Playing at the mall

Friday Port was out of school, so we decided to head to the mall after Mom's prayer and picking up Ella from Music school. We met Brooke, Asher, and Lawson at Chickfila and then headed to the play area. This was how we got Asher and Ella to walk with us to the play area...aren't they precious!

I was quite impressed with my kiddos...we decided to head into the mall without a stroller to see what would happen. The kids did an AMAZING job of walking together, holding hands, and obeying! (This might sound silly, but really I don't go anywhere without restraining at least one child in a cart of some sort!) Just a few steps closer to preparing for our sweet baby to come...

Jump Zone

The weather this week has been CRAZY cold! Wednesday after BSF I decided to surprise the kids by taking them to JumpZone in Moore. We paid $7 for the boys and Ella was free, then played on these fun slides, swing sets and obstacle courses from 12:30-2:45. We had so much fun and can't wait to do it again!

Port was so fast at sliding I couldn't hardly get a picture of him. He found a sweet friend from Gingerbread and couldn't stand the idea of leaving...so we stayed a little longer!

Ella was great at all the slides too! I actually only had to rescue her off a swing set once because she was scared of the moving floorboard. She was a pro at climbing and sliding down the slides. (I was beyond thankful not to have to climb the slides at 32 weeks pregnant)

Haynes, as you would imagine, was never more than a step behind Port. He mostly loved the basketball obstacle course. I think he probably played basketball for an hour of our time there. He would occasionally get the ball stuck on top of the rim and run to find someone to help him-I love watching my boys learn to solve problems on their own.

We had a great afternoon together and can't wait to go back. Next time we will bring some friends to play with too!

South Africa Bound!

Whitney went home to spend a few weeks with her family at Christmas, but came back for a few days with friends before she left yesterday! (Whitney, Drew, Mary and Claire all moved in for a few days. I'm not sure who liked it the most us or the kids!) We had a little going away dinner for her at Hideaway after celebration. We are going to miss her so much, but are beyond excited for all the amazing things God has waiting for her in South Africa!

*Brian and I had talked about how Whitney leaving might be difficult on our sweet kids. We also decided that since the Caldwell's would move in as she moved out, then as the Caldwell's move out our new baby should arrive, it might not be as tramatic...

Tuesday morning we all said bye to Whitney before we left for school. I happened to stop by Port's class to surprise him and he had the hardest time with me leaving, it was really unlike him. He even got so teary the teachers had to help him recover as we left! I got in the car and started praying and just felt like the Lord said, "He doesn't really know how to communicate that he is sad Whitney is gone." Oh my...my heart just broke for my tender hearted 5 year old. He was better when I picked him up and we got to talk about missing Whitney, but being so excited for what she is doing in South Africa. Port decided that he just really wants to go visit over this next year, and I agree completely! The next day we had another tearful goodbye at BSF, so we are still working through the emotions of missing our sweet Whitney.

Avery Grigor is here!

My kids LOVE babies! We are a bit like a circus when we enter a hospital room. You are super excited we came, but relieved when we are gone:-) Haynes was the first to insist on holding baby Avery.

Ella was next in line and didn't want to give her up!

Great practice for this big sister:-)

Port was the most patient, but is honestly a pro! He is quite curious about all the details of having a baby, feeding the baby, etc. This could be interesting?!?

Brian and Gerod

Best friends since college and celebrating sweet Avery together!

Waiting to meet Avery Grigor!

My friend Megan called and asked me to take Gracie up to meet her new baby sister since her car wouldn't start. When I put Ella in the car the girls squealed, "Hi!"

Headed up to meet Gracie's new baby sister!

Avery was already here and we got to see her in the nursery with her daddy. Gracie was so excited to see her daddy and new baby sister. Kerri was recovering and doing great!

Owen, Ella, and Gracie

Waiting patiently to see the family!

New Year's Resolutions

We talked about New Year's Resolutions at house church. Somehow Brian started talking about brushing and flossing...his favorite thing! We love asking God what He wants to do this next year in our family and making a plan. Happy 2011!

Collin and Sarah Morgan!

Collin and Sarah got married on New Year's Day! It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. We absolutely adore this couple. We expect amazing things from this marriage!

*Brian was the backup pastor for the wedding, because Kerri was due on Tuesday. This meant if she went into labor Brian would have done the wedding. On our way to the wedding Gerod calls Brian to tell him "Kerri's water broke and they were headed to the hospital. He left the notes with the groomsmen and good luck!" I think Brian actually believed him for about 10 seconds...Gerod did a great job:-)