Recent Random Pics

A couple of weeks ago, I met my sister on Thursday afternoon so she could take the boys back with her to GBS for Friday's basketball tournaments. Our school didn't send a team this year, but the boys wanted to watch the action and they were happy to get to spend another day with their friend Brad.

Annie, Ryan, Brad, Evan, Aubrey

Late Friday evening, the rest of us made it to Cincinnati to watch the championship game.  By the time things were wrapped up, these girls were exhausted.  :-)

Allie, Annie, Kait, Aubrey

On Saturday, Adam took Greg and the boys along with the rest of his youth group to Perfect North for a day of skiing and tubing.  Valerie had a commitment for a few minutes that evening, so I kept the girls occupied by taking them to some of my favorite places.  They were totally enchanted by the tower at the top of Eden Park. When I tried to go up there in late July, it was blocked off.  I'm guessing they did some renovations, because it is beautiful.  The girls were speechless and totally conviced that it was Rapunzel's castle.  :-) 

Before leaving town late that night, we enjoyed some Skyline. 

This picture was taken on that warm, January Saturday when we met to celebrate a couple of birthdays.  That's a serious pile of energy on that slide!  :-)

Suzanna, Olivia, Aubrey, Allison, Kaitlynn ~  Annie must have been napping.

Celebrations

Annie and Evan's birthdays are just a few days apart, so all of my family went to Cincinnati on a gorgeous Saturday in January and partied at Annie's house.  :-)

Whenever all of the cousins are together, the girls usually play dress up.  They keep us laughing with their clothing combinations and creative play.  On this day, they were having a wedding.  Allison was the bride -

Kaitlynn was the coordinator, and Suzanna the flower girl -

Aubrey was the groom - my sister will probably die when she sees this pic, but I think it is just about the cutest thing ever!  When Aubrey has to play the husband/groom, etc., she always has to be wearing this jacket.  She sees lots of guys in sport coats at the college, and I think it speaks of manhood to her.  Never mind that it's purple.  :-)

 

Evan, the musician - 

I think Livvy was the assistant coordinator, or maybe the photographer.  Apparently Kait assumed the role of officiant...lol.

Annie and Kait -

 

 

On Evan's birthday we went out for a steak dinner...

 

With Mama and Papa

Something for his room...loves listening to Odyssey!



What 12-year-old doesn't like cash?  :-)

 

 

 

After church (it was Wednesday) we had cake and ice cream at home.  So hard to believe this kiddo who I thought would always wear slims is putting on weight like crazy, probably in preparation for a huge growth spurt!  Evan is a great kid, and we are so glad God chose to bless us with him 12 years ago!

 

 

Then we had one more surprise in store.  One of Evan's best buds, Brad, came from Muncie to spend the weekend with us.  We were able to keep it a secret literally until the minute we met Brad in Celina.  When Evan saw him, he just stared...it was like he thought he was dreaming.   It was funny!  I didn't get pics besides this one...

 

This photo cracks me up...there are like three other things
going on in the background.  :-)

The boys had so much fun that weekend...they even got a snow day and were able to go sledding! 

 

I think that wraps up January's celebrations!





Awww, honey!

As we finished dinner this evening, Allison became upset because she wasn't immediately getting her way about something.  She left the room and we didn't think much about it until Kaitlynn came in laughing her head off.  She said that Allison was lying in her bed unaware that Kaitlynn was listening to her as she tearfully moaned these words:

"My whole family hates me and all I have is my Lord!"

Happy 12th Birthday, Evan!

Evan Matthew Burley
Born January 23, 2001
9:02 a.m.

Burley Christmas - Michigan

 

It's crazy that January is well on its way to being history!  We celebrated Christmas in Michigan the first Saturday of this month.  We packed as much fun as we possibly could into that short visit!  After arriving fairly late Friday evening and visiting for a couple of hours, we savored a good night's rest and headed further north Saturday morning for breakfast with three of Nate's sisters and a few of Greg's cousins.  Greg's dad's family reminds me so much of my dad's family - we were so glad to get to see them again!

Aunt Joy, Aunt Marlene, Aunt Cindy, and Greg

Evan loves this restaurant because of their amazing hot cocoa -
which they served in a pitcher- with bowls of whipped topping!

Snuggling Emma

 

Saturday afternoon we spent several hours at Craig's Cruisers.
I can't really describe this place - it's huge, with indoor race tracks,
bumper cars, laser tag, arcades, and buffet areas with tons of good food.

Saturday evening we exchanged gifts and visited.  It seemed like we crammed three days into one, but it was fun and we made lots of memories!