Four Days with Gabe

 

June 21st our nephew/cousin Gabe arrived to spend four days with us while his parents were in Aruba. We had so much fun! Gabe did really well given the circumstances. We had a beautiful week and spent lots of time outside. The kids blew tons of bubbles, played on the swing set, did sidewalk chalk, walked around the neighborhood, and went to Dutch Wonderland for an evening. It was a sweet time of making memories with Gabe and we were so thankful to have so much time with him since we don't get to see him often.

Father's Day 2009

  Happy Father's Day, Jeremy! We started the day's festivities by sending Daddy to Taco Bell to get his lunch after church. (He enjoys Taco Bell food and almost never gets it anymore!) When he arrived home we gave him cards that the children made and chocolate toasted coconut candy that we had made for him. We relaxed and Lane and Ava napped in the afternoon. In the evening Jeremy's parents arrived with our nephew Gabe (who we were keeping for four days) and we had a cookout.

I had the privilege of posting a tribute to Jeremy on our church's blog. Here is the link: http://crosswaylife.wordpress.com/?s=jeremy+stoltzfus

Mountains Vacation 2009

  On Memorial Day we headed up to the cabin for a week of vacation. When we arrived my Mom's side of the family was all still there and we shared lunch and a walk with them. Before dinner everyone but Nan and Pop headed home. They stayed with us for another day. We so much enjoyed getting to spend all that extra time with them! They left Tuesday afternoon and left us in the rain. It rained on and off for a couple of days. That didn't dampen our experience, though. We made and played play dough, painted with watercolor, drew with stencils, read books, played toys, watched a movie or two and played games. We made several meals over the fire and had smores every night.  One night our camp fire was rained out and even that did not deter us from smore making. We fired up the electric stove and went to town. Lane and Ava thought that was cool! Thursday we had a big photo shoot and went down to the creek and made a dam. Friday we headed to R.B. Winter State Park for a few hours. Jeremy and I sat on the beach in our jackets, while Lane and Ava insisted on splashing in the water, playing in the sand and on the playground in their bathing suits... crazy kids! It was SO chilly! Saturday we did some more creek stomping, built another dam and had wagon rides down the gravel road. Jeremy and I played games pretty much every time the kids were sleeping and enjoyed some evening conversations by the fire. The week was delightful, relaxing, refreshing, and filled with sweet family memories! We look forward to it again next year, Lord willing!

Miss Diana's Circus

  May 23, 2009 we went to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, otherwise know as "Miss Diana's circus". We went with the Herr and Teaman families. Jeremy, Lane, Ava and I arrived early and met up with Diana. We saw the elephants, tigers and a few other animals outside and then headed in to see the pre-show. Everyone else joined us for the show and we ALL loved it! We were so happy to get a chance to visit Diana, too. Especially Ava. Every minute we were with Diana, Ava wanted to be held by her. Afterward, Diana took us on a little back stage tour. Thanks for making our circus experience so special, Diana!

 

Tytus James Morris

 
On May 18, 2009 we welcomed our nephew/cousin Tytus James into the family! Congratulations Alicia and Ian! Ava is obsessed with him and will hold him for way longer than you would think a three-year-old could ever sit still. Lane couldn't be more happy to have another boy cousin... in fact, all is well in the world now as far as he is concerned. According to him, it is now okay for Mommy to have a girl.

Lane's Last Day of Preschool

  May 14, 2009 was Lane's last day of preschool. I can't believe the preschool years are already over for him. He was both happy and sad to say good-bye to his school. It was a wonderful two years for him! Does this mean he is a kindergartner now or can I wait til the first day of kindergarten to make it official?!

Fun May Weekend!

 

Mid May 2009 Lane, Ava, and I were able to spend a weekend with Debbie and James. It was a delightful time for all of us. The children became instant friends. On Saturday we took the Metro to the zoo in D.C. That evening Debbie and I were blessed to get hours of time talking while our children slept. This trip was an expression of God's kindness to me! What delight to get to spend two days with one of my dearest friends and to watch our children grow together in friendship! What precious memories!