Bama/Mississippi Part II

While we were in Bama, Aaden had his third birthday.  We celebrated both the kids' special days by going to Chuck E. Cheese with Nana, Uncle Hunt, Grandpa, CooCoo, Aunt Sara, Uncle Jeffrey, Savannah and Kayleigh.  Aaden was so excited and Ellie was glad there was food ;)


I took lots of pics... I know, surprising.  So here are just a few...

Waiting in the parking lot.  Such a handsome little man!

Looks like she's giving me a fake smile haha... already tired of the camera

Of course, Aaden found the train.

So glad Savannah and Kayleigh got to be there!

Uncle Hunt and Patrick having a competition like always :)

You can tell he is very serious about what he's doing if his tongue is out.  Just like his Daddy!  I didn't think that was hereditary haha

Nana and Sister eating pizza.

A was telling us how old he was.  I think he might be holding up a finger too many b/c there is no way my little man can be three already! :(

Ellie doing what she does best!

A princess for our princess and a dinosaur for our wild man!

Aunt Sara holding Sister

Singing Happy Birthday.

Love this one of the girls!

Sister may not appreciate all these photos of her eating when she gets older...

Everybody but Uncle Jeffrey & Aunt Sara... Sara was so sweet to take the pic.

We actually got a pic of the four of us... Something that doesn't always happen

Sweet Kayleigh getting loving from Grandpa

Grandpa and Sis

Nana and Sis

Sister riding a horsey

We had lots of fun and so thankful for the family doing the party for the kids!  They loved it and Aaden still talks about Chuck E. Cheese!  Love and miss you all!


P.S.  Part III is coming soon

Bama/Mississippi Part I

We recently took a two week trip to visit family, be in a good friend's wedding and for Patrick to do some recruiting for Pine Cove. It was so great to see some family and catch up on all the things that have been going on.

I have so many pictures (b/c I'm obsessed with my camera and nothing better than capturing sweet family moments). I will have to do this post in parts. So join me on this short but sweet journey of some captured moments that will last a lifetime...
Our first stop was in Mobile, AL to visit and stay with Patrick's Dad and Joan.

 Playing outside... One of our favorite things to do!

 Such an amazing Daddy!

 Grandpa never took his eyes off Aaden.  Ready to catch him if he fell!  So precious!

 Really enjoy conversations with Ms. Joan.

 He has the dino roar down pat!

 Sweet Ellie!

 I think the swinging got her tummy!

 Drumming on the table and watching the boys outside with CooCoo.

 Eating lunch at Dreamland with Grandpa.

 Opening birthday presents on A's birthday from Grandpa and CooCoo.

Stay tuned for Part II

The Letter Aa says aaa

I started doing a preschool curriculum with Aaden called "Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve" by Laura Coppinger.  I follow her blog http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/.  She is so great and I enjoy her recipes, blog posts and the way she serves her family.  

The lesson teaches him a letter of the alphabet each week.  We learn a Bible verse a week starting with the letter.  We make a list of people, countries, missionaries whose name starts with that letter.  We pray for them throughout the week. 

There are crafts and recipes dealing with that letter as well.  The idea is to make the recipes to deliver them to someone on the list at the end of the week teaching him to serve. 

We have not quite gotten it down where we do a new letter each week since we have been traveling and busy.  We have accomplished the letter "A" at least :)

We made apple "dip dip" as Aaden calls it.  He loved getting to help and really loved eating it!

Stuff you need:

8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 t. vanilla

apples for dipping

Mix all ingredients together until creamy.  Put dip in a nice jar to give away.

Stay tuned for more updates :)

Ellie's Festivities

We were able to celebrate the kids' birthdays a couple of different ways this year since we had the chance to visit some family.  Here are the pictures from Ellie's actual birthday.  We try to go get donuts for breakfast on each of our birthdays.  Ellie was a big fan of this and so were the rest of us ;)

 Of course the Princess gets pink icing a sprinkles!

 Not wasting time!

 Aaden would eat donut holes everyday if we let him!

 If you'll notice... this is no longer her pink icing sprinkle donut... she moved onto Mom's



The night of her special day, Grana came over for dinner and we continued celebrating the birth of this wonderful blessing!

Nothing better than getting a bath and jammies after getting a full belly of food and cake!!

Love this tiny little girl with a huge personality!  She is a great reminder daily of how blessed we are with such wonderful kids!!  Love them so much!

More pics to come for the rest of the festivities!