Family Vacation 2011

We are so sorry for the lack of posts lately, but we have been on vacation!

Dad and mom treated us to a family vacation this year to Panama City Beach, FL.  It was a blast!!  We feel so so blessed to be part of a family that enjoys spending time together and is able to share the same house for a week and still come away loving each other.

Panama City Beach is absolutely stunning.: beautiful white sand, emerald green water, and the perfect wave {enough to move you and possibly even knock you down, but not enough to take you out to sea}.

One afternoon we rented a pontoon and headed to Shell Island.  This was a highlight of the trip.  You are able to dock on the island and hunt shells.  We found a lot of shells but most of them were being inhabited by crabs.  We came back with a few...we attempted to find some without crabs in them and bring those home.  Jordan claims that this was his favorite part of the trip, he loved hunting crabs.  Sounds just like a little boy to me...

Jeremiah and Amy spent one morning doing some deep sea fishing through Captain Andersons Marina.  Jeremiah had always wanted to take a deep sea fishing trip and said it was everything he thought it would be.  They caught a lot of fish, enough to feed all 9 of us for dinner one evening!  Thanks for sharing Jeremiah and Amy!

Now we are home and back to reality, trying not to be discouraged  that we had to leave....longing for sand in our toes and some seaweed in our bathing suits {well, maybe that is stretching it a little}.

Springtime Routine

Finally, spring has arrived!

We are doing our very best to take it all in and not let it pass by without us making the most of every moment.  One advantage of living in Northwest Arkansas is that we get to experience all {four} seasons to the fullest. 

Some of the ways we like to enjoy the season are by:

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Late nights on the porch swing.

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Working in the yard!

This garage looks just like our grandpa's garage, so it had to be included in this post.

Nothing helps enjoy the seasons more than remembering how it felt to be a child.  This brings back so many memories.

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Seeing and smelling the new life around us.

Nothing smells better than fresh air after a spring rain.

Not to be forgotten are: bicycle rides, open bedroom windows, and picnics.

How do you like to spend your spring days?

Hope you had a Great Valentine's Day

Well, the {big} day in February has come and gone.  We truly hope that you had a great day and that you had someone special to spend it with.

We know that each holiday has different meanings to different people and for some, may even be bittersweet.  We hope you feel encouraged by the words of Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord appeared from of old to me {Israel}, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.

May you know the love and faithfulness of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He is always faithful and true!

Valentines Day Activities for Kids

Here are a couple of fun activities for young kids.  Having 2 kids not yet in school I was searching for some fun {simple} activities for us to try.  Here are two great ones that I think would be fun for all ages.

Paper Heart Garland

Valentine Mobile

Here is a project that would be fun for your kids, but not necessarily done {by} your kids!

Love Juice


Christmas Traditions: No 1

No. 1

Our mom began playing Christmas Music early in the season - so we just adore Christmas Music.

This is {hands down} our most memorable album

we would play this album every Christmas Eve.  We would snuggle into our beds and drift off to sleep listening to this great album ~ anticipating Santa's arrival.