Merry Christmas!

Well, the weather outside was far from frightful, and for us to even see snow would be delightful! But that doesn't stop us from enjoying our Christmas! A nice 70 degree day makes it hard to remember those cold Christmases from our youth.

It has been fun to see Isaac truly enjoy his Christmas gifts this year. Of course, when everybody spoils you with great things, it's pretty easy to enjoy it! And Caleb, well, he just likes to rip and eat paper. By the time the gift is open (with the help of Isaac & his new saw), it is usually out of his reach since Isaac has taken it upon himself to test all of Caleb's toys for him first.

We enjoyed our Christmas Eve by spending time at our close friends' house. We feasted on a tasty meal and enjoyed watching the kids play. We capped the night off by opening a few more gifts. On Christmas day we'll be driving to see Mark, Jill and Madelyn.

Merry Christmas to you all! We send you warm greetings from CA and want you to know we miss seeing you and spending the holidays all gathered together. So, if the weather is too frightful and the snow is no longer delightful, we'd love to have you come our way!

Another Birthday!

Birthdays are always a fun day for me. I love the showering of "Happy Birthdays" from family and friends, (thanks to all who called or e-mailed!), the singing from Isaac (and many others), the yummy birthday cake Danae (and Isaac) made for me, and of course the gifts.

But this birthday included something a little different. This year I had a special visitor who came all the way to CA just to see me on my birthday. Well, Isaac and Caleb were probably the main draw for Grandpa to meet up with us, I am guessing, but I had to drive them to see him! And the fact that it was my birthday made it even more special. Plus, who can pass up a free steak dinner?!? :-)

It's Christmas time in CA!

The tree is up, the lights are hanging on the outside of the house...yes, we have lights! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Lapka home! Now all we need is the lovely present you all are sending us! :) Oh, Mom, don't worry about trying to get my "car" under the tree this year, we have a spot ready in the garage! (j/k)

Isaac loves to turn the Christmas tree lights on (and off). He has even gotten in a few oohs and ahhs as we have driven around. Now we just need the snow!

We look forward to many Christmas cards and hopefully a few guests! (hint, hint)

Our new niece and cousin!

We are very excited to welcome the arrival of our newest CA family member! Danae and the boys got a chance to see Madelyn in person and captured this video. Isaac was impressed with her special bed in the hospital and talks about seeing baby Mark again! :) (Sorry, Jill!)

Sleepy Boy....

The day is coming to an end...

Nap Time

Sometimes I wish I could curl up and take a nap again. I am not talking about the Sunday afternoon kind of nap. I mean the kind where you go to bed and sleep hard for 2-3 hours everyday.

We are fortunate that Isaac still takes those kinds of naps. That is, if he isn't throwing EVERYTHING out of his bed and then screaming bloody murder because he knows he is not to get out of bed but wants his things back. (Last week he managed to get wedged between the foot board and mattress--but Mom ignored him figuring it was the missing bed things! Kind of like the story of the boy who cried wolf.)




Caleb is a good napper, most of the time. Sometimes, though...well, you see for yourself!

Sweet Treats!

What is better in life than a 2-year old singing and free candy? (Maybe being here to enjoy both!?) :-)



We had our very first trick-or-treating venture this past Wednesday. Isaac was all decked out in his Batman mask...or wait, his Bob the Builder outfit with Dad's tools...or, oh yes, Clifford! After trying on all the before mentioned costumes, we remembered Clifford was packed away in a box. Thanks to Vonda and Carter passing it along to us, Isaac's first Halloween outing was as Clifford, the big red dog! It was fun watching him light up as we told him what we were putting on him. He loved to show Caleb his tail! Trick-or-treating was quite fun. Isaac's first stop was at Pat and Anita's house, and they had a special bag all prepared for him! He could have stopped right there and then with his loot. He was in heaven! We continued over to walk the street with his two buds, Tasha and Sammy. Isaac got the hang of saying "trick-or -treat" and was a very polite Clifford by always saying, "Thank You." He especially loved the houses where the people let him take candy from the bowl! My, how the little hands can grab a lot of candy! Dad even scored a few pieces at some homes!







After we turned off the light on the kids stopping by our house and looked at all our haul of candy, Isaac gave a concert! He loves to sing! I would have to say he gets all his talent from me, but that might be stretching things a bit! :) Anytime he starts playing, you can bet he will be singing soon! Just for your pleasure, we included a short video of him for you!








Life is good--especially when you have sweet treats!

Life gets busy!

Life just gets too busy.

Remember those days when you would roll out of bed and go watch cartoons on a Saturday morning? When you would stay up late and watch movies with friends and then sleep in till noon? When you would play all day and be completly exhausted at night? Oh, those days...

Life gets busy. It was something I knew would happen. It didn't sneak up on me one day out of the blue. It just happened. It's not even that it just got busy. It's been busy for many years! But, for some reason I feel even busier today.

It seems that a never ending collection of events is taking place. When I feel like I am on top of one thing, another pops up. It isn't that I can't handle the things life has thrown at me. I think I just want life to slow down.

Isaac is almost two and a half. WOW! One day he was being born, the next he is saying, "Bye Daddy. You going to teach the kids?" It just seems that he was rolling on the floor and now he's rolling down the street on his scooter. If we sneeze, he's the first person to say "Bless you, Mommy, or Bless you, Daddy!" He even blesses himself! :) He no longer hesitantly walks to the chuch nursery--he runs!

Caleb is four months old. He seems like he skipped the baby-baby stage altogether. He rolls around the floor and is sitting in his exersaucer way sooner than Isaac did. I can only imagine the next few months ahead.

Danae seems to get busier by the day. Mom at all hours of the day and night, wife, cook, maid, Jr. High Youth group leader, worship cordinator at church, violin lesson teacher, entertainer...I can hardly keep up with her schedule. If it wasn't for her organizational skills, I would be lost (and hungry and probably naked!).

And then me. Teaching, being Dad and husband, being an "I should probably do more around the house man." And then I go and add being the assistant varsity girls basketball coach.

I know God created each day to be 24 hours. Sometimes I wish it was longer.

Life just gets too busy.

Life is good. God is good!

So, I have officially joined the world of blogging. I guess you can call me a rookie blogger. I have absolutely no clue what I am doing, or what I will write about. I suppose everyone has to start someplace...


Life is good. God is good!


It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of September. School is rolling along. This year is my 10th year of teaching at Calvin Christian School in Escondido, CA. Can you believe that 10 years has passed? I would have lost a lot of money if I would have bet you that I would still be out here in CA. But, life is good out here in CA, and God is definitely good!


Living in Escondido rocks. Temecula was (and still is) a wonderful city to live in. It had everything that you needed and then some. But, the drive to Escondido was wearing. The days of 30 minute commutes have now become a 2 minute drive or 5 minute walk. I am waiting for the credit card company to call complaining that we are not spending enough! Life is good. God is good!


We love our house. It has a few things that we want to change/upgrade, but nothing that is pressing. Being right across the street from the swimming pool rocks. Isaac loves the water. He asks to swim whenever he catches a glimpse of the pool. It took a few days for him to get comfortable, but now he gets right in. During our last heat wave of above 100 degree temps, we used the pool everyday. It didn't save the AC from running, but it was a great way to get out of the house and still be cool. Life is good.


We are adjusting to the new lifestyle of two kids. Isaac is a great big brother! He loves Caleb! He is constantly asking "Where's Caleb?" or "Caleb sleeping?" or "Watch, Caleb! Watch!" He has his moments where he needs his time with Mom or Dad. Caleb is quite the little fellow! He has his own personality already and is definitely more vocal than Isaac was. I still have my moments where I wonder how I could have such a wonderful family. God is good!


It's time to end... Life is GOOD! God is GOOD!


"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 120: 3