Birthdays, Basketball and the “Running Game”!!

We have had several birthdays this month and that means kids are growing UP!
Garrett, you are such and inspiration to us and to so many others as well.  You have a great sense of humor and make people feel good about themselves.  You are friendly, outgoing, and thoughtful.  Our lives are more blessed because you are a vital part of our family and we thank God for your strength, honor and godliness.  Our prayer is that you continue to grow in Him as you walk in His light! You are a young(man) of God.  We love you.


Micaylah has just had a birthday and it’s so hard to believe she is nearly a ‘teen’. She is a gentle and kind-hearted young lady that loves God with all her heart.  We can remember the day she was born and have watched her grow into a young lady who’s heart truly desires to seek God first and become all He has for her.  You will do mighty works for the kingdom, Micaylah! We love you!


We have a special game we really enjoy playing at the end of the day. When we all go outside and the weather is nice, we play the running game.  I know, it sounds almost too simple, but the kids love it to pieces.
Here's what we do:
*everyone takes a place near the caller (the one who calls out the spots to run)
*the caller names several places around the yard where the kids can run to
*after the caller says, "On your mark, get set, GO!"
*all the kids go running to each spot, in the order it was called out
*the first one back home-wins

 One of their favorite places to place is one the rocks, next to the creek.  The water is flowing and they have some of the most imaginative stories to make up.  They always come back in pretending they were on some island or sailing on a ship.  We love it!

A Trip to Amish Country-Tennessee

Last week for my birthday, we took a day trip to a nearby state to visit an Amish Community. The night before, we packed a huge pic-nic basket and carry cooler with lots of homemade goodies, homemade bread, muffins and sweet tea for the trip, so we wouldn't need to use the dreaded 'drive-thru' or stop at the convience stores on the way there or back home.  It made the trip so much more enjoyable, because I knew we were going to feel better the next day.  We went with our good friends Jeff and Bridget Koehoorn and their two boys, Tanner & Jody.  Since all of us like the outdoors, it made the day even better.  Such a great way to celebrate my birthday...

Here's  a little photo gallery of the day...heading into the Gorgeous state of Tennessee

I always enjoy seeing the ridges of the mountains as we pass by

On the way we saw these rolling hills...

 And this breathtaking valley!

 

 Here we are entering into the Amish community. We reserved a wagon for us all and arrived  that morning.  It was ready and waiting on us, so after walking around the little gift shop we all boarded and off we went!! Isn't this home charming?   Notice there are no electric poles/lines. I would love to have that clothes line in my back yard...talk about hanging out some clothes!!  They do not use any form of electric at all.  Their homes are very simple with little to no yard ornamentation.  Very beautiful though.  Very simple and lovely!

 

 This is a working saw mill, where they cut their own lumber to make everything from homes, outbuildings, sheds and workshops to furniture, wheels for buggies and tools.  Nothing is made using A-N-Y    F-O-R-M  of electric.  It is made using 'MAN POWER ONLY'.  

 

 Here is a beautiful home place.  You can see where the garden was and will be this spring.  They grown most everything they consume. 

 

 This is our driver/tour guide.  He was so friendly and very accomodating to us as a group.  Since it was about 20 degrees, he put gas heaters in our cart and put a cover over the top to keep the wind out.  It was very, very windy that day.  Micaylah is actually driving the horse and buggy herself!!  She was a little nervous at first, but then found out it wasn't as hard to do as she thought. 

 

 Garrett and Kyle are very interested in something across the road.  Our buggy seated 11 people and we had 10.  They have another buggy that seats 15 or 16.  Next time we will need to bring more friends!!

 

 Jeff and Bridget are enjoying some cuddle time...you two are sooo cute! 

 

 Austin is now driving the buggy.  He decided to give it a try too. 

 

 Camille is driving the cart now!!  Hey!  Keep your eyes on the road!  :)

 

 Austin and his Daddy are having some cuddle time too!  Sweet guys!  I love 'em!

 

 This little country store was probably one of the highlights of our trip.  There were more things in this little store than my little camera was able to capture. 

 

 This is the front of this little country store...look at the front. Isn't is so quaint!!

 

 Here are the proprietors...Grandma and Grandpa!!

 

The kids are taking it all in and of course, laughing, cutting up and being silly!

 The day was so pleasant and it seemed like it took only a moment to come and then go.  We visited with 'Grandma and Grandpa' and then we were on our way back home.

Thanks for coming by to share our trip with us! 

Football Fun With The Boys

Our sons really like to have fun with their friends.  So for Austin's birthday, we had a "FOOTBALL PARTY" at  a nearby park that had lots and lots of room for lots and lots of boys to run and play football. 

Here are some pics of the day...Thanks guys for coming...you made the day!

Well, it seemed to me like they all had a great time and we're looking forward to doing it again...just for the fun of it. 

Our B-A-B-Y turned "8"!!!

It seems like its gone by so fast.  Our youngest son has just turned 8 years old!  Austin Parker (1st & middle name-I call him that) is so full of life and ready to take on anything fun, playful and muddy! I love it.  Having boys has taught me so much.  I love that too!  

Every birthday we do a little something special for each of our children.  Since we don't DO a big party  'EV'ery year, we always do this one little thing..we find out what they've been wanting and get it for them, then we get 2 balloons, a cool card and wrap the balloon strings around the gift and place it at the end of their bed. (With the ribbon, little package, balloons and all, it looks so cool to wake up to on your birthday) When they wake up on their birthday, the first thing they see is their balloons and little gift waiting for them.  They come running out of their room, bringing their gift, and ready to open it up.  

This year, Austin has been enjoying playing football and his favorite team is a local college team.  So, his gift was a cool mouth piece, 'eye' black, and a jersey...complete with the #8!  

 Another thing we always do is let the birthday kid pick everything they want to eat, all day long, for every meal.   For breakfast he wanted his favorite 'HOMEMADE PANCAKES' with homemade syrup, and also some bacon with OJ.  Nachos and salsa for lunch and then we took him to his favorite restaurant.  It's one where he can eat as much as he wants and then lots of 'dessert'!!  Can you guess...Ryan's!  Not my fav, but afterall, it was his day.  Thank goodness he got a good breakfast and lunch.

 Then this year we decided to have a BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR HIM.  He wanted to play football with his friends and eat cake and icecream and lots of chips...we've been planning for a few weeks and gave out the invitations a week ago...so much excitement...we wake up this morning and it's pouring down rain, thunderstorms expected A-L-L day and lots of wind.  So.  What to do?!?  I tell him, "Let's just have party here with family, put out all the balloons & streamers, get out the cake-icecream-chips and extra cupcakes along with the soda and candy...we're gonna have a party...right here and you can play games, watch a movie, play playstation football, and anything else you want...IT'S YOUR DAY!   Let's just have fun."  

That's just what we're doing. Right now he's having a blast with his bro's and sis's and I'm sitting here posting about it all.  That's the end of posting for me...I'm going to go play with them and eat a cupcake & doritos...we already had one for breakfast...and lunch...now for snack.