Church at the Lake

We had our church service at the lake this week. There were 16 campers that visited with us! What a great ministry this could be!

Baptism

What a special thing for Casey's first baptism to be his first born. We are so thankful our girls have chosen to follow Christ.



Here's Alyssa. God has something special planned for these girls.

Slip -n- Slide

The girls had fun for about...oh, I think for about 20 minutes. HA! It takes longer to set the thing up.

My life has changed!

These machines have changed my life. Every day used to revolve around laundry, laundry and more laundry. Thanks to my grandmother and Walter...I no longer plan my day around the laundry. Every mother with multiple kids needs these and I'm talking to you, Jamie! I can fit two loads in and dry them in half the time I used to. I can now actually have a laundry day where I do ALL the laundry in one day. It's truly a blessing!

Eli has joined the club!

Eli has his first tooth!

At the Lake

We went to the lake Sunday afternoon. The girls all rode the seadoo and the held to the tube trailing behind the seadoo. They have no fear. We are looking forward to camping out this weekend!

Happy Birthday Grandad Anderson

We went to OKC Saturday to celebrate my grandfather's 81st birthday. This year's celebration turned in to celebrating all the family July birthdays. The pinata kicked off the fun for the girls. Anna sort-of hit the pinata. It was more like...tapping.

Alyssa hit a few times, it didn't hardly move.






Emily wacked it hard - eventually (after two or three rounds) M and Emily knocked it open.

There was way more than candy in the pinata. We are still finding new little toys that were in there.









Here is my grandad with our kids and M and P. They are technically my new step-cousin's kiddos and very sweet little girls.

Aloha

Emily's party with her friends was this afternoon. It was a lot of fun. The girls swam, had a hula hoop contest and did the limbo. Emily loved all her gifts - she got everything (and more) that she asked for. Tonight while tucking her in, she said, "Mom, I should have told you I wanted horse."

Heaven Bound

Today has been one of the biggest blessings of our parenting life. After a long, hectic and stressful week of Vacation Bible School....Emily and Alyssa, both, asked Jesus into their hearts! As much as we have talked with them about Jesus, how much he loves us and that he died on the cross for our sins, we truly believe they understand and we are thrilled! They have the sweetest hearts and we are very proud of them.

They will be getting baptized July 27th at the lake! Praise the Lord!

Here are all the girls singing at VBS.

Emily is 7!

Emily turned 7 today! I can't believe it. We are so blessed to be her parents.

She is such a goof ball. Here she is while we are singing the 'ole "Happy Birthday" song!

She was so surprised to to blow them all out in one shot.

All my angel babies!

My mom has always said this and it's proving to be true, "The days are long but the years go fast." She's already 7! I tend to have the attitude of survival to get through each day...trying hard to keep up with the housework and laundry (like that will ever happen) instead of enjoying the "messy moments" of these years - as someday, sooner that I want, these days will be over. I sure love my babies! Happy 7th Birthday, Emily! I love you, sweetheart!

Thumb Sucking

None of my girls ever sucked their thumbs. If they tried, I simply pulled it out and they complied. Eli, however, is rarely seen without his thumb, finger or fist fully in his mouth. If you pull it out, he will just put the other hand in. And he thinks it's funny. He's a cutie!

Fireworks

Just waiting for the big show to begin! Doesn't Eli look thrilled? HA! Anna was so excited!







Anna just loves "Miss Sheila" !

She could not wait for the show to begin...until it started. Then she cried (loudly) that she wanted to go home. She didn't like the big booms.

Emily loved cuddling with great, Great Grandma. She really enjoyed all the fireworks this year.

Alyssa was pretty tired after swimming all day. She liked all the fireworks also. It was so much fun spending time with Grandma Pat!

Eli wasn't bothered by all the loud noises. He just watched...it was hours past bedtime.

Arkansas

We headed to Arkansas this weekend to visit Aunt Shelia, great, Great Grandma, and Grandma Pat!

We had fun swimming and swimming and swimming.....

And playing in the Moon Sand.

Our Church

Some of you have asked...so, here is a picture of our little church. We are really enjoying being a part of the family here. And Casey is doing a great job as pastor. There is one other building to the right - if you are wondering. But that's it - pretty small, about 50 regular attenders and not all on the same Sunday. :-)

Alyssa's Allergies

Oh, man. Alyssa got her allergies from my side of the family...bless her heart. We aren't sure how this reaction got started this morning but thankfully, a dose of Benadryl did the trick.