Thursday, May 29, 2014

Beach Days and Birthdays

Caroline has been a beach baby,  well since the day she was born......literally.  I went into labor a few weeks early on Memorial Day while we were at the beach!   We drove from the beach, picked up our hospital bag and then went straight to the hospital.  Caroline was born at 9:45 pm (just a soon as the on- call doctor finished his day at the lake).

This year, she requested a beach trip for her birthday.  We don't throw big birthday parties, just cake and presents at home with our family. We try to take the birthday child to do something fun or go somewhere that we don't usually go. This has become a fun birthday tradition.

We went camping on the beach.

The set up.
The view.

The cutest 2 year old around!

Well, let's be honest, the beach was filled with cuties!

Breakfast and bible on the beach. 

Colton's MLB pitching arm.
 Way to finish that swing Caroline!
Fun in the waves.
Finding treasures. 
More wave action.

Best buddies!
(P.S. yesterday marked 3 years since Rahel joined our family.  We celebrated with mango Italian ice...yummy! So glad you're here!)

As we walked along the beach,  I just marveled at how lucky I am that all these people belong to me!

As crazy as it all is sometimes, I couldn't be more thankful! 


I took this one today on Caroline's actual birthday.  I can't believe she's 8 already.  I suppose I'll say that with every birthday......it just goes too fast.

Caroline,  you are a beautiful,  smart, funny, determined girl on a mission.  I pray that your feisty spirit will be used for great and mighty things for the Lord. God has great plans for you! 

Happy 8th Birthday!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

May Days

 Our sweet Hermela is 10!!!

How did it happen so quickly???? It just feels like time is flying.  That saying, "the days are long, but the years are short" is really holding true!

Can't believe she has celebrated 5 birthdays at home with us already. That means as many birthdays with us as without us.

Hermela is really such a kind hearted girl. She is considerate of others, thoughtful and boy is this girl a dreamer!


She's had a couple of dreams come true lately.  First, she sang on live national television at Disney.
She's in the front row to the right. 


Then she made her official acting debut as an oompa loompa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 


We are all so proud of you!


You are growing but to be such a beautiful girl and we know God has many great plans for your life.

Happy double digits!