December Moments

 December was full for us, as it was for most of you!  It is now January 17, and I am finally attempting to blog some highlights from last month!  Here we are having fun as a family of 6 for Emily's first swim!

A tiny disclaimer to ask your forgiveness for my lull in blogging (and thanks to you who have been checking if I have put up anything new!)--I DID try a handful of times to post, and the internet was slow, or the picture wouldn't load, or I couldn't even sign on to blogger.  My excuses, yes, I know, but truly it can be a defeating thing for me to plan on blogging and then have some internet delay.

ALSO I did post some albums on my facebook page of these events, so if you want to see more go see Jessica's Facebook album.

Here we are visiting the Japanese Tunnels from 1942 with our friends.

Our first family of 6 mini-vacation to Eden--we were thankful to have 2 nights at a mountain cabin near our city.  (Mountain does not mean snow--it just means getting higher than sea level for a cooler breeze!).

The Becker guys are ready to go on the big zipline!  Even Luke was a brave little guy.

Love the Philippines!  Cool trees, fun to climb.  Thanks, Lord, for time in Your creation!

Fun to fish for lunch!  Each boy caught a fish, and then they cooked it for us to eat!

We did other fun things like ride horses, go on the ziplines, I rode the sky-cycle, and Nate took the boys hiking and swimming while I napped with Emily.  See the album on Facebook for more.

4 Becker Kids all piled up.  Fun!  Elijah-5; Malachi-4; Luke-2; Emily--6 months.

Finally, on January 6 Emily turned 6 months!  Elijah wanted to be the first one to feed her "real food".  Fun brothers!  What a precious little doll.

Let us stay connected this 2014!  Thanks for your prayers for our family and for your friendship.

The Beckers 6--Birthday Photo Shoot

 For my birthday present I asked the fam to do a fun photo shoot with me!  I planned the whole wardrobe around this one outfit that my sister, Sarah Emily, gave to her namesake Emily.  I praised God for a fun day and great weather (and lighting).  I also praise God for my family and for 34 years of life!

 Here are some of our favorites--but there are LOTS of good ones!  Two of our favorites are being used for this blog--notice the new header and the new profile picture to the right.

 Buff brothers.

 "Don't Mess With Her".  Protective older brothers!

 My romantic, loving husband!

My favorite, favorite one!!  This one got printed and framed for the piano.

Thanks to Elise, our photographer!  GREAT JOB!  I recommend her.  See her blog:

http://lightonmylens.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-b-family.html

A Day at the Beach

 October break is here, so we've been enjoying more family time.  Tuesday we got to spend a great day at the beach with each other and with our friends.  I loved watching Malachi and Elijah bonding more as friends.  Luke is Papa's little buddy.

 Emily and I were in the shade most of the time.  We had to get a few photos of her in the sand!

 I love my children!  Thank you, Lord, for each one.

 Buko shake time!  Buko is coconut.  They made a lovely shake and served it in the big buko.  Take turns, guys!

 The Beckers 6!  We sat on this same one when I was pregnant with Luke...now we are 6!  (I'm proud of Elijah's 5-year-old friend, Silas, who took this photo for us!).

Ice cream on the beach is a fun treat!

Family Times: Dates, Biking and Hiking

Nate and I enjoyed a lovely date one evening, just the 2 of us!

 We got tickets to a local music festival, which was excellent!  These musicians pictured are married from Romania.  Mom, I thought you would especially like the passion this guy plays the fiddle with.  Very entertaining!

 This was the best cello quartet I have ever heard.  I was so soothed by the music, it felt almost like I had received a full massage--relaxing!  Perfect ending.

 The boys love to bike, so these are an answer to prayer.  It is funny how the Lord answered our prayers.  The one Elijah is riding here we saw for $5 at a yard sale!  Then we prayed for another one.  We saw a bunch of bikes in someone's back yard, and when we stopped to see the possibilities for borrowing one, it turned out the lady went to our church!  Then we found 2 helmets for sale at the goodwill (E is not shown wearing his!).  Hours of fun.  Thank you, Lord, for answering prayers!

CLICK TO SEE MORE FAM PICS, INCLUDING A HIKE IN THE PA GRAND CANYON

Watkins Glen--Family Day in NY State

 After our road trip East, we had a bonding day at Watkins Glen State Park in New York, just a short drive from our base in Northern PA.  Here are the guys ready for the hike!

 Here's the fam, Nate's parents, and the Beckers 5 (so make that Beckers 7!).  It was a perfect day with great weather, strong bodies to hike and wonderful memories.

 I reached down to grab a walking stick for Malachi, but almost grabbed this instead!  Ah!  A snake eating a frog!  Ewww!  Some of you may wish I hadn't posted that, but for others it will be your favorite picture.  We have to keep the male audience interested you know!

 Here is the beautiful scenery!  Apparently there are 19 waterfalls!

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS!

Family Mems in OH and PA

 Nate's sister, also named Jessica, and I!  She is expecting her 3rd son also!  Fun cousins for our 3 boys!

 Malachi and his 2 little cousins feeding the ducks together.  Buddies!

 Nate pushes E and M through the park.  Such great parks in America!

 Malachi is such a fun boy.

 On the road heading through Pittsburgh, PA.  The boys did better than I thought they would.  Praise God for that!  Keep praying for our travels and visits =)

 At Grandma and Grandpa Becker's house in North-western smalltown, PA.  Fun tractor rides with the grandkids.  CLICK TO SEE MORE PICTURES, INCLUDING SOJO's VISIT!

Ohio---Becker Blast--30 Pics

 For one week we stayed with 5 couples and 5 little kids in this cottage at Maumee Bay State Park in Ohio.  It is bigger inside than it looks outside, though it can be a challenge to sleep under one roof.  Nate's parents were gracious to sleep in the living room!

 It was a joyous reunion--the last one was in 2008 when Elijah was only 2 months old. Now there are 5 grandsons (Grandpa Becker is peeking out below).  This is one of the grandfathers that Luke's middle name, Robert, was named after.  Nate is on the left, Stephen (his bro) in the middle and Tim (his bro-in-law) on the Right.  Malachi pictured also.

 Here's the whole clan!  What a loving family!  We had family devotions and dinner each night.  Then we did various other activities during the week.

CLICK "READ MORE" TO SEE MORE FAMILY PICS FROM OHIO!

American Experiences

 Nate had an awesome time with his college buddies hiking and camping in the Grand Canyon!

 Elijah discovered that he LOVES biking around all the smooth cement sidewalks in Omaha.  How fun to have time with his uncles too (here Uncle Micah)!

 Uncle Daniel gave Elijah the experience of playing with a "nice" dog, Jack.  I had trained my boys that  we cannot trust the dogs in the Philippines, so they were happy to meet one that was trained.

 Uncle Daniel reads bed-time stories with his nephews!  Precious moments in America!

 Grandma takes the boys to the zoo!  So many new experiences!

 Luke discovers a real shark.

We love the beautiful parks and landscaping all around the city of Omaha!  So many places to go and things to do and see.  Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!