...............The Hellwig Family

Thursday, April 30, 2009

It's Time for...

By Gabrielle

More Cute Pictures of Benaiah!

Yes, hamming up for the camera.
Last night, during Elliot's birthday celebration, every time I pointed the camera at Benaiah he would grin for me. You really can't pass up an opportunity like that!
Aahh...those beautiful blue eyes.
What a poor, sad little brother I have! ;)
Too cute!

Birthday Boy Elliot is 10!

Posted by Gabrielle

Yesterday Elliot turned double digits! Where have the years gone?!
The birthday boy and his ten candles.
Elliot's personally decorated peach tart!

Benaiah helps Timothy slice the cheesecake. Timothy is a prime cheesecake chef; no Hellwig birthday is complete without a fine specimen of his work.

But it looks like he needed some more guidance, so Timothy taught him in the art of perfect cheesecake cutting.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Our 'Official' Pictures with Oma

By Gabrielle

Finally! Presenting (drum roll please!): our official pictures with Oma!

The whole family! Pardon the funny faces in this one. It sure is difficult to get 11 people to all smile at the camera at the same time!

Oma and the grandchildren! This is one of those pictures we'll be passing down to our children.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Random Glimpses into Our Day

Posted by Gabrielle

That's right! Today was no extraordinary day but I did get some fun pictures and thought I'd share them!

Daddy and Elliot sawing logs
This work never fails to mature boys into men!
Benaiah marshalling mighty men under his command.
Benaiah-the captain over his army of mighty men! He was numbered among the thirty of David's mighty men but he did not attain to the three.
But, he vanquished them with a single blow. Read 2 Samuel 23: 20-23

Friday, April 17, 2009

Happy 16th Birthday Timothy!

Posted by Gabrielle

Last night we celebrated Timothy's 16th birthday with Oma. We're glad she was here over his birthday!


16 candles- a bonfire!
Engaging in brotherly admonishments,
brotherly sprinklings and,
brotherly discussions!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Recent Wildlife in our Yard

Posted by Gabrielle

Because we're so much in the city, we rarely see much wildlife except for a few robins and cardinals, squirrels and some butterflies. But lately it seems we have had some extraordinary views. Keep reading!
I have yet to figure out what kind of moth this was that rested on the door of our screen porch for most of the day. It was an exciting find for me as I rarely have the chance to photograph unique wildlife!
And, a hawk that rested on our neighbor's fence for a few minutes, obligingly long enough so I could get a few pictures.
And this was the best. A few mornings ago after breakfast I spotted an opossum scrounging in our compost pile. We thought it unusual to see them out in the day.
I was able to get within 15 feet of this creature to take pictures but ended up scaring it away as I ran back up the hill when I was done, thinking I was far enough away.
YUCK!!!...Beautiful table manners you have, Mr. Possum!
I have no idea what was so interesting about this compost pile or what good things to eat this opossum could possibly find in it.

Fun Outside with Oma

Posted by Gabrielle

Thursday: Our last day with Oma. Here's what our morning looked like!

Lately Tobias has loved playing memory game with Oma
Out for a walk around the circle
This morning was a bit chilly so we all went out with jackets but they quickly got too hot! Tobias became the jacket collector.
Jedidiah found this interesting stick out in the woods. It's shaped like a hat tree and stands up by itself. It just needs to be polished and have some pegs nailed into it. ;)
Oma and Mommy

Our 'official' pictures with Oma coming soon!

Benaiah and his Dandelions

Posted by Gabrielle

I took these while we were outside this morning and they were too cute to resist posting! Enjoy!

Mommy and Benaiah
Give your sister flowers..."Here, you take these and I'll go get some more."
He turned around and Christianna tickled his back, which he ignored.
Enjoying the flowers.
Benaiah doesn't realize that you can only blow them once they're white.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Some Fun with Photos!

Posted by Gabrielle

I've been having some fun with photo editing lately and here's some of what I've done with it. Enjoy!



Tuesday, April 14, 2009

At the Park with Oma

Posted by Gabrielle

Even though it was a little rainy yesterday morning, we still went to the park and we had it to ourselves most of the time! The result was: lots of fun and pictures!

Elliot, quite the gymnast.
Jedidiah swings
Elliot swings
Benaiah slides down the BIG slide!
Tobias and Christianna swing

As do Arianne and Jedidiah
Elliot in mid-swing
I loved this picture of Timothy and Benaiah
This is the way Benaiah opted to go down the slide, or maybe it was to get back up!
Back up for another slide down!

The sliding bar was very popular with Elliot...
and Christianna...

and Jedidiah!
Oma and Mommy talking
Elliot chases Jedidiah up the ladder...
and down the slide.
Timothy and Benaiah on the big swing
When the alarm rings...
the firemen slide down the pole.
Firemen Elliot and Jedidiah are off to the fire in their trusty elephant.
At the scene of the fire they direct their hose at the flames.
Back at the firehouse, Jedidiah hangs up his coat.
OK, Benaiah was not so sure about the slider bar.
Elliot and Tobias
Tobias the mighty

When Timothy gets on the see-saw, this is what happens to the little boy on the other end.
Benaiah tries the big swing himself(with Arianne's help!)

This is our favorite rhyme behind this picture:

As I was sitting in my chair,

I knew it had no bottom there,

Nor Legs, or back, but I just sat,

Ignoring little things like that.”


This is the very indignant cow in it's stall! ;)
Goofy Elliot, or is this the grinning cow?