Happy Birthday, Hannah Reece!

Tiny, precious angel...you are two today! I knew that from the second you decided to make your entrance into the world without doctor or nurse present...we'd be in for a wild and wonderful adventure together. Your smile lights up a room, your laughter is totally contagious. Hannah "father's joy" and Reece "enthusiasm" sure do fit. At the end of the day, I often fall into bed after chasing you around in attempt to keep you safe and care for your needs. Oh, but just as often, I wake up to your sweet little voice calling my name over the monitor, and race to your room to hold you in my arms and kiss your soft little cheeks. You are a ray of sunshine! I'm so thankful that God has entrusted you to us. Your fearless, carefree spirit is teaching me what it means to let go and have a little fun! Watching your friendship with Graham blossom is one of life's greatest joys for Daddy and I. You are a gift sent straight from the hand of our heavenly Father, who loves you completely and has plans for your life. Remain in Him. We'll pray and love you through each day. Happy birthday, sweet daughter, I love you.

Poor Sun Commander...

...just didn't see it coming! The little mommy is coming out in our baby girl...EVERYTHING needs to be wiped and diapered...even the superheroes are not safe from her sweet nurture.

Graham's favorite past-times these days are Lego building and Planet Heroes. I love to listen in on his quiet dramatic play...although I think it embarrasses him a little if he knows I've overheard. Watching these two play together just makes me smile!

Tonight Reece just cried because "Me wont to sweep in Bubba bed!!!!" As soon as we walked out and closed the door, I could hear the two of them laughing and talking....sweet times...I'm hoping they'll always be so fond of each other!

To the beach...

Dan took Graham and Reece to the beach this morning. By the looks of their chocolate covered faces...
and the bag full of treasure... ...I'd say Daddy's "nature walk" on the beach was a big hit!

If only there were an easier way to get the chocolate out of that carseat...

Vacation...

Very thankful for a family getaway + a week of study and school for Dan...

Eleven days of family fun in a nutshell... check out first link on the right for lots of photos...

• Day 1: drive to St. Augustine (sightseeing and carriage ride for the little princess in our family)


• Day 2: driving...arrive at Backwoods Lodge in Charlotte


• Day 3: Settling in to our little home-away-from-home and making plans for the week, Dan in class all day


• Day 4: Grocery Run and Fun


• Day 5: JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing), Billy Graham Library, read and play to our heart's content!


• Day 6: Farmer's Market and explore "uptown" Charlotte


• Day 7: visit Gordon-Conwell, drive to Greensboro to hang out with Tuttle Family


• Day 8: Discovery Place Museum, Dan finishes two big papers for school today!


• Day 9: Graham and Mama hike and hang out at USNWC (US Nat'l Whitewater Center & Olympic Training Facility), Dan at class in the evening


• Day 10: Dan at class, packing up, drive to South Georgia to spend the night


• Day 11: Drive to Orlando to visit the Van's Indoor Skatepark (a surprise for D.G.-he's very interested in skateboarding lately), drive home!

*Before we left, Dan asked Graham what his favorite part of the trip was, he quietly replied, "you". And tonight, when asked the same question by some friends, replied, "the bunk beds!!" Hannah Reece finally made it up to the "forbidden" top bunk on our last day and was absolutely filled with remorse for her disobedience...can't you just see the look of shame on her face?

Happy Birthday, Dad & Kailey!

Things that make Dad smile:

*tickling his grandkids 'til they're laughing hysterically and begging him to "stop!"

*a REALLY good deal (translated: on sale with rebates!)

*"ambling" up the river into the Gulf on his boat(s)

*eating his food HOT and SPICY!

*music and movies...the LOUDER the better!
("Play that Funky Music" was Dad's only song request at our wedding reception-it still makes us laugh when we think about that special night!) So pump up that volume-this one's for you, Dad!

*an icy cold margarita while he hangs out in his office

*a phone call from an old friend

*four little people who lovingly refer to him as "Papa"


"Graham, what do you like best about Kailey?"

"Well...she's my best friend...she likes to climb with me, and jump on the bed with me...and play with me...and eat with me....
LOTS of things, Mom!"

Finding Nemo

Ever since we got "Nemo" all he does is bury himself deep in the dirt and sleep! I realize that entertainment should never be the primary motive for pet ownership...they are called "hermit" crabs for a reason...but my people just wanna see this critter move, already!

So last night, I was doing the late-night-tidy-up-before-bed and went over to take a peek and see if Nemo needed food or water....and he was no where to be found!

Looked a little closer...and there he was like a little stunt-crab at the top of the bamboo. Even taped a couple minutes of the action, so that I had some proof for Graham that he does more than just sleep!


This morning he had reached his crabby arms up and taken hold of the grated cover to keep him inside. I'm thinking that this crab's got a plan of escape! He climbed around up there for a long time, and the kids were just tickled.


Finally, he dropped down into the dirt and guess where he was?? Trying to climb back up the bamboo! Seems like our little buddy is finally coming out of his shell...

Sweet Freedom

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Our weekend began with Fireworks on Thursday night with Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Jen, Uncle Tom, Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Brent, and a bunch of cousins. It had just rained before we set-up our little tail-gate party-there was a nice breeze most of the evening. Graham enjoyed watching fireworks from a safe distance-in the open back-end of Grandpa's car!

We went boating with Nana, Papa, Uncle Brent, Aunt Lizzie, Kailey and Ethan all day Friday. The water in the Gulf near Sanibel Island was crystal clear-and perfectly cool. After many hours of playing in the sand and swimming, we made our way back to N&P's house for dinner...just as the afternoon storms were rolling in. Lightning and huge storm clouds can be so beautiful AND scary when you're in a boat. We were ALL glad to be back in the house to watch the wonder with sufficient cover!

Thinking a lot about how grateful we are for family, for friends, for a place to live and worship God freely and openly....for the price that was paid for my freedom in Christ's shed blood...just very thankful.

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 (NIV)