I started out today with a little Crossfit, where I devoured my time last week at a similar work out. If Jeff and Kern are reading this, I told you this morning I am coming to get you...however I will have to do a burpee the real way to really say I am stronger and faster! That includes the big jump at the end! uhhhggg! Anyways my thought on 30 is that I feel older, less relateable (to young people), but more mature...one of those birthdays that actually made me feel older...I am sure none of the following is true...but it is what it is. By my 40th I plan to be older...(no doubt) but in the best physical shape of my life. I am on my way and diligence, perseverance, and discipline are my friends! I wanted to say thanks to my mom for making my 30th so special, and all that helped me celebrate. I appreciate all the Happy Birthdays on Facebook! Seriously thanks so much!
We (Judah, Alyx, an I) are off to my cabin this weekend(Aaron has to work...double time actually), where I will be bringing my trusty point and shoot, so the quality will not be so good, but maybe the content will be fun! Have a great Labor Day!

Ok so here it is! Judah and Alyx's first day of school...well kind of Alyx started a week ago, but we forgot to take pictures! Judah's starting the 1st grade and he is super excited! Alyx's first week at 1/2 preschool has been great! Her teacher has mentioned she is more like Judah then we know! That one kinda through me through a loop. I am assuming it's the good behavior and wanting to be the leader thing that makes them so much alike. Still I can't believe that my little man is a 1st grader, and that Alyx has gone from my baby to my little girl. You can find their "1st day of School pictures" by following this link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/themcadamfamily/ Hopefully there will be more to come!

Ok Seriously sorry, we totally said we would try to keep this thing up to date for family and friends who would really like to see what is going on in a more detailed way. For sure I will start now. I will not let you down this time.
So....
Let's See we will go from youngest to oldest...bring you up to speed and then hopefully just update as life proceeds forward.
Alyx - BIG news! She accepted Jesus Christ this week and it was so exciting. Aaron led her in prayer in our basement before she escaped the heat for bed time! She was so excited and eyes lit up! It has been a blessing for Aaron and I to pray with our kids to receive Christ! Anyways that is the best news of all, however the over all Alyx is still very much princess! Everyone who knows her knows she is still in love with big dresses, shiny jewelry, sparkly shoes, and everything girl. She asks for “mommy’s lip stuff” other wise known as lip gloss almost every other day. She has her own but for some reason mine is “much more better” she says. Alyx just finished swimming lessons where she started out in level 1 and she did a great job…she will graduate to level 2 next summer and learn to swim on her own for a short amount of time. Things she is loving this summer is the pool, sprinkler, riding her bike, painting her nails and summer dresses. She still would prefer to wear a dress everyday instead of shorts and a t-shirt. I honestly don’t know where she got it. She is growing up faster than I thought possible! She will start 5 day preschool this year, and excited to be able to finally go to school everyday. She asks everyday “how many more days till I get to go to school” even though she really has no concept of time.
Judah – He is working his way toward the 1st grade! Yikes, that in itself is enough to shock us all! He is brilliant and is so kind and loving. He has his father’s sweet spirit with others and his mother’s determination at home! He is a master at coming up with his own way, and not so brilliant at figuring out it doesn’t happen all that often with out obedience first. Judah also finished up swimming lessons and will get to participate in level 2 again with his sister. Maybe a little friendly sibling competition will help him concentrate on getting his face in the water! We will see, let’s just say he is not our next Ryan Phelps! He is technologically brilliant and has mastered the X Box at the age of 6. Um…should I even say that…he is now limited to an hour a day…as it is he would like he would play all day! Judah also had an interesting experience at the dentist this year. Turns out he was born with really bad teeth and it’s just that way. He had 10 teeth pulled, and only 4 are untouched as of now the other are all crowned! Ahh…it was sad, and emotional for him, but he is doing fine now. He lost pretty much all of his front teeth, but has figured out to eat one of his favorite foods, corn on the cob, without them. He has adjusted! He has quite the lisp now, and told everyone how the tooth fair left him sthix dollars and sthixty sthix stenths – interpretation – six dollars and sixty six cents.
Aaron – Well he is still at the Red Cross, but working as diligently as possible to get Eikon Media Productions up and running! You can check out the website at http://eikonproductions.com/ if you are interested! He is waiting on God to see how seriously we are supposed to be working on this project. He is actively participating as one of the main worship leaders at GFCC and is still involved with the youth group (Generation Church) as well. He has a funky schedule so it only allows him to be there half of the time. He has his hands full with those responsibilities, and being a dad, and husband!
Nicole - Well sense I am writing this I will reference Nicole as I. I am still the Administrative Assistant at GFCC and totally blessed to have such an amazing job! The church is amazing with their flexibility, and willing to work with such a busy person! I love to be able to work within the gifts that God has given me and to use those gifts to benefit the church has been more than I could imagine. I am still working on being a good mother and wife while maintaining a full time job. It has been a challenge, and I am sure I fail often, but I try! Through some of the time that we have set aside for God this year, I am in love with reading. So if any of you have any really good books you would like to recommend to me that would be awesome! Reading has truly changed my life in more ways than I could put down on paper.

So that is what I could think of for now. I will try to do more weekly updates, and have Aaron add pictures as we go!

Ok so we wanted to sum up the last month or more to let you know what we have been up too. Life as we know it here is now normal…and now we are on our way out. It’s crazy to think that we have lived in Mexico for three months, but it is true, and it has been a great opportunity that God has given us. We are blessed to live in this amazing city with some of the most amazing people. A final letter will follow up about our trip completely, once we have crossed the border.

But this letter is about the last month or so summed up of course. Some highlights that will be included in this summary will be the “Bull fight” if you want to call it that, Alyx’s birthday on 5-5-07, and just recently Africam. Some daily updates will follow up at the end. So if you were wondering if this was worth reading…there is a small index for you of the upcoming literature…if you want to call it that.

“Bull Fight”
I am completely shocked that they would call this a “bull fight” yeah sure the men put their life on the line….well kind of, but for those of you who are in love with this kind of thing, or actually honor the tradition….I am completely sorry, because I am going to shred the concept at this moment. We bought tickets with this knowledge in mind….there is a bull, red capes, and men in ring, and at the end the bull dies. Let’s see, we know that if we would have gotten all of the information on this so called “Bull fight” we probably would not have gone. But I will explain this event to you in colorful steps. READY
1. Lots of men in amazingly colorful glittery spandex come out and everyone cheers…yeah.
2. Then they all hide behind these things in the ring on the outside except one real fighter. The bull is let loose and they wave their little cloths behind the security of the wall, except one guy who stays near one. The bull is complete healthy and trained to run around this ring and charge at these cloths and there is white dots to guide the way for him. This we find to be the only somewhat exciting part.
3. A man wearing armor, full armor on his legs and lower body comes out on a horse that is seriously padded on one side with a spear, that is correct folks spear….um…a part we were not informed of. The man goes out and is job is to stab the bull in-between the shoulders and injure him and make him bleed A LOT!!!!! When he is done the bull runs around with a big hole in his back, and the blood is like… spurting out. Um…this was not in the introduction to “Bull fighting”….and in case you were wondering while the bull is getting stabbed the horse is being rammed by the bull…padded of course…but come on…..people.
4. Then two different men have these two little gadget thingies that have hooks in them and the bull charges them right after he has been stabbed, and they try and stick those hooks in his gaping hole. Ouch four or six I can’t remember…..Mann…are you guys thinking this would be fun? Nate, do not even answer.
5. So after this bull has been tortured….halfway dead….the “brave” bull fighter comes out for a show….PLEASE. A few “oles” (o-lays) here and there and then he hauls out his sword….and when the bull can hardly stand anymore he waves his little red cloth again, the bull slowly charges, and he sticks him in this “tiny” area in which the bull stands around for about 30sec….to a couple min and then falls down dead. Except when they miss and the sword comes out and they have to do it like 4 or 5 times to kill the thing. Ok folks this was not just once, or twice, three, four, or five times folks but that’s right 6 times…..six tortured dead bulls in one night….this was not in the informational packet. Ok so just so all know…they do sell the meat so this is totally humane right? So now if you are ever in Mexico you will be fully informed of what you are getting yourself into. We stayed till the end hoping one of those animal jerks would get trampled or something…I know cruel huh…but no luck. If you’re interested pictures are above.

Next, a much more cheerful event….Alyx’s B-day.

Here it is a big deal…Cinco de Mayo, but we didn’t celebrate it at all…no parade just a party for Alyx. There are millions of people all crowed around to see a bazillion schools walk by with there bands and somewhat floats…don’t really know…we didn’t go. Instead we went to a place in one of the malls here. It has a princess store where they do the girls make up and hair and take pictures…it’s really fun, so for Alyx’s B-Day we took her there with our friends daughter and they did that together it was fun and they looked so adorable. Pictures above are above. We did that…then Aaron took real pictures, and we headed off to lunch at a place where they have a sit down restaurant with play place for the kids. It was fun, and relaxing…the ones with the play place always are. We headed over to our friends house for a good old fashion piñata that Alyx choose….little mermaid. However the little girls had a hard time smashing it…so it was all Judah. He had a great time, while the girls were almost in tears…it was funny. The candy came out…and they all collected, and then it was time for cake and presents. Then the kids played all day at our friends’ house….it was great, and Alyx got to look like a little princess all day. They were all exhausted by the end.

Next, Africam

Africam is a place where you drive through in your car and animals surround you. It is really cool. All different kinds of animals, some you have to leave your windows up, and some they can be down. Then they have a kind of walk through zoo part, which was really great too. We went with our friends this last weekend and had a blast, and so did all the other kids. We had 6 in all….it was a ton of fun. Pictures above…it was really cool place.

Ok so over all we are still doing great and preparing for the trip back. Not all is in stone yet, but for those of you expecting us we will be getting a hold of you all soon with dates. Aaron’s web site is up and running it looks amazing…..you can go to www.eikonproductions.com and check it out. Spanish is coming along, I can have a decent conversation with most Mexicans if they talk a little slower for me….but it is good. Aaron’s has improved a lot; Judah is still resistant, but not as much. Alyx is doing great…and we are looking forward to establishing Spanish at home and English everywhere else…she is getting a little confused, and other than that it’s life here in Mexico pretty normal. We leave this Saturday and are looking forward to the future and what God has in store. We are excited to see everyone that we can and we will talk to you soon. Love you all and have a fantastic week.