 |
| This has been a beautiful spring here in NW Ohio! |
 |
| Allison with classmates |
 |
| Alli and Will hanging out on Papa's trailer. |
 |
| With Halie and Burl...self-explanatory! |
 |
| I told you!!! |
Monday, May 20, 2013
Glimpses of Our Spring
Spring Break
For the last 30 years, our school has scheduled its spring break to coincide with the Inter-Church Holiness Convention that is held in Dayton, OH. The convention is primarily attended by people whose religious affiliation is similar to our own, and is what I would consider a premier opportunity to experience free-of-charge what many would pay hundreds of dollars in ticket fees to access. Obviously, a three day event of this kind isn't totally free...there are meals, hotel, travel expenses, etc., but our family has made it an investment of sorts. And we are already seeing a return on that investment because our children have developed a love for what we call IHC, and we hope that they will make it a tradition in their own lives and for their families in the future.
Last year, we were unable to attend IHC because of the death of my grandmother. This year it was highly anticipated. :-) Here are a few photos from our time at IHC:
We packed a whole lot into our 3 days at IHC. Every couple of years, we sit in on the alumni receptions for the colleges we attended. Now that Ryan is entering high school this fall (eek), it's important for him to be exposed to these opportunities also. IHC is a whole lot easier now that the kids are self-sufficient. With my extra obligations as part of the Women of Worth committee, I was able to leave the hotel early Wednesday morning and meet up with the family around lunchtime, knowing Kaitlynn would be in charge of making sure that she and Allison's hair looked nice and they were dressed appropriately. Greg will do anything but hair. :-)
Spring Break was a blast, and we were rejuvenated to head into the final stretch of the 2012-2013 school year!
Last year, we were unable to attend IHC because of the death of my grandmother. This year it was highly anticipated. :-) Here are a few photos from our time at IHC:
 |
| So excited to be at IHC! Kailynn's cheeks were a little blushed more than once...I won't share details...lol |
 |
| GBS choir and orchestra...just one of the many groups that provided superior music throughout the convention |
 |
| Greg with his kindergarten and 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Cowherd |
 |
| Hanging with cousins, Aubrey and Annie |
 |
| Lining up to sing in the massive children's choir |
 |
| All smiles |
 |
| Allison was so excited. This pic cracked me up...I can see her excitement in the clinched fists. :-) |
 |
| Kaitlynn was in there somewhere, but they shifted around and I lost her. They so enjoyed the children's ministry this year! |
Spring Break was a blast, and we were rejuvenated to head into the final stretch of the 2012-2013 school year!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Weekend Fun!
Hanging out with friends...
Sewing with Mama Nichols...
A spectator...
All finished with the owl pillowcase!
Washing dishes for the first time...
And now, the 1st day of spring break.
Mid-60's + sun + slight breeze = perfect!
Happy Monday!
Sewing with Mama Nichols...
A spectator...
All finished with the owl pillowcase!
Washing dishes for the first time...
And now, the 1st day of spring break.
Mid-60's + sun + slight breeze = perfect!
Happy Monday!
Monday, April 8, 2013
What's Up?
Lots here! March/April have been so busy...fortunately, summer is on it's way! It's late, and I debated whether to stop in and say hi or head on to bed, but since Michigan is playing in the championship game and we are experiencing spring's first thunderstorm, certain ones in the house are having trouble sleeping anyway. So here I am. :-)
After Kait's fun birthday weekend, we headed into a full week - women's meeting Monday night and revival from Tuesday on through the weekend. We are thankful for good health and the ability to be in all of the services. God's presence was close and real.
Right on the heels of revival, Greg was offered a different position in the company where he works. We spent several days - right up through Easter weekend - praying, talking, {agonizing} over the decision. He has been doing the same type of work for 15 years, and there were a lot of things to consider. He did decide to accept the job, and will be transitioning to a management position within the next couple of months.
On Good Friday, the girls and I rode along with my mom to Cincinnati to pick up my grandmother for the weekend. We were able to meet my sister and her family (it's Skyline time!), and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, 55 degree day! So thankful that Grandma is doing well and able to get around to visit now and then. It seems hard to believe that one week from today will mark the first anniversary of Grandma Nichols' passing.
On Saturday, Greg and the boys spent a few hours helping a group from our church with trash pickup in a neighboring county. Our young adults do this annually, and it makes for a pretty good fundraiser. They were worn out by the time the morning was over, so we kept it pretty low key the rest of the day, and finished up with a steak dinner with the family at mom and dad's place.
We approached Easter a little differently this year. Normally it is a time for all the kids to get new outfits and candy, but it just didn't seem that necessary this year, so we skipped it. Period. They received little candy bags from grandparents and cousins, and wore their gently worn, sparkling clean "old" clothes. It worked. ;-) Easter Sunday was everything it should be - rest, worship, and a Honeybaked Ham. :-)
The highlight of this past weekend was taking 10 teens to the lock in at our PHC Headquarters in Anderson, IN. We left right after school on Friday, and made it back home at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. It was lots of fun for the kids, and a great time of catching up with friends. I still haven't recovered from the "all night" part of the deal, but we're getting there!
We've also had fun trying out different vehicles over the last couple of weeks...Chrysler Aspen, Chevy Traverse, Lincoln Navigator, Honda Pilot...I think that's all so far. My van will have 200,000 miles on it by December (if we keep it that long), and it has lots of aches and pains. Unfortunately, I'm a little spoiled by its luxury, and I'm not quite ready to lay it to rest. Greg and the boys are determined that it's going to leave me stranded and with a huge bill if we don't do something reasonably soon, so I'm trying to heed their advice and get a feel for what will transport a family of six not-very-small people without breaking the bank every time I fill it with gas!
Well, it's almost morning. The thunderstorm has passed and the Wolverines were narrowly defeated. We are geared up and ready for spring break next week! Then the countdown begins...5 weeks of school to go before we can sit on the deck, sip lemonade, and watch the garden grow. Well, maybe...lol!
After Kait's fun birthday weekend, we headed into a full week - women's meeting Monday night and revival from Tuesday on through the weekend. We are thankful for good health and the ability to be in all of the services. God's presence was close and real.
Right on the heels of revival, Greg was offered a different position in the company where he works. We spent several days - right up through Easter weekend - praying, talking, {agonizing} over the decision. He has been doing the same type of work for 15 years, and there were a lot of things to consider. He did decide to accept the job, and will be transitioning to a management position within the next couple of months.
On Good Friday, the girls and I rode along with my mom to Cincinnati to pick up my grandmother for the weekend. We were able to meet my sister and her family (it's Skyline time!), and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, 55 degree day! So thankful that Grandma is doing well and able to get around to visit now and then. It seems hard to believe that one week from today will mark the first anniversary of Grandma Nichols' passing.
On Saturday, Greg and the boys spent a few hours helping a group from our church with trash pickup in a neighboring county. Our young adults do this annually, and it makes for a pretty good fundraiser. They were worn out by the time the morning was over, so we kept it pretty low key the rest of the day, and finished up with a steak dinner with the family at mom and dad's place.
We approached Easter a little differently this year. Normally it is a time for all the kids to get new outfits and candy, but it just didn't seem that necessary this year, so we skipped it. Period. They received little candy bags from grandparents and cousins, and wore their gently worn, sparkling clean "old" clothes. It worked. ;-) Easter Sunday was everything it should be - rest, worship, and a Honeybaked Ham. :-)
The highlight of this past weekend was taking 10 teens to the lock in at our PHC Headquarters in Anderson, IN. We left right after school on Friday, and made it back home at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. It was lots of fun for the kids, and a great time of catching up with friends. I still haven't recovered from the "all night" part of the deal, but we're getting there!
We've also had fun trying out different vehicles over the last couple of weeks...Chrysler Aspen, Chevy Traverse, Lincoln Navigator, Honda Pilot...I think that's all so far. My van will have 200,000 miles on it by December (if we keep it that long), and it has lots of aches and pains. Unfortunately, I'm a little spoiled by its luxury, and I'm not quite ready to lay it to rest. Greg and the boys are determined that it's going to leave me stranded and with a huge bill if we don't do something reasonably soon, so I'm trying to heed their advice and get a feel for what will transport a family of six not-very-small people without breaking the bank every time I fill it with gas!
Well, it's almost morning. The thunderstorm has passed and the Wolverines were narrowly defeated. We are geared up and ready for spring break next week! Then the countdown begins...5 weeks of school to go before we can sit on the deck, sip lemonade, and watch the garden grow. Well, maybe...lol!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Happy 9th Birthday, Kaitlynn!
~March 15, 2013~
Wow...9 years already! I will never forget hearing the words, "It's a girl!" We knew all about having boys, but...a girl?! There was something super fun about waiting until her birth to find out what she would be, and it's been super fun to be her parents for the last 9 years, too! Kaitlynn's birthday fell on a Friday, and it also happened to be Parent Teacher Conference day for me. So, the kids were able to stay home and sleep in, and I worked the morning but had off with them from noon on. :-) Of course, she chose a steak dinner for her birthday meal. We celebrated at Texas Roadhouse, and then finished the evening at The Creamery!
Friday birthdays are cool because they seem to just continue through the weekend! On Saturday morning, we drove a few minutes north and had breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Burley who were traveling through on their way home from a wedding. We enjoyed a few minutes together over some eggs n bacon!
On Saturday afternoon, we picked up Kait's friend, Emilee, and headed for Dayton. Kaitlynn has always wanted to go to Build-A-Bear, and I was always promising that we would "someday." It occurred to me that pretty soon she would be beyond wanting to stuff a bear, so we made quick but fun trip to build some bears!
And, of course, they were all about wanting food and ice cream we hit the food court before heading back home!
Sunday afternoon we had cake and gifts with some family!
Wow...9 years already! I will never forget hearing the words, "It's a girl!" We knew all about having boys, but...a girl?! There was something super fun about waiting until her birth to find out what she would be, and it's been super fun to be her parents for the last 9 years, too! Kaitlynn's birthday fell on a Friday, and it also happened to be Parent Teacher Conference day for me. So, the kids were able to stay home and sleep in, and I worked the morning but had off with them from noon on. :-) Of course, she chose a steak dinner for her birthday meal. We celebrated at Texas Roadhouse, and then finished the evening at The Creamery!
 |
| Opening a card and gift at dinner |
 |
| Then a few more gifts at home |
 |
| Best buds |
 |
| Growing kiddos! |
 |
| Checking out her new scrapbook |
On Saturday afternoon, we picked up Kait's friend, Emilee, and headed for Dayton. Kaitlynn has always wanted to go to Build-A-Bear, and I was always promising that we would "someday." It occurred to me that pretty soon she would be beyond wanting to stuff a bear, so we made quick but fun trip to build some bears!
 |
| Waiting in line |
 |
| Listening for instructions...so many special things to do when stuffing a special bear! :-) |
 |
| Brushing and fluffing |
And, of course, they were all about wanting food and ice cream we hit the food court before heading back home!
Sunday afternoon we had cake and gifts with some family!
 |
| She was so done with my boring poses. :-) |
 |
| Kait's teeth are still progressing nicely. After a year without eye teeth, they are finally coming in! |
 |
| Allison the stinker...she squeezes and squeezes! |
 |
| Kait loves owls...and ice cream cake! |
 |
| With her best buddy, her cousin Olivia |
 |
| Liv, Alli, Kait Suz |
 |
| Happy Birthday, Kaitlynn! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)