Co-op meeting at the Doulos ship

In January, our homeschooling co-op decided to take a field trip to the MV Doulos, a floating Christian bookstore that was docked in Cebu. For more info on this ministry, go to : http://www.mvdoulos.org/

We had a great time just being together, as we always do with our co-op friends. Below are pics of that day.

MV Doulos

Most of our co-op crew minus a couple






Co-op Moms, minus 1

Jess with Paul and Luke

The steps on board and off were really steep.

Jesse's 10th birthday

Our baby is growing up. Can't believe it's already been 10 years. Jesse's birthday was actually on a weekday, but his sleepover party was on the weekend, so he got to have two special days of celebrating his bday! Below is a mixture of both days. On his actual birthday, Jan 20th, we met up with another family at TGIFridays here in Cebu, and then proceeded to a new hotel that was advertising a playplace, games, rollercoaster, etc. For more info, click on : http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com/ We were also using this as a test to see if it would be appropriate, age-wise, for all our co-op kids, seeing that the ages range from 3-15 at the moment.

Murphy boys with Ate Ruthie and Ate Ivy at Friday's

We met up with the Wilkinson's and Ruthie at Friday's

After eating at Friday's, we headed over to Sky Adventure. We didn't go on the sky coaster around the Crown Regency hotel, but played in the playplace inside. In case you are wondering, they make everyone wear long sleeves (and preferably pants) inside any kind of jungle gym like this. The boys were pretty hot and sweaty afterwards, but they had a blast. Won't be long, and they will be too old or big for these kind of places.

Jesse and Jamin with Paul and Timmy

Random shot taken while being in the ladies restroom at the top of this hotel. It had an awesome view of the city/mountains.

There was also a 5 minute 4-D show inside the hotel as well. It didn't last long, but it was fun. Reminded me of rides in Disneyworld...but without the rats, haha. Just a side note: this was a 5 minute under the sea type of adventure, but for some reason, there was a room of rats (go figure) coming at you....meanwhile air was puffing out at your feet, making you feel like rats were under you.

Cooling off after being in the playroom for an hour

And then on Jesse's sleepover party that weekend (Jan 23rd), we took the guys to the go-kart place, and then back home for ps2 games on the wall, swimming, etc. I think our boys stayed up the latest they have ever stayed up. Usually 11pm is their cut off time when their eyelids start closing, but this particular night (or early am) they stayed up 'til 3am. Yikes! Where did the 'sleepover' or 'slumber' party term come from anyways? Shouldn't it be the 'stay up all night' party? Honestly, for the first time to ever do this, it was fun, and will most likely be done again in the future.

Jesse and Jamin with their friends: Grant, Luke, Jared and Cameron

Hardly ever do I catch Jesse with a serious look while a camera is around....but yes folks, it can happen! :)

Playing foosball at our house at Jess' sleepover

Playing ps2 up on the wall....thanks to the Lorkavich's for letting us borrow their video projection unit!!!




Night time swimming at party

For some reason, our boys dont care for the made-in-store kind of cakes. They usually want the same homemade cake every year....Betty Crocker's Butter Recipe yellow cake with chocolate icing.

Jesse's favorite ps2 game - Guitar Hero, which he thinks is better on the wall instead of the tv.

New Year's

On New Year's Eve, we took our family to Bohol to visit with the Mante family. We had a great time, as always, with this sweet family. The weather was nice a cool (ok...it was high 70's, but chilly to us), and the view was breathtaking. Thank you so much Mrs. Mila for opening up your home to us during this special occasion. We enjoyed all the games, the great food, the awesome firework display in your yard, and just being with you and your family/staff!!!

Dr. and Mrs. Mante

The Mante's house is set up on a hill. If once chooses to climb the 60+ stairs up and down their front yard, they could. The boys run up and down this stairway several times while on the trip. I need one of these to help me slim up.....I'd probably never use it tho, haha.

The boys really enjoy being at Mrs. Mila's house, because she loves games of all kinds. If we aren't sleeping or eating at her house, we are usually playing a game. Our favorite that she has is called 'Ticket to Ride'.

Bohol is known for their little mounds called the Chocolate Hills. Because we had the two college girls with us on this trip, we took them to see the hills, the butterfly sanctuary and the tarsiers. By the way, in case you are wondering why we don't have any pics of the girls, it is for security reasons. We hope you understand....

If you look real good, you can see a worm on a tree.....kinda camouflaged, in the butterfly dome.

The boys being silly in the kiddie portion of this park at Sanbatayan.

These were not taken at New Year's. These were actually pics taken back in October, but they got lost in the shuffle....so they are on this particular post. These are my 3 favorite men!!!!

Jesse with his favorite hobby.....he now has 3 guitars to practice on (bass, electric and acoustic)