Here are the stories of our busy life. We hope that you see God's Hand at work in our various adventures! Running/Flooring Vice President Al, Teacher/Photographer Lisa, Swimmer/Writer Addie, Master Mischief Maker/Swimmer Alden, Jewelry/Hello Kitty Lover Annalise, and Water-Obessed/Car Expert Asher.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Asher's 4th Birthday Party

A few weeks late, but at long last everyone was healthy, so we had Asher's birthday party!!  He was so excited to have his friends around, to eat pizza and cucumbers, and then to have dirt pie!  He loved having friends to ride bikes with in the cup de sac, and he was NOT happy when his friends needed to leave....
K, Asher's BFF and body guard at school! 
Picnic for some friends
Happy Birthday- dirt pie in his dump truck!
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...
Sweet signs made by Addie and Alden
A ladies man...

Halloween 14

The kids were allowed to dress-up as a career for school on Halloween- Annalise wanted to be a fire fighter, Alden a runner, and Addie a vet.  When we came home from school, Addie changed into a dolphin trainer, Annalise into  Hello Kitty, and Asher as a construction worker!  Trick or Treating was a blast- it only took a brief explanation to Asher and Annalise and they HAD it!
Ready for school!
Some of the crew from our street!
Deciding where to start.. 
Trick or Treat!

Pumpkin Carving

We carved pumpkins with the kiddos- it was a mess- and they loved it!!
Pulling out the "guts"- lots of seeds were saved- and later munched on!


The big kids carved their own pumpkins
Annalise wanted Hello Kitty- I think I did a pretty good job free hand....
Asher wanted a happy pumpkin
The Boys pumpkins- Alden had a face on one side and Batman on the other....
Addie had a dolphin and Annalise Hello Kitty
Halloween Night- they worked well!

Fall NY Trip

We took a weekend and headed to NY to visit our family.  The kids slept for most of the trip up, had a blast there, and we all survived the trip home....

Love the cheap nail salons!  Special time with my biggest girl!
Just Dance with MarMar!
Best Buds
Happy Birthday to Asher and Aunty Jen!
Stopping for dinner at Ikea- the normally 6.5hr trip ended up taking 9....
Everyone should travel with Adeline- she is the Queen of making up fun games, keeping the peace, and helping- amazing all the way around!

In Print Again!

The November issue of The Richmond Magazine has an article about our family and our adoption journey!  It was such an honor to be asked to do this- and our story is beautifully written!

Columbus with Friends

Recently some good friends relocated to Ohio- oh Hi-Ho as their sweet little girl calls it.  The husband and Al have been good friends since freshman year at Liberty.  They have also been running partners since basically then as well.  So logically, we planned to visit them in their new home when there was also a half marathon going on as well!  Al was in Seattle for work, so I took a 1/2 day, and by noon, the kiddos and I were on the road headed to Hi Ho!

The kids were fantastic- literally, fantastic!  They watched movies, at snacks, enjoyed the scenery and were super pleasant!  This was such an answer to prayers- and the icing on the cake is that I think we can now safely say that Annalise no longer suffers from carsickness- she had no sea bands, no meds and even though she watched movies through the hills of West Virginia, she did not even get queasy!!

While in Ohio the kids had a blast reconnecting with their friends- and were thrilled when another family was able to join us for a day!  We all cheered the dad's on, saw a firetruck, ate lots of yummy food, and Karen and I were even able to squeeze in a Girls-Night-Out!!

It was a great time- thank you W's for hosting!!

Beautiful beginning of fall colors!




The Mexican place we went to was famous for this drink- and since K is preggo, I was a good friend and tried it for her!
Excited to see the Dads run!

Go Dads!!






8 (soon to be 9) kids!!
Everyone should be friends with a captivating Principal!  Woody was explaining the caverns were were able to explore...



Donuts for our trip home!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Eastern Shore Fun

We took a quick trip to visit our dear friends the T's who live on the Eastern Shore!  This was the first time Asher and Annalise met the T's which was special and important to us.  Together we have 8 kids- 3 of whom are adopted!  We had a great time- eating lots of yummy food, kids taking lots of rides on the golf cart, playing in the BIG tree house and rope swing, riding bikes, visiting Chincoteague, visiting The Sugar Shack (ice cream place)!  It was such fun- we are so thankful for friends who welcome us with open arms and help us create happy, happy memories!

Fridge magnets with Matt 
Rope swing!
Alden on the rope swing
Asher discovered the tractor and was happy "driving" it!
Annalise loved the swing, too!
Golf cart rides!
Making play-doh!
Busy creating...
Dolphins and her name- totally Addie!
Enjoying Sugar Shack!
Yum!
Love the HUGE scoops Tanner gave them!
Bikes on Chincoteague!
All the kids!
We stopped for a quick stroll on the beach!
Some basketball...
Family pic at the lighthouse!
We are so thankful for the amazing friends that the T's have been over the last 7 years!!