Pics of the Kids

Thanks Andy for taking these!

What is the age of the child?....ummm...32.

Apparently, our community center doesn't get very many adult birthday parties, but that is where we celebrated Justin's big day recently. We played in the gym and also some "Minute to Win it" games. Happy birthday Justin! We love you!

Paul & Alana

Who are Paul & Alana? Also known as...Paul-Lana, The Renters, Mr. Paul & Ms. Alana or Lasagna...Only the amazing couple that we were privileged to have rent our apartment for the last 2 years. They left last week to head onto bigger and better things...also known as seminary. We went into the apartment yesterday, and Ellie asked, "Where Paul-Lana?" I said that they had moved. She said, "They coming back?" Sigh...no. Then, the other day Owen and I are talking about where we would live if we could live anywhere. Owen says N. Carolina. I ask why and he says, "Because that's where Paul and Alana live." Sigh again. You all are loved and missed! We hope that it's going well and know that God will use you for great things!

Happenings...

I just wanted to record a few observations from this morning...
For instance:
-Ellie learned that if you pour a cup of water into your dress pocket, the water doesn't stay in it.
-Owen's wiffleball playing has outgrown our backyard, having hit 2 balls over the roof of our house. He has also now officially passed me up on wiffleball skills.
-I am reminded again that I am expecting as I'm starving all the time. I announced at 10:45 that it was lunch time.
-Ellie is into feeding the "peacocks" that apparently live just outside our fence. She passes grass and rocks to them through the fence.
-Owen just wants to be outside playing sports...even if it's 100 degrees. He also does play by play while he plays..."That was a nice hit, Billy...Slimey, a double play...Juan Britt up to bat...That's a stand-up homerun...and he "grinded" out to left field..." are just a few of the phrases he said just this morning.
-Ellie made mud-pie muffins outside...unlike Owen, she just wants to be playing the dirt.
-While finishing up lunch, I turned around to see Ellie and Owen shaking a salt shaker on their strawberries. I say, "Oh guys, you don't want to do that..." just as Owen takes a bite...hee hee...the look was priceless. He said, "But mom, I was just putting a little sugar on them like you do." So today, we learned the difference between salt and sugar.

The New Nephew

Welcome Drew Matthew!
Ellie so wanted to hold him.

The new family of 5.

So glad that I got to be at the hospital for this amazing arrival.

The trip was more than just welcoming Drew...it was also lots and lots of cousin playtime!

July 4th

Watching fireworks.
We had our own 4th of July parade.

We also celebrated Jack's 5th birthday.

Ellie is 2!

Ellie turned 2 last month and wanted a kitty cat party. We more pulled off a backyard pool party with an attempt at a cake with a kitty cat face.
Jack on the slip n slide.

This slide into the swimming pool has brought more joy these last 2 summers than I ever could have imagined.

Birthday girl!

She got a tricycle from her Mimi and Poppy.