VBS, Waterskiing, A Proud Auntie and Great Auntie-To-Be

Maria attended her first Vacation Bible School at St Edwards. She loved it but she is our school girl so we shouldn't be surprised. It was called "PowerLab" which focused on Jesus' Power using a Science basis. Each day they learned a different power we have been given by Jesus:

1. Jesus gives us the power to forgive!
2. Jesus gives us the power to help others!
3. Jesus gives us the power to be brave!
4. Jesus gives us the power to live forever!
5. Jesus give us the power to tell others about God!

Working with each other to unite and get up together. The adults had the hardest time:)

Maria loving Art Class

Andrea and Cody (Sister-in-law and nephew) came down with their boat and we went waterskiing and tubing with Charlie and his family and Dave and his family. We had a blast. No I didn't go on the boat. Keeping track of Christina "the fish" was hard enough on the beach let alone in the boat.

Anthony's first time waterskiing.

Joe even went out and acted like a kid again:)

Christina with her cousins Kaci and Kylie at the beach. Christina's first beach experience.

Do you think Michael is enjoying himself??

Andrea had to sit on Maria because she was too light and kept floating off.

I am a very proud Auntie of a little boy names Logan. He is growing up so fast and I can't wait to hold him and never let him go. He is getting so big. He looks just like his Daddy:

What a smile:

He is definitely a Floridian. He loves the water!

Now for the Proud Great Auntie-To-Be:

Luke and Jessica are expecting a little one in late February beginning of March. We are so proud and happy for them. Congratulations Luke and Jessica!!

Here is their family wedding photo. Everyone so happy!!!

July Update

As hard as I try once a month is the earliest I can get on here lately so sorry about that.

We have been fishing and swimming all month. If we don't fish we go swimming. The kids love it. Joe is so good with them. Christina is a fish. She screams when she has to get out of the pool.

Daddy and Michael swimming with Christina.

Those Big Brown Eyes

Boys enjoing fishing...Michaels favorite passtime Maria just soaking in the beauty of God's Creation.

Maria teaching Christina the ropes of fishing.

Anthony has been working for Grandpa and Darren baling and Uncle Charlie tinning his roof. He is gone more than he is here. I knew this would happen sometime but not this soon. He has really grown up.

Michael has been taking over the farm activites with Maria's help when Anthony is gone. He has officially had Anthony fired from the lawn mowing because he is so good and he is nicer to the mower.

Maria is always there to help with Christina. She has realized that Christina is old enough to play with her so they play dolls a lot and now they have been playing dress up. It is so much fun watching them play. Maria had swimming lessons this month and passed two levels. She was so happy.

The big news of our month is we had to lay to rest our van. I was driving home from swimming lessons and the transmission went out on it. I called Joe as he was driving the paver and said, "Now what do I do???" in a very calm voice of course...LOL. He answered the only way Joe would, "Shut it off, bless it, pray and then start it up and see what happens." I hung up, shut off the van, blessed it and prayed that I could at least get home. Well God answered my prayers. I could go 30 mph all the way home. I then picked up the kids and drove it to Marshall to see if they could fix it. They couldn't....with 215,000 we had to give up so the next couple days I did lots of internet shopping and phone calling to find a good deal. On Saturday Joe and I went to discuss vans with a dealer. It was not fun and now I know why I don't like buying vehicles. The good news is we bought a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country with 14,000 miles for the same price we bought our 1997 Plymouth Voyager with 43,000 which was three years old 8 years ago so if you are interested in a van, now is the time because they are in low demand right now. I will post a picture when I take one.

Canning season has hit. I did Pickled Beets and Peaches this week. Pictures of that coming soon to0.

I also had Christina's picture taken at Walmart when I had her Certificate of Citizenship Picture taken. She had so much fun.

Our Guatemalan Angel:)