Matching Shirts!

There is only one time during the year where the whole family looks so cute in our matching shirts. Yep, Vacation Bible School!!! Yes, even Brian was donning a purple shirt this week, but as you can see He did NOT want to document the occasion. VBS went great as usual. I taught the 2 year-old class....again. I love the little guys, but teaching that age is just not my forte! Anyway, we did make it through and I am looking forward to next year....when I can give some good advice to the next 2 year-old teacher...because it won't be me!!!!! O.K., it might...because I have a problem with not being able to say no!!!!!

A love/hate relationship!!!

Here she is...it's a love/hate relationship!!!

Well, there are only three weeks left until the triathlon! I am both excited and, well, quite nervous. The swimming and the running, I have gotten pretty comfortable with. However, I was mistaken in thinking that taking spinning classes would be adequate training for the biking part of the race. I purchased my new bike last week and was so excited.....until I actually tried to ride the 9 miles. I thought...surely this isn't the right kind of bike....I am just going too slow...why is Brian able to go faster than me...his bike is better than mine...and so on! My goal of finishing the race in about 1 and 1/2 hours quickly went to 2...maybe 2 and 1/2!!! I am hoping that adrenaline will help a little bit! I have been either swimming and running, of swimming and biking for the past couple of weeks. This has been going great..I might have even gotten a little bit of false assurance in myself. Today was the first time I actually biked and then ran right after getting off of the bike. Wow!!! I didn't even do the whole 9 miles and 3.2 miles!!! I am so excited....every time I think about it, I get a little sick to my stomach...in a good way! The best part is that Brian is going to do the triathlon with me!!!!

A couple of kids and their shark!

We have a marble jar reward system in our house. When they fill the jar up, they get a prize. James chose to get this shark outfit. I don't think I have seen him in the pool without it since. In case you didn't notice, James and Anna are riding atop a Hammerhead shark. 'Hammi' for short. It turns out my kids have the same talent for naming their animals as their mommy. Some of my animal names were, Patch, Tiger, and Midnight, and I bet you don't have a hard time picturing what they looked like!!!!

Hooray for Bible Camp!

There were about 4 of 5 different churches there. This is a picture of who we brought!!!
One of Brian's duties...it is hard, but some body's got to do it!!!
Hangin' out by the lake
Spendin' some time in the 'mess hall'
Anna-showing us how much she likes canoeing....and how cute she is with just one front tooth!

Brian was a co-director at Bible camp a couple of weeks ago. We went and spent the last few days with the group. It is just as fun as I remember it..... though somehow not quite as carefree with a 3 year-old in your bunk with you. James and Anna just loved it and can't wait until next year. Luke, however didn't handle the midnight bedtime too well. One girl camper came up to me and said, "He sure cries a lot, doesn't he?" I almost told her...he is really tired, blah, blah, blah...but I just said,"Yep, he sure does", and figured she will get it one day!!! Do you know they still play the same games? It is so great! Anna learned the cup game. You know what I am talking about!!! She is as fast as I ever was! It just doesn't get much better than Bible Camp. Our group learned so much and said that they grew spiritually by being there that week. I am so glad that we were able to go. It was great!!!!!!!

Our newest project...or the completion of it!!!

This is definitely NOT the way it started. We have worked for almost two years on this yard....ripping up holly bushes like nobody's business!! This is just the blank slate before the landscaper came. Hooray for the landscaper!!
This is where the sycamore tree and about 30 holly bushes used to be.
Look closely....no, your eyes are not deceiving you. We have been awarded the highly esteemed 'yard of the month' by the garden club!!!
WOW!!! So different.
Our backyard. It is definitely getting there!
Well, as many of you know...we have put many months, a lot of sweat, yes, a few tears...and even a little blood into the renovation of our landscape. This month, it has all payed off! I cannot tell you how happy I am and...well, just look at the difference!!! We had our landscaper friend come out and pull out the last few holly trees and landscape our front yard for us. The final touch for the front. We have worked on the backyard ourselves and I really have been enjoying every minute of it. Hooorrraaayyy!!!