Thanks to the generosity of Brad Black and Brian's dad, Bill, Brian got to enjoy a most enjoyable day of golf. It was mid 70's a light breeze and sunny. A perfect day to play on one of the finest courses around, Valhalla. Brian played pretty well and enjoyed the fellowship of the other men. Did I forget to mention he got to play with John MacArthur. Could there be any greater way to top off a week of hearing some of the most godly men of our time? I think not. The men have a ton of stories from their day and I am sure that they wouldn't mind telling you about it if you ask! (they are still glowing, at least Brian is, are you Bill? Well, maybe it is just the sunburn.)

Is Bill glowing?!?!?! This has to be one of the greatest moments of his life (outside of getting married and the birth of his children and grandchildren~right bill!!).

The foursome playing golf at Valhalla.

We just got back from our trip to Pennsylvania to see Uncle Scott and Aunt Rachel. The kids did great in the car and we got to do lots of fun things while we were there. We started at the park and then enjoyed a day of tennis and wiffle ball. We were able to experience a Curve baseball game for about 3 minutes before it started raining. We braved the rain until the game was called!! We also enjoyed bowling and a trip to Johnstown. Most of all we enjoyed nights of Eucher. We should have stopped playing after the first night while we were ahead!! Brian and Scott also enjoyed lots of tennis and surprisingly enough were still able to move by the end of the week.

What we enjoyed better than all of that was the great fellowship and encouragement that came with our time. Thanks Scott and Rachel for making our time great and relaxing! (so relaxing that Isabelle left a little present in the bathtub, no pictures posted, though there was a picture taken!!) We miss you guys and look forward to the next time we will get to see you!

Brian and his new found friend.

Brian and the kids enjoying a fun day at the park.

Can we watch the movie together?

Samuel and Abby love Hadden!!

Isabelle LOVES Hadden too. Don't we all?

The kids waiting patiently for their turn!

even Isabelle got to enjoy a night of bowling!

A fun night of bowling!

Abby especially loved helping Rachel cook breakfast each morning. We especially loved eating breakfast every morning!! (thanks Rachel!)

We celebrated a fantastic Resurrection Day with our families. (or as some call it Easter!) We are so thankful for the families that God has blessed us with and that we are close enough to most of them to celebrate these times. (when are the rest of you moving back home!?!?!? Just kidding!)
God has truly blessed us beyond all that we deserve!

Married 9 years and still looking young!?!?!?!

Our family. (yes finally a picture of me!!)

Brian preaching Sunday morning. We are thankful for all the ways that God is blessing our church.

Isabelle had a wonderful birthday. We can all hardly believe that she is two. We had a lot of fun celebrating with our families at various times over the week. By the end of everything Isabelle was an expert on blowing out candles and opening presents. Thanks to everyone for being so generous for her birthday!

Princess Umbrella and new dress!!

Blowing out candles with the Childress family!

Isabelle had a Nemo cake for her birthday. She may love the princess stuff but her first love is still Nemo!

One of the first things Samuel did in Florida was swim!! He made sure that there were NO crocodiles, snakes, or sharks in the pool first. Those were apparently in the lake behind Gi-Gi's house. (yes, they did see a snake- ask Grammy!) Samuel also had fun showing off his memory skills as he recited the books of the bible to many of Gi-Gi's friends. Being like his daddy, Samuel fit right in with all of Gi-Gi's neighbors. The boy doesn't meet a stranger!

While in Florida with Grammy, Samuel got the priviledge of going to Sea World. He fell in love with it IMMEDIATELY!! If you want to hear about the trip just ask. He will talk your ear off about all of the animals. Sadly enough he did not get to sit in the "splash zone" at the Shamu show. Samuel said that if you sit there you don't just get a little wet, you get soaked. (come on grammy, it's his first time to sea world!!!) Just kidding, thanks Grammy for the fun day.

Samuel with his Shamu in front of the Shamu sign for the Shamu show! (Do you think Sea World has a plan or what!?!?!) The Shamu that he is holding is what his lunch came in. Yes, he is still eating out of it, cereal, fruit snacks, pretzels, whatever will fit!!! (How long do I have to keep this?)

Here is Samuel with the flamingos at Sea World.

Samuel, Gi-Gi, and Grammy at Gi-gi's house. One last picture before they are off for home. How long of a car is it again?!?!?!

Samuel was sooooo excited to be able to actually pick the oranges himself. If only he were so excited about "pick"ing up his toys!!

Am I only two?!? I thought I was older than that. And what is up with this cupcake. Come on Mom, I know I am the third child, but don't I deserve better? Can I at least have two?

Isabelle's first birthday present may be her favorite. A Cinderella dress!! Now she doesn't have to fight Abby to wear hers. She was so excited. She spent her time twirling and telling us her dress was blue, and Cinderella.

Aren't I pretty?!? I AM a princess, aren't I? (Shhh, don't tell mom and dad!)

Her favorite thing to do in her new dress is TWIRL!!!!

She wanted to make sure that she had the complete outfit!! Abby was kind enough to let Isabelle borrow her Cinderella shoes. Aren't they pretty?!?!?!

Isabelle loved her dress so much that she actually took her nap in it. It is almost time for church and I don't think I will be able to get it off of her. Well, it is her birthday!!!

For lunch we took Isabelle to her favorite restaurant, PIZZA KING!!! She loves to watch the train going around. Happy Birthday little girl!!

Samuel wants to kiss Abby goodbye. Come on Abby at least look sad that Samuel is leaving!!

Samuel and Grammy are on their way to Florida. Samuel was so excited that he talked the ENTIRE plane ride there. If you have any questions on airplane safety Samuel can answer them all as he now has a thorough knowledge of the why's and how's of flying. Thanks Grammy for answering all of the questions!!! (who knew you knew so much about airplanes- although you do spend a lot of time on them.)

The kids really are a great blessing from God. (and definitely a reminder of how sinful we all are!!)

Isabelle is trying to keep her hair out of her face while the wind blows. But really she looks perplexed!! Maybe she is thinking about Brian doing the cartwheel, maybe she is pooping, who knows. But isn't she cute!!

Sometimes she really can be sooo sweet. But don't let her innocent look fool you, she knows she is cute and she knows how to work it to her favor. (no, we are not encouraging her that, it doesn't work with us!!)

Samuel really loves to play with his sisters. He keeps them tough!!

The kids LOVE to watch daddy cutting the grass. Brian LOVES that Samuel is almost old enough to do this himself. I personally never thought that watching Brian cut grass was that interesting. (although there was the one time that he stopped and did a cart wheel in the middle of the front lawn. maybe that is what the kids are waiting to see again!! That would explain why all the neighbors watch him cut grass too!!)

This posting wouldn't be complete without a picture of Isabelle also!! Here she is in her "new bed". We thought we would try out a toddler bed and she has loved it so much that we can't get her back in her crib. She thinks she is such a big girl. With her birthday this week, I will have to agree, she is getting to be a big girl!!

Here is our day at the park. Abby didn't want to stop for a picture, but I finally convinced her. She is growing so fast!!! A lot of her friends are 8 years old. She thinks she is that age too!!

Samuel and Brian have enjoyed a great day of tennis lessons. Samuel LOVES it and I think Brian is pretty excited to be able to teach his son. Like father like son!?!?!

The weather has been beautiful here, with the exceptions of Tornado Warnings. We have been trying to take advantage of the great weather. Isabelle thinks that now that she is almost two she is big enough to ride a bike like Samuel and Abby!!