Chuck’s grandfather passed along his Lionel trains to Chuck’s dad, who passed them along to Chuck. He hasn’t done much with them since his father’s death, nearly 5 years ago. But this Christmas he’s beginning to pass on his love for trains to his own children.

Brad was so excited, he asked Chuck to wake him up every morning before he leaves for work so they can run them together.

Chuck’s been collecting train sets since we’ve been married. He has a set for each child. I pray one day they sit around their tree with their own children, showing them how their daddy taught them to run the trains.

A few weeks ago, we had the Sons of Thunder father-son discipleship group and their families over for some good, clean fun.

It was full of targets and shooting,

serious propulsion,

and cyclonic fun!

Funny enough, the families all had Sonflower Sisters in them, too. Here are two original sisters, and dear friends, Phyliss and Juniper.

What a FUN day!

I was searching through old photos when I realized I never posted about Father’s Day.

Dad started his special day with the high-fat, high cholesterol, once-a-year breakfast in bed.

Then we whisked him away to see  Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian Imax version. Awesome!

We moseyed around The Avenue in the gorgeous weather,

popping in the dog store

to get a treat a treat for the fifth child we left at home.

When he’d thoroughly enjoyed his cup of Joe from Starbucks, we surprised him with a trip to Ridemakerz, where he made his own remote control car

so he can race the kids.

After a yummy grilled dinner, we all swam out back.

What a grand time for a great father. Happy Father’s Day, Chuck! Our childre are the most blessed in the world.

You can see it on their faces.

After their visit to the National Crime Museum, the boys drove over to the Smithsonian’s new National Air and Space Museum:  Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

It looks like a fantastic place!

This tower is not working,

but relays all the information from the real tower nearby. You can go up in it to watch over the runway.

This is the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during WWII. I don’t even have words.

After a long day, the boys made sure to get a photo with Dad.

After dinner and an Imax, the boys headed home to show us girls all their photos and tell us all about their exciting day.

Recently Hubby took the boys to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C.

They learned about how criminals have been punished throughout the ages.

This is a scary picture.

They much preferred training to be the good guys.

I feel safer knowing these two are on the right side.

There’s plenty of ideas in this little boy’s mind to keep him busy for a month of winter afternoons.

Constructing his own castle.

Wrestling his brother.

Snuggling his sister.

Setting up camp on an unseasonably warm day.

Battling with nerf guns.

Getting a new ‘do.

Cleaning out his ears.

Watching a little tv.

Getting in a workout.

Scrubbing up.

Dressing for dinner.

Getting in a little light reading.

Making time for his favorite tunes.

Hanging out with friends.

Hanging out with Dad.

Getting his game-on.

Phew! And these are just January’s activities. What are we in for in February?!