Just made me laugh!

I think my love for all things coffee is inherited!  "First...we have coffee..." is a thought that goes through my head.  I loved reading that book...because it reminds me of Gram and all my aunties and momma.  I'm thankful for the little things in life...that really are big things to me now!

Camping trip 2016

 Velle's first church camping trip!  So thankful for a cooler day to pack up and head north about 45 minutes to a beautiful spot.

 These kiddos are always good helpers to get things set up.  They sat down to talk and play games with Uncle Pastor.  I love to listen to them chat back and forth!

 Velle wasn't quite sure what to think...outside?  all the time?  Cool!  People...everywhere?  Cool!

 Little friends...who like to hold and pet...with sticky, dirty hands.  Cool...tastes like a popsicle!

 Birthday fun...Alisa's 14th birthday at the campground...and a fun bike rental with the cousins.

                                             A beautiful day and place to spend a birthday!

 The girls shared the hour with the guys too.  "Man, they go a lot faster than we do!"

 Sitting and talking and laughing and relaxing...the kiddos go off and the mothers with older kiddos enjoy the peace and quiet!  The mothers with younger kiddos enjoy the older kiddos taking their kiddos to the playground...and generally helping.

 Some dads take off for work and come back...like our dad.  Some dads bring their work with them and disappear on conference calls.  Some dads take time off to relax and play.  Some dads sit at the picnic tables or walk the grounds taking care of business.

 We always like to see our Dad drive in on Thursday and Friday after work!  God gave us beautiful weather for the three days...NO RAIN!!!  Minimal bugs!

 Time around the fire singing and thanking God for the blessings He so freely gives.

Saturday morning...putting off the big job of packing it all up again for another year.

VBS 2016

 Our kiddos are helping again this year. Teddy is part of the story skit each night with cousins.

                          One boy is Snorkel Boy and one is Scuba Boy...and they are funny.

I'm helping my sis with the registration fun.  The Lord has given us beautiful weather for the week.

Colors of our week

 Lunch dating with my girlies!

 Painting the sets for our VBS next week!

Swimming with cousins!

Father's Day 2016

So thankful for the years that we have had together!  So many lessons learned.  So many blessings through each lesson.  So thankful for the obedience of leaving, cleaving, and weaving.  So thankful for Ted's leadership in our home!  I know it is not always easy.  I know it can be a thankless job at times.  I know there is great pressure.  I know that when I follow God's plan for my role...all goes well and there is great peace!

I know Ted's confidence is not in himself.  I know he is following God's Word and His leading.  I know he is not perfect.  I know he is always learning and growing.

 I know this...because I watch him with our children.  I hear his instruction, his praise, his encouragement, and his correction.  I see his tears of thankfulness and pride in his children.  I hear his humble words as he teaches in our Sunday School small group.  I hear of the opportunities he has at work as he leads and trains.  We are where God wants us...doing what He wants us to do.  We don't need anything but God's strength to obey Him.  We realize we are doing a very important job right now.  And Father's Day is just another reminder of this privilege that we have been called to do together!

Ted, we love you and thank you for all you do for your family, your co-workers, and your church family!

The kiddos are home!

 All day last Friday, Velle seemed to be waiting for something!  Yep, it was time for the kiddos to make their way north again!

 I finally got through a busy security maze to see their plane taxiing in to the gate!  Since they were the first ones on the plane...they were the last ones off...so I could sign for them.

 Letting them navigate their way through the airport on a busy Friday afternoon.  We found the parking garage!

 Happy travelers with lots to say!  It was fun to hear all about their week in Florida!

 And Velle...she could hardly stand it when they walked through the door!

 "Hey...we want to do this again!  When you fly without parents...that is so cool!  They give you cool snacks...we didn't have to pay for this box!"

 Birthday supper, flowers, gift, and cake for the girl who turned 15 years old!  Wow!  I can't hardly believe it.

I think Dad missed his kiddos...ok...Velle and I did too.  But it was worth the quiet house...they had sooo much fun...I wouldn't trade that opportunity!  Thanks to Uncle R, Aunt S, and Penelope!

We packed them up and sent them flying...

 to Florida!  They have counted down the days and looked forward to this trip for a couple months!  They learned how to navigate through security...and then..."Now...I'm excited!  I was nervous going through the security part...that's crazy!"  We stopped at the McDs on the way to their gate for a quick bite of breakfast.

 Got to the gate and checked in...and the attendant said, "Hugs and kiss and let's go!"  They got to board first and get all settled.  They were all smiles!

I had to stay at the gate till the plane backed away.  It is a weird feeling watching all this take place!  Our kiddos are so grown up now...I still see them toddling around with binkys and sippy cups.  It is fun to see them spread their wings and go on adventures!  Next stop...Tampa, FL and all the fun that awaits them with Uncle R, Aunt S, and Cousin P!

I came home to a very quiet house!  So quiet...that I ended up sitting outside with Velle and the birds. A pretty day to sit outside and read while sipping an iced coffee!

 The first two pictures that came to my phone!  The beautiful beach...and a touch of jealousy too.  How fun!

 Velle came up with her own amusements!

 We endured a 5 hour power outage after my love's run to DD for our morning coffee!  How spoiled we are to have electricity!  Everything I wanted or needed to do...required  electricity...so I sat and talked with my love.

 We had fun dating and relaxing and cuddling with Velle.  She didn't act like she missed the kiddos all the time...especially if you were sitting in the recliner!

 One spoiled puppy...so sad after we were gone for awhile for a graduation open house...she got to sleep with us.

Memorial Day 2016

 A beautiful day for special visitors!  Teddy and Grampy worked to make the yard look so nice and inviting...

 and it was a beautiful day to sit out and catch up with Sean, Becky, and their kiddos!

 Chalk, bubbles, and Velle were fun things to play with...

 Teddy made another little buddy when Velle was distracted with a water bottle.

 Tuesday night...we took Grampy and Grammy to one of our favorite places to eat for supper.

 We then took an after dinner trip to DQ...so we had enough energy to play Farkle!

Another beautiful day and night to be outside!  We were so glad to have Grammy and Grampy stay with us on their visit to Michigan.  We are always thankful for the special times we get to share with our family!