VBS - The Boomerang Express

Our church did not have VBS for the past two summers. Last year we took the kids to a nearby church. But this year VBS at Faith was back! While I was a "trouble shooter" for the preschool hall, all four kids were in class. The theme this year was The Boomerang Express. They learned about the land down under - Australia - while learning Bible truths. Everyone had a great time!

The last night there was a worship rally for parents and kids. It was a packed house! (The last I heard, there were over 900 children and volunteers registered for VBS this year.)

Miss C smiling at Dad.

Miss E getting ready to go on stage to sing.

Just before C went on the stage to sing, a little girl in front of her got scared and started crying. Well, that got C upset so she cried the whole time her group was singing. I sat and held her just to keep her from really fussing.

E was all smiles while they were singing.

B singing with his age group.

H singing along with the 2nd graders.

After the program everyone went outside to share some ice cream. We're so thankful for Pastor Campbell and all the volunteers who made VBS happen this year!

Virginia Beach Weekend

We spent Father's Day weekend at our beach house, Casa de la Waylands. We always enjoy a visit with Jane and Laura. Naturally, we headed to the beach as soon as we could. It was a short weekend trip so we only got to play in the sand on Saturday.

Ooooooooooo...the water is COLD!

Diggin' for sand crabs with Miss Jane.

Dad and Eagle taking a walk on the beach.

H enjoying the waves on her boogie board.

Fun, fun, fun.

H's sandcastle.

On Sunday we climbed the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and stopped by the Oceanfront before heading home.

See the Navy ship in the background?

The view from the top of the lighthouse. (For those who've climbed the lighthouse with us in the past, the entrance to the top is much easier to access now. The hole is much bigger now!)

We didn't get an accurate count but there were close to 100 steps in the winding staircase.

One last look at the ocean before heading back to NC.

Father's Day

We love you, Dad!

Had a Wendy's Frosty Lately?

Buy Dad a frosty this weekend and help foster children...all at the same time!

Every Father’s Day weekend, the Dave Thomas Foundation receives 50 cents from every single Frosty purchased. To date, the Foundation has helped to match more than 3,000 foster care children with their forever families.

Summer Days

We are settling into our summer schedule. The older two are doing math and language each morning. They also have to practice their piano. After completing their chores and school, it's playtime the rest of the day. We've had an uneventful summer thus far but our schedule starts getting busier next week.

Here are a few photos from the past two weeks.

E and C "wrestling" Dad (C is hanging upside down)

Some wildlife in our backyard. I think this mama rabbit has little rabbits under our deck.

H has a fascination these days with snails.

E being silly in her "dress up" clothes.

H got her face painted at our 4-H Celebration. This was suppose to be a soccer ball. I think the 4-H girls doing the painting are still in the learning process.

C, B and E trying out the water gun game at the 4-H Celebration. Dad even got in on the fun.

Anybody know what this is? It is growing in our yard and we have no idea how it came to be there. The flower opens each morning and closes in the afternoon heat.

Pirates and Blackbeard

Today was Family Day at the NC Museum of History. The Blackbeard Exhibit was free to everyone so we took advantage of the offer. The museum also had "extra features" today for families to enjoy. We packed a picnic lunch and ate downtown in the midst of our museum fun. Photos are not allowed inside the exhibit but here are some photos from the "extra features".

This pirate was educating us in the art of swordfighting. I didn't take any photos of the children participating (none of mine were up there:) but it was really funny. The pirate had noodle swords for the kids to use. This was one of B's favorite activities today.

The children had the opportunity to make Ship's Biscuits which were just flour, salt and water. They taste more like hard tack. Nothing we'll be making for our meals!

E had a good time kneading the dough!

It was quite interesting to watch the craftsman make "ships in a bottle". Now I know how they get those things in the bottles.

Rope making...First you hold the string for the lady to wrap it around the hooks.

Then you turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn and turn some more.

Finally, rope! Each of our children came home with a rope about 18 inches long.

Arrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhh! Pirate B!

E on deck at the cannon...that's kinda' scary! :)

After we left the museum, the kids wanted to go to a park. Dad found a nice neighborhood park with swings. (Raleigh has a great parks system.) Then he drove us to "the purple house". He had promised H a few years ago to take her there ("purple") and never did get down there with her. So today we all went. The house actually has a name, Turkish Delights. Although they serve some yummy desserts, we all had a scoop of yummy ice cream. It was a tasty end to a fun day!

Pullen Park with Friends

The kids and I met our friends the Campbells Wednesday for a day at Pullen Park. We all had a fun time. It was the Campbells first time so we were happy to show them all we know about Pullen Park.

Lily and E

Isaac and B

C rode by Mommy. Christy sat in a sleigh with Abe.

H and Lizzy

B screaming through the tunnel on the train ride. Isaac and I thought it was very loud. While Christy had all the girls and Abe at the very front of the train, the boys decided they wanted to be at the very back.

Christy and I packed lunches for our kids so we had a picnic at the park. After enjoying the playground, everyone got a snowcone from the concession stand.

The Campbells had to go home for their final social worker visit for Abe's adoption. So we went over to the Art Museum for some "cooler" fun. The museum will close in Sept for them to move the artwork into the new buildings. We're looking forward to a bigger, better art museum opening next spring.

A Day to Remember

Remembering our first baby

Gabrielle

At home with Jesus

June 3, 1999

"For you formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them."

Psalm 139: 13-16

Memorial Day

After an enjoyable day last year, we spent Memorial Day at our state capital again this year. There was a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11am. The rain stopped about 3 minutes before the ceremony began. We were happy the umbrellas we were carrying were not needed.

B standing by some guy's "toy" that he was driving around town.

Color guard getting ready to begin just as rain was stopping

21 gun salute

A favorite of our children...the bagpipe player

Our 4 proud Americans standing in front of the wreath