The Gardens, preschool, and daily life

Life is good! The weather is finally changing and so too the leaves. Our drive to visit a friend's church in CT this morning was beautiful and full of the colors of Fall.

We bundled up the kiddos and went to the New York Botanical Gardens the other day. This is a favorite destination of ours. And what with the rock climbing, tram riding and time with their buddies Ariadne and Luke, the boys can't get enough of it!













































Elias is loving preschool. This is a pic of a game they played on Tuesday where they had to guess which friend was standing in front of them by using their hands. We talked about how we use our hands for many different things. Elias is looking on as his buddies demonstrate the game.


And the last photo merely depicts another day in the life of Firemen Elias and his trusty friend Firewoman Ariadne. I guess my boots add to the get-up. You must understand, this is all his doing. Elias needs no instruction or aid from us when it comes to his acting antics! He makes us laugh out loud with all his crazy outfits and personas.

We look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Love, Jodi

Online chat account...

For those of you who use online chat software like MSN messenger or IChat AV for Mac Jodi and I also have an account that you should feel free to use.

Our online username is "JustinIntone". If you want an online chat account they are free at MSN.com.

Just enter this into your buddy list and it well be easy for us to stay in touch. We have video chat but it is down right now because the Seminary is working on opening a port in the firewall for us. This may take some time.

In the wonderful words of Garrison Keeler:
Be Well, Do Good Work, and Stay in Touch...

J&J

Our Little Artists

A couple of Saturdays ago some neighbors (the Gillquists) had a pancake party. They pulled out the paints and the kids turned into little artists. Elias was particularly engrossed in painting. Long after the other children had migrated to the playground, he remained to finish his masterpiece.

Asher wore his puppy sweats to the pancake party (remember Elias wearing these?!!). He sat so sweetly on the steps with the "big kids" and listened to a story. The whole day Elias called Asher "his puppy," to which Asher would quickly reply "no, I Asher John."


The masterpieces now hang in our pantry/fort. They turned out quite nice.

Blessings!

J&J

Sick and studying...

Well, fall is officially here. I am sick with a head cold, the boys have runny noses and we are all feeling low energy. Seems like we live in a big preschool sometimes the way sickness gets passed around here on campus!

Lots of vitamin C, Netti pots, hot steam showers, garlic, and dayquil... Perfect ingredients for studying theology. Well, this too shall pass.

Please pray specifically for Jodi's health as well.

Well, off to preaching Luke tonight from 7:30 - 9:30. Mid-term is upon us in the next two weeks. I have a Patristics paper, a Canon Law exam, an Ecuminism paper as well as 3 sermons to prepare. This along with my regularly slotted schedule should keep me pretty busy!

By God's grace and your prayers we will be just fine! Thanks for all of your positive feedback in the last few days. Keep it coming!

Love,
J&J

Apple Picking Day 2005! New Movie...

Apple Picking Day 2005!

Enjoy the latest movie... (click here!) The Mathews and friends enjoyed a fabulous afternoon of apple picking and lots of apple tasting.

[You need the FREE Quicktime player (www.quicktime.com) to view this 10-minute clip and all of the movies we post.]

We traveled up to Weed Orchard last October as well, but Asher was too little to pick his own apples. Jodi carried him around the orchard in the Bjorn. Today he got to PICK his own apples and Elias got to try the picking pole. We sampled Jonagolds, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji and Empire apples. Then we snacked on the best apple cider donuts in the world!! We also picked a few pumpkins and even a butternut squash. Anyone in the mood for apple pie? If you smell one baking just stop on in and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Perhaps this video will help you feel like you were right there with us. We sure wish you were!!

Love,

J&J

Home Depot Movie!

Check out the latest movie by the Mathews - Daddy and the Boys spend one rainy Friday at the "Tool Store". More fun than you can shake a stick at!


Click here: Home Depot Movie!


[or type into your internet browser:
http://justinmathews.com/Blog/BlogPostings.htm]

Love,
J&J

Sat. Am and it finally stopped raining

Well it has been raining since last Thursday in Crestwood, NY. This morning is the first clear sky we have seen in days! Hopefully we will be able to get out and about today, breath some fresh air, live in the open spaces out there a while.

The kids are excited to play with their "new" fisher-price work bench I found on one of my walks. People in this richy area throw away the nicest stuff! Well, it is a blessing and the kids are totally happy. We spent daddy day yesterday at the Home Depot going up and down the aisles (2 times!) and just looking at all the cool stuff. This is one of the boys favrite things to do. We got hotdogs and sprite for lunch at a vendor out side. Shot some video too and I will try ot figure out if I can post that sort of thing to the site. Hope so.

Well have a blessed day all!

Justin

New Photo Post!

New Blog!

The Mathews Family have taken staying in touch to the next level! Let's get going!

J&J Mathews