WWII memorial in DC

While in DC we had the opportunity to visit the new WWII memorial. It was beautiful. Brian, loving history, really enjoyed his time there.

More pictures from DC

Haddon.... is he looking for Samuel, Abby and Isabelle or just pondering what he can chew up next while everybody is out of the house.


Kate and..... well, her mommy can't really keep up with Kate anymore! Kate is moving way to fast these days.

Will and his mommy (aka Rachel)

"Are you serious? Another kid, and this one is following me around!! Listen kid, here are the house rules..... you smile and play with toys, I sleep and eat whatever you drop."

Visit to DC

We just got back from a great, but short, trip to DC to visit Scott, Rachel, Will, Beth, Greg, and Kate. It was just Brian, me, and Claire (because she flies free!). Claire discovered many things in her first trip to DC. She discovered how much fun it is to play with a cousin your age, and watching one that is older. She discovered Starbucks (no she did not get anything!!!!), airplanes, and more importantly Haddon. (Scott, Rachel, and Will's dog.) She LOVED Haddon, except for his barking, and spent many hours laughing at him. (Who knew a dog could be so funny) I have lots of pictures, but here are some to get you started!

Ms. Tilly

Ms. Tilly is one of our church members. Our children LOVE to visit her. She is getting ready to celebrate her 103rd birthday. She pointed out that she is 100 years older than Isabelle. Do you know anyone 100 years older than yourself? Nope, me either!!!

A tribute to my brothers.......

During Isabelle's birthday, back in April, my brother Mike was taking pictures for me. During Abby's birthday a few weeks ago, my brother Chad was taking pictures for me. Somehow, without the other one knowing, they both took a similar picture of themselves. I assume that they took pictures of themselves because they wanted to be posted on the blog so bad!! Here you go boys.......


For all the teasing, pranks, and silly jokes that you have played on me, it feels good to get a little payback!

More Camping....

A few more pictures from our trip with Grandma a few weeks ago. Isabelle's favorite part was eating marshmellows. (she is still pretending to make a fire and eat marshmellows!!)



Isabelle is experiencing the effects of sugar withdrawl.

Claire "four fingers" Croft

Ok, so techinically she still has all 5 fingers on her left hand, they are just not all working at the moment. We noticed this week that when Claire opens her hands not all of her fingers were opening. (see picture below!) The doctors are calling it a "trigger finger", which rarely occurs in infants. The only option we have to resolve this problem is surgery. So poor Claire, once again, will have the priviledge of going to the hospital. The surgery will hopefully be done sometime in the next month. Until then continue to pray for us and Four Fingers. (not a nickname her daddy enjoys!)

Camping with Grandma

While Brian was away at a retreat for pastors, the kids, me and grandma decided to go camping. (no, not in tents, but the kids did sleep in bunk beds.) We spent our time swimming in the lake, looking at the stars, and of course roasting hot dogs and marshmellows over a camp fire. I'll post more pictures later. We had so much fun, thanks Grandma!!

4 years at Auburndale

This weekend marked 4 years at Auburndale Baptist Church. God has been so gracious to us in our time at our church. We marked the time by having a work day at our church to revamp our children's area, which included converting a room into a larger nursery. We are overwhelmed by God's goodness to grow the church. We hope you will celebrate with us as we acknowledge that it is only by God's goodness that our church is where it is today.

Crawling update......

While Claire has been up on her knees for a few weeks, her only progress has been backwards......until today!! I wouldn't officially say she is crawling, but she is dangerously close. (For those of you curious, she is one week from being 8 months.)

At this point the only way to keep her from crawling is to hold her. (which she doesn't mind)