update 2- Dad's back!

Finally around 5 on Sat. night Dad, made it back from his trip! We were so excited to go to the airport and pick him up. As usual, it is hard to tell if Cy missed his dad or his sweet friend Sophie more. They run toward each other and embrace like it has been months, not a week since they have last seen each other. Too sweet!
Here is a small shot of all the kids waiting for their dads to arrive home. We must really be a show to all the other passengers that walk past us.
We love you Dad!
Our fam back together again! 7 days is a long time!
I am so proud of Nate and this trip that he takes. This year he was able to speak several times to large groups in the village. He speaks using a translator and delivers a powerful message for the Lord. You make us proud, Dad!!!

First of several update posts- the beach

Making this his 3rd trip in 2 years, Nate headed back south to Nicaragua last week to spread the love of Jesus. I love that he goes and does it, but man 7 days is a LONG time to be alone. So last year Courtney and I came up with a solution. We take all the kiddos and hit the beach. Now taking 5 kids and 2 adults is not exactly a vacation, but that is not why we go. We go so that we are not sitting alone at home in rainy TN, but are all together playing in the sand. We left shortly after the guys last Sat. and returned home late Fri. night. The ride home was terrible, thanks to my screaming 2 year old, but some how we managed and made it safe. Here are some of my favorite pics from the week. Enjoy!!

My sweet little guys, posing with mom before dinner one night!

Look at that sweet smile!


my blue-eyed boy!
the gang saying so long to the ocean for now
brothers
my handsome big brother
he played with that bucket forever
licking the salt water?? boys can be strange
it was a great trip considering all the small kiddos, everyone played nice and the time passed quickly!

Wordless Wednesday- Prom Style

The thought of me standing there with my girlfriends and our little boys is too much for me to handle. But one day that will be us!!!

What do you do?

.....when your husbands only sister is about to have her first child? Throw a FABULOUS baby shower for her, of course!!!


Today was perfect in every way for our baby shower that we planned for sweet Dana and Baby Andrews. We went out on a limb and decided several months ago, that if the Lord was willing we would have a baby shower down by the creek. And man we could not have asked for better weather today or this entire past week! The deal was that you wore your rain boots and came ready to party in the water. The tables were set up both in the creek and beside it, and the sun played along great as it came so nicely through the trees. Our shower had a bird theme, and we stopped at nothing to make it work. We do not know what Baby Andrews will be, even though the momma bird and most others think it is a girl, so we chose "bright, mod-like" colors. It was so much fun having everyone out to my creek and I was so proud of how great Nate had made it look. We had a blast and now I just can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew so very soon.

Wordless Wednesday- Late Easter post

Bunny treats!!

Why is it so hard to get everyone to look and smile?? Oh well, we tried!

Sitting alone by a tree eating Skitt*les! Until Poppi stopped to help him open more treats!

The crew! They seem so big compared to last year, when 3 of them just laid on the bed and fell into each other! Now we all walk and talk!

Wordless Wednesday- We love to play in the dirt!

We love warm weather!

Once we realized that Wednesday was going to be a pretty day, we called in our friends. Cy and Colby gathered some peeps and invited them over for a day at our house. We warned their moms that old clothes were a must, b/c around here you play and you play hard. This was the snapping turtle that was found within the first 5 mins of our friends arrival.
Then of course we had to hunt some eggs. Man did we have some serious hunters, and one serious girl that just cared about what was IN the eggs. That is my kind of girl!!

Then we loaded up and rode down to the creek. Where water boots are a must, but Cy forgot to warn his friends NOT to sit down in the mud. OOPS, but we did warn them that getting dirty is a guarantee around here. Despite dirty bottoms, we had fun throwing rocks and sticks.

This silly picture taking time was strictly for the moms and very pointless to this group. Good try guys! Thanks to all our friends that played and come again soon!