Scottie's First birthday party

Happy Birthday Scottie (Kinda)

Today we had Scottie's first birthday party. It was full of food, fun, friends and family. I had a great time making his birthday cake, the first time to use fondant. I made it of marshmallows so it actually tasted pretty good!

He had a blast playing and eating his piece of cake. It sure was a mess to clean up though!

Can I share some with you?

We were glad to have so many people sharing this day with us, but missed those of you who were not able to be here. A big thank you for the gifts that were given and for all the help that I received. I will update you again on Scott's actual birthday, with what we do and some cute pics!

August fun

So it has been a long time coming. Sorry that it has taken so long to write an August update. Our August started off on a whirl with a trip to Maine for what was going to be one week and turned into two! We had a great time while up there. We enjoyed seeing family that we hadn't seen in many years, celebrated a graduation, sent Kristen, my sister, to her first day of high school, saw a parade and built a patio along with other activities. We spent a weekend at the camp where we had a bon fire, relaxed in hammocks, went fishing, kyaking, made homemade tortillas, played lots of GREED and enjoyed each other. The real shocker of the trip though was how good the kids did since we drove the whole way up (15 hours). Mom and I drove through the night as I thought it would be best for the kids. They were fabulous. I wouldn't be opposed to doing it again. It wasn't a bad drive, especially if you have a good book on tape and person to keep you company! (thanks again Mom!)Mom's garden is fabulous... the kids loved to eat the veggies straight off the vine~ especially Scottie with the sugar snap peas. Unfortunatly, Mom's tomatoes got northern blight or some kind of disease and we had to pull up almost all of the tomatoes and potatoes. She still has some in the green houses though. We enjoyed time together picking blue berries multiple times since we ate all the first ones we picked. Mom made fabulous breakfasts for the reunion at the "lake house" is now what we call the cabin. Some day she dreams of starting a restraunt that serves breakfast~ many different kinds of pancakes, waffles, and stuffed french toast. If it was anything like she served us, it would be a hit!

Tim and I built a patio for their gazebo to go on. We had to dig out crazy roots of dead trees, level the ground as best we could, move and piece together heavy flagstone... I think we did a pretty good job. Unfortunatly I wasn't able to see the completed project but I hear it is very nice!

I had a great time learning how to make lots of fun food. I once again helped with making tortillas for one mexican meal, learned how to make sushi~even though I was not that good at the rice, and of course one of my favorites, you can't go to Maine without eating LOBSTER! We ladies had a good time cooking for the group or for friends. I love to learn from my mom...!

The kids loved playing with all their uncles and aunt. It was the first time that they met Tim's boys- Cameron and Brenden, but they took it in stride. We celebrated Brenden's high school graduation while we were up there. Uncle Jeremy was fantastic with Stephen and Aunt Krissy was a big mommy's helper, so much so that she is coming for 2 weeks during her fall break to help me here in VA! I am looking forward to this so much.

The rest of August was trying to get back in the swing of things.

We were able to get together with Stephen's first friend from San Antonio, go fishing with him and spend some time together at a lake in Maryland as they were visiting "grandma." It was a special time to rekindle a special relationship and see how the boys hit it off like they didn't miss a beat.

We also enjoyed riding bikes with our friends Michael and Nicolas from down the street, every day, sometimes multiple times. We miss them since school started again but look forward to the evenings.

I will update more as time goes by. Our lives are very busy right now with Peter building a shed, training Boots the pup, planning Scott's 1st birthday party and Peter's 30th! Hope you all are doing well and would love to get updates from you as well!

Just a quick pic update!

Here are some pics of the boys... Sorry there is not a long story to go along with them but I thought I would let you see some of Scott's newest tricks and some cute photos of Stephen!  They are growing up so fast!

Grammy Pat's Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Grammy Pat's 76th birthday with her.  We were able to join Uncle Chris, Brian, David, and Caris for a fancy lunch at their house and spend some time with Grammy.  We broke out the china, crystal, and had chicken salad, and thin crust margarita pizza. We  were able to chat with her about birthdays when she was a little girl and other special memories, so that was a special time.  We then had cake and ice cream, white on white, Grammy's favorite (mine too)! It was a special day! 

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things I think to be done no matter how well you feel prepared or have done it.  I had to say goodbye to my sister and her husband as they took off for a new adventure in Soul, South Korea.  They are going to be teaching in a international school for two years with one trip paid home in between.  I have grown very close to her since our move to Virginia, and it was hard but important to say goodbye.  I definately did it in my own way while she did in hers.  She has great words for people while I feel like I do things for them instead.  We shared a "last American meal" together the night before they flew out that included turkey (since they don't serve turkey in Korea), mac and cheese, home grown green beans, salad with home grown lettuce and cucumbers, and corn casserole (on Jarrod's request). Then for dessert, we had cream puffs, a treat from my and Steph's childhood.  We played games and enjoyed each other's company. Stephen enjoyed playing in the front yard with Uncle Jarrod and Aunt Stephanie. He will sure miss them. I am so happy that Stephen had this time with them so that he built a relationship with them and knows them. Then, on Wednesday morning, we had cheese danishes, which has become a traditional breakfast food at our house.  After that, Jarrod's parents came and we all went to the airport.  We had a great time with them and are excited to see what God has in store for their future. I am already counting the days until I will see my sister (and my best friend) again.  We love you guys!

July!

Wow,  how time is flying! July started off with Peter being home for the week because of a forced vacation time from work.  The first was also my birthday.  My husband was amazing, cooking me a crab leg feast with my little brother, Caleb and of course the boys.  Scott didn't partake in the crab, but I am sure he will love it as much as his brother does! We also went to Julia's birthday party, a friend of Stephen's, who turned 7.  We had a great time splashing in Ida Lee's new water park.  

Next came the 4th of July... We had many people over and had a wonderful time.  Steph and Jarrod cooked hamburgers 

and hot dogs on the grill and everyone else filled in the sides. Peter, Jarrod and my cousin, Mike, had a blast setting off all the fireworks we bought.  Some were legal and some not so legal in our beautiful Commonwealth.  The cops came by 

and said that they didn't mind as long as we were blowing them off in our yard instead of the street.  Since Peter didn't get into trouble, he has put out there that next year will be better and bigger! It was a great time and I loved seeing everyone.  I am only sad that it was a kind of farewell to my sister, Steph, because they are going to Korea on the 22 for two years.  Keep her and Jarrod in your prayers as they are going to teach international students and hopefully be able to present Jesus to many of them.

Peter is back at work this week so we are trying to get back into our routine.  With the family all at the beach, it has been pretty quiet around here.  Hopefully next year we will be able to go with them.  My brother is coming to my house to say his goodbye's and will be going to the airport tomorrow to go back to the Air Force Academy.  Keep him in your prayers as he will be undergoing his survival training in the last session before school kicks back in. 

The boys are doing well. Scott seems to be getting really close to walking. He loves to be up and scooting around anything that will hold him. He is also getting into everything. The other morning I was doing dishes and the next thing I knew he had dumped over my plant and was playing in the dirt! He is for sure all BOY!  Stephen is sweet as ever.  He has such a servant's

 heart. He wants to do what is good and right all the time. He loves playing with his friends and helping me out with my chores.  He is also a little green thumb.  He loves to be in the garden with me and pull out all the fresh veggies.  Roxy is taking well to being the big sister dog.  She still longs for her alone time with the family on walks, but for the most part the two are romping around and she even taught Boots to go through the doggie door. (That's good and bad since he is not potty trained all the way yet!) Boots is becoming a horse. He seems to grow overnight. He loves to swing in Stephen's swing and still likes to chew. I can't wait for that phase to be over, since he tore a hole in one of my favorite t-shirts.

Next week will be busy. Keep us in your prayers as we will be helping in our church's vacation Bible school.  We are doing it on Paul and the underground church and pray that many lives will be changed.  It is a little different since whole families (parents included) are invited.  We are looking forward to the challenge and I am so blessed to be a part of a great church family!

Summer fun!

We are having a great time this summer. From family get-togethers to playing at the park to swimming at the pool with friends, there seems not to be enough time in the day.  I must tell you that I am slacking on my housework as of late because it is so much more fun to be outside enjoying the days playing on the swing set with the boys than cleaning a bathroom or moping the floor.  We have gone to the public pool in Berryville twice now. The first time it was too cold for Scott, but the second time- yesterday- we all had a blast! We met some friends there and Stephen really is starting to try and swim. I think there might be lessons in the future because he still doesn't like water on his head. Scott had a blast once he was in. He loved splashing and playing with mommy, but his favorite thing was to be in his orange tube and walk around by himself! I think he is definately trying to keep up with his big brother!

Stephen loves all things with balls.  He has been asking us recently to play tennis all the time and one of his little buddies, Michael, also loves to play tennis, so one morning we (the Moms) decided that it would be fun to take the kids to the court.  Stephen and Michael had a blast hitting the balls back at us.  Stephen is getting better about his swing, but he never has really been taught.  The whole time we were there, I just kept remembering the times my dad would take us to the tennis courts and teach us to play. I look forward to teaching Stephen "happy feet" and making fun memories with him.  While we were playing tennis, the babies~ Scott and Nicolas, who is about a month younger than Scott~ had a good time on the blankets we brought for them with some toys, that is until Scott started taking Nick's passy.  Once Scott stopped that, the boys played really well together.