July in Review

July was filled with lots of fun outings.  We did the annual Fourth of July parade in Eureka.  This year we even got to watch Uncle Adam and Colt ride in the fire truck.  Finn was quite jealous, but loved collecting all the candy.   

We also attended Tadd’s cousin Troy’s wedding in Indiana and stopped at a waterpark on the way home.  The kids loved it and even slept for a while in the car on the way home – which is a miracle in itself if you know our kids.

                            

Selah’s famous stance – walks around even out of water like this with one leg up balancing. 

And the best news – My brother and sister-in-law welcomed Brady Taye into the family.  Finn and Selah are quite excited to have a  new cousin they can play with.

A Night of Praise and Worship

With June came the nice weather and we wanted to take full advantage of it.  We had the blessing of hosting a Couples Night out with Praise and Worship with friends from BCC. 

We encouraged couples to go on a date night and then join us afterwards for praise and worship and just hanging out with friends.  We couldn't have asked for a better weather night.  The scene was set and ready...


gotta love the Pinterest ideas - homemade lanterns (super easy!) and shepherd's hooks thanks to my dad :)


When you arrived you were greeted by this funny crew - Tim, Tadd, Mark, and Jeff.  They were our valet parking attendants.  I know - a little scary handing over your keys to this bunch.



Then you took a number and prayed that you would get your vehicle back at the end of the night!


We also had a photobooth set up.  Guests were just lined up and so eager to get involved with this.  Ha!  Just kidding.  We had to really force some to go for it. :)  It was lots of fun and I would love to post all of the goofy pictures we got, but without their permission I wouldn't dare!


Grab a number and an envelope so you can be mailed your picture when completed. 


Us ladies weren't afraid!  We jumped right in and striked a pose.  We are cool like that :) Even Baby Ellis got in on the fun (that is her in her mama's wrap, tucked away)


Fresh flowers filled spray painted vases for decor


and lots and lots of lights and a few lanterns for a pop of color


and boy did we have lots of food - I think we could have fed another 20 people...lots of chocolate and sweets


chevron bags for filling with snack mix and popcorn


All in all I feel the evening was a success.  We have been so blessed by the people at Bethany Community Church.  It was a wonderful opportunity to get to praise God together while experiencing the sunset.  So many reasons to praise God and celebrate new relationships built.  In the last year we have gotten thrown out of our comfort zone and into the unknown.  Knowing that we were where God wanted us, but scared at the same time.  I love all the people whom we have met.  Those who made us feel welcome and invited us into our homes.  Before they even knew who we were, would ask us how we came to know the Lord.  Love that!  Love that the common bond of being Brothers and Sisters in Christ brought us together to form greater bonds of friendship.  Nothing better than being a part of the Body of Christ, serving our Lord together.

A special thanks to Mike and Blake for leading us in worship on this evening!


And of course I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of these little ones who joined us for the evening -Madeline and Ellis Ann, such cuties!

Florida 2012 - where to begin...

I am a little slow posting our Florida vacation pictures. Why? Well, because I took around 300 pictures and I can't decide what to post. Ha! We had a great time this year. It was the first time we stayed for a total of 2 weeks. Yes, 2 weeks. The first week we stayed in a rental home of the owners we have in the past. It was great as usual. It had a pool at the house and while the kids took their naps, Tadd and I could have our adult hour. That was my nickname for - no talking, just pure relaxation in the sun! 

The kids really got used to the water this year.  Finn - our no fear flying child, loved the water and jumping off of anything high.  In the beginning of the week he wanted to hold hands, but by the end he was all on his own.
 
Flying high with daddy!

Floating on his back

Selah pretending to sleep at the beach :)
Nights were spent shopping, taking walks, and eating LOTS of ice cream. There are lots of shopping malls around with great fountains, bridges, and ponds to check out.  Selah had been talking about going to Red Robin for months.  We have started a tradition of sorts.  When Selah went to Florida the first time she was only six months old and we took a picture of her with Red Robin.  It is in her scrapbook and she was always commenting on going to see Red Robin again.  We found out when he would 'be' there and scheduled the night to go out to eat.  Of course, in true Selah fashion when we arrived she was scared to death.  To mark the occasion, Aunt Tiff volunteered to get her picture with him :)  What an aunt.  The moment we were out the door and every night following Selah made sure to say how she wanted to go back and get her picture - well, maybe next year Selah!

Tiff and Mom G were actually in the same area we were this year for the first week we were there.  We loved getting to share memories with them!  They even watched the kids one afternoon so we could get out for a lunch date together - Thanks Tiff and Mom!
At home we really don't each much ice cream.  But with vacation comes ice cream and a LOT of it.  Something about Florida weather and the fact of splurging on vacation.  Most nights after dinner ice cream was involved.  There was also an ice cream shoppe only a few blocks from our house. And if that wasn't reason enough to go - kids were free! Yep, so of course we had to take advantage of that :)


The kiddos enjoying a walk..not the best picture, but a full body one - aren't they getting so big!

We also enjoyed a trip to the zoo.  Took a little convincing to get Tadd to go (mostly because he is one that would rather stay put and just relax), but after pushing him enough he agreed!  The kids really enjoyed it. 

The kids pretending to be scared of the tiger.

A chance at a family picture...we'll take it!


Selah got to feed a giraffe.  A highlight for sure.  It was really neat to see her reaction and their tongues.  One for the memory books.  And after that - Selah pretending to be a giraffe :)

Our cheesy boy!

The next week we headed to our friend's condo in Estero, about 15 minutes from where we were the first week.  It was an amazing condo.  It had a really nice pool that the kids loved.  We literally lived there.  Most days only us and a couple other people were there. 

Here are more pics :)

Finn's hair made me laugh.  When it got wet it look really kinky wavy.

Anyone who saw us knows - Tadd is much more fun than I in the pool...and his daughter was eating it up.  Nothing like watching her loving on her daddy!  Selah too had gotten quite comfortable with the pool by the time we left.  She was jumping in the water by herself, going under even sometimes...I know :)  Shocking!  Very big step foward for Selah though.  And quite exciting for her waterskiing parents!

And long days at the pool = tired out kiddos!  Finn did great and would take a nice nap by the pool a couple days.  Here he is zonked out in his stroller.

We tried quiet time with Selah, but to no avail.  This girl just wanted to 'talk'  Although I have to say it was those moments I cherished the most.  Our talks together.  She is becoming quite the story teller!

Evenings during our second week were very laid back.  We had done all the 'outings' we cared to do.  So an evening trip to the beach was a must.  Nothing like a little frisby to wind down before bedtime :) 

To sum up our vacation in one word - blessed!  So thankful that God enables are family to spend time like this together.  Praising Him for the memories that were made and the time we got to spend devoted to each other!

BEWARE!  Lots of photos below to show off the kids :)  Florida always brings photo ops.  I needed to get Finn's 2 -year pictures and so we set out to get pictures.  You all know how that goes as a parent trying to get your children to sit and smile.  Ha!  I vowed to stay patient and this is as good as it got folks....