Sparkle Artists

The Sparkles sure do love to create and paint.

Where is Spring...

I know I am getting a bit tired of the snow but the Sparkles are loving it!

They especially enjoy playing out on Nana and Papa's deck.

Cooper loves his red shovel (he even carries it to walk the dog)

 Silly Sister Sparkles

 and wrestling in the snow

 Then inside to warm up.
And what better way to get warm then to snuggle under Omi's new blanket

Adventures of Cooper

Cooper loves to help cook in the kitchen.

 And feeding Lucy.... dog food and sharing his snack

Celebrations

Birthday's are always a time of celebration in our household. We get together to share the honoree's favorite meal and dessert.

This picture (from Papa's 60th Birthday in January) makes me smile.

I love my Sparkles!

SNOW fun... Again

Kids are probably the only ones that are loving all the snow we have been getting this winter.

The Sparkles latest escapades include:

Snow wrestling

 Snow Tickles

 and Snow Tunnels (Madison and her friend dug out the tunnel)

I wonder what the next escapades will include?

Solo Ensemble

Last Saturday Madison participated in the district Solo Ensemble contest for Band.

She played a solo on her Baritone and earned  GOLD medal.

Our next Escapade...

It is not often that I share more then a few pictures or thoughts of our family escapades but our next adventure is too exciting to not share in more details.

Rob, Madison, Lillian, and I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic the week of May 31- June 7 for a mission trip with our church. (Cooper is too young to join us this year)
While we are there we will be serving in the northern city of Santiago in partnership with a local missionary family. Their role is to coordinate the work of our American short term mission teams to benefit the people and local churches in the Dominican Republic. Our team consists of 18 individuals from our church.

Our team will be assisting on various building and work projects each morning and presenting  Vacation Bible School each afternoon. There will also be opportunities to visit the local Envision cafe in the heart of Santiago where many villagers gather to practice their English skills and to participate in the children's sports outreach.

Rob and I believe that this next adventure will have a huge impact on our family and how we perceive life, one another and especially God. It is so easy to forget how blessed we really are. This is an opportunity for our family to come face to face with those living in an environment we cannot comprehend, a life that is different from our own.

It is our desire that we and our children see life as Christ desires. We are called to love another and God and we pray that the lives we encounter while on our trip will be changed not only by our act of going but in showing God's love.

The only way our trip will be a success is through prayer. Prayer moves mountains and brings us closer to God.
We want those that are closes to us to cover us with prayer as we prepare for the journey and especially while we in the Dominican Republic.

We ask that you prayer for:

• Team Unity 
• That are our hearts are open and receptive to God's plan for us
• To prepare the hearts of the people we encounter in the Dominican Republic
• God's blessings for the people of the Dominican Republic and the missionaries called to them
• Against any obstacles the enemy would put in our path
• The spiritual growth of our family and the team
• Health for us all
• Provision of finances
• A safe journey
• That God will bless our trip

As always, we want to thank all of you that we love and trust. 

Thank you for your thoughts, love, and your prayers

We are blessed to call you are friends and family and to share our lives with you. 

If you would like to support our trip financially or you wish to know more about our adventure please email or leave a comment on our blog. 

We can't wait to share how God moving in our lives. 

Much love

Rob and Aliza 

Car Snoozes

I look back in the backseat and this is what I see (pay special attention to the Lolli in his hand).

Snuggling Mama

The best part of my afternoon... snuggling with Cooper when he wakes up from nap.

Fashion O Lillian

Just a few of Lillian's latest fashions

Sparkle Cuddles

What is better when your sick then snuggles from your brother...

Cuddled up together on the couch while Lillian has been sick. Sibling love is hard to separate.

Sleeping Cooper

I LOVE watching my sparkles sleep (especially seeing the weird position they end up in throughout the night).

Sweet Dreams Cooper-man!

BIG Marshmellows