2011 Fall Church Retreat...

So much has happened over the last couple of months, and I've wondered if it is worth taking the time to blog, but after doing this for a few years it has become a fun memory keeper for our family. So, I'm sharing old news. :-)
The third weekend of October found us spending a few days with our church family. It seems like we have been doing this annually for pretty close to ten years, and it is fun to watch the excitement build (among kids and adults alike) as the day draws near.
Each year we try to do a couple of new things, and this year that meant a coffee bar -

Coffee (hot & iced), hot chocolate, cappuccino...

and all the extras!

Thanks, Wendy!

An English Tea Party for the girls -

Sarah, our English friend, did an excellent job with all the details!

Who needs tea?  The doilies taste just as good...

Reading Fancy Nancy

Who knew jello could look like this?

And a few were brave enough to try...

Cornhole and a scavenger hunt for the boys

Crazy skits and homemade ice cream at halftime!

The menu included pizza on Friday night, a big breakfast late Saturday morning, chicken halves grilled by Greg, Jason, and their helpers on Saturday evening, and pork roast for Sunday dinner. And the amazing cooks from our church supplemented with everything else!

Our family is so thankful for a wonderful church and Christian Day School ministry.  There are so many areas of our country that are without either of these, and we don't take our blessings for granted!  We love our fellowship of believers.  They encourage and strengthen us along the journey.

Thank you...

to everyone for your suggestions.  It seems like some of them are working for me.  Some blogs are now giving me the option of entering my name and url, which makes it easy enough, just not as easy as it used to be.  If you can interact at www.stephanieburley.blogspot.com, I'm throwing names in for a $10 WalMart card drawing at the end of 13 Days....whenever that will be...lol.  I'm playing catch-up after a crazy week/weekend, so bear with me. 

Stephanie

Problems with Comments?

Although I'm not very techy, I can usually figure out blogger.  Not so much lately.  On certain blogs, I am prompted to click an account that I would like to comment from (google, aim, etc.) and then enter my user name and password.  Then I get a message saying that I am not allowed access for whatever reason.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I know that certain blogs limit access, but I'm quite sure some of these do not.  I'm not able to crack this one.  Thanks for any help you can pass along.

~Happy 4th Birthday, Allison Brooke~

She completes us.  And we love her more than words can say.

Catching Up...Again!

When one is busy living life, it seems like there isn't time enough to document all the seasons, the changes, the progress, the fun.  It's refreshing just to go through the photos and remember the moments...here are a some of them from the last few weeks.

In September, I had the opportunity to take my class (of which Ryan is now a part) to a celebration rally in Columbus. The purpose of the celebration was to help push the Heartbeat Bill, a piece of legislation that has already passed the House and would eliminate 96% if Ohio's abortions if it became law. It was a great opportunity for us to be a part of history, and to exercise our rights as Americans and our convictions as Christians. The kids were also able to see a live ultrasound on a huge screen, which was pretty cool for them. :-)

Ryan's class at the Ohio Statehouse

Allison catches a drink from the "offering plate"
fountain at the Statehouse.

The celebration was held in the Atrium, a 'newer' structure which
connects both of the original buildings.

Ohio's congressional members stopped in randomly
(between committe meetings) to speak in support of the
Heartbeat Bill and to encourage the pro-lifers.

Dr. Jack Wilke, founder of the National Right to Life and
former president of the Ohio chapter, still carrying his black
tape recorder which plays the hearbeat of a pre-born baby.  This recorder pre-
dates all of the new technology that is so readily available today, but
has been an incredible means of influence through the years. 
Dr. Wilke, now in his 80's, is as passionate as ever and is putting
tremendous energy behind this bill.

The celebration lasted for 3+ hours, so they gave us a sweet snack
of heart-shaped sugar cookies!

What an amazing truth!  If only these were the mottos that were
taught in our state's classrooms each day!  Ohio would,
without a doubt, be a different place.

And then there were September birthdays...

Mom had a Wednesday birthday, and after having two root
canals that morning, wasn't feeling like doing too much! 
We did enjoy Skyline together before church, and McDonald's after!

Aubrey had a Saturday birthday the same week, so we partied
with her also!  This was about the best I could get when it comes to pics.
These princesses were hyper!!!

Mamaw decided to "help" all the little gals make a batch of cookies

Some measured, some poured...

and some ate the butter!

Papaw was inclined to take the little princesses and one excited prince
on a ride around the subdivision...there were probably some raised
eyebrows among the 'elite' on the street.  :-)

Grandma Burley also had a September birthday, and we're hoping to celebrate with her soon!
October 1st dawned clear and crisp, and it was time for girls and guys day out.  The guys opted for the gun show, while the girls headed north to Findlay for the craft show! 

Hot chocolate and kettle corn...two craft show 'necessities'

Panera Bread...mmmm

Kaitlynn had been begging for Panera.  She loves their soup, and
kept telling her we'd save it for a girl's day out since daddy isn't
quite into the place.  :-)

Then October 7th rolled around.  We had planned to go camping, but it turned warm and we are wimps, so we took a trip to see Uncle Adam and Aunt Valerie.  What a good time we had!  They moved into a much larger apartment this summer, and it seemed like we had room to rattle.  Greg felt very comfortable with the 10'9" ceilings!
GBS Homecoming also happened to be that weekend, and since we were in their backyard (literally), the kids were able to enjoy some of the Homecoming festivities on Saturday.

Sunny days are great for play...

And for hanging out on the deck!

Alli and Aubrey...reminds me of two little girls named
Andrea and Stephanie in a backyard on Erie Avenue...
now those are some memories!

Then came October 13th, and we finally went camping! It was basically just a weekend to sit in the RV and rest...allergies and sinuses have us miserable right now, and a little r&r was just what we needed!
Now it's on into another very busy week with work, travel, and our fall church retreat to wrap it all up next weekend!
Happy Monday!