Team Cookout

We had a cookout for Jonathan's basketball team tonight at our house to help kick-off their team building retreat for this weekend. They are having a "lock-in" at the Cage Center tonight through Saturday night and have many surprise activities planned for the weekend (I can't mention them in case one of the players reads this before they take place). Anna had such a great time with everyone being at her house and was quite the little show off. I think she could get used to having several rooms full of people to play with! We missed two of our players tonight though; K.B had a prior commitment to work camp and Brittany C. was supposed to fly in last night but her flight was cancelled. Guess we'll have to do it again soon--Anna would be thrilled! T.J., Holly, Kate, Kendall, & Laura G.
Kayla & Alex
Keta, Amy, Carol, Briana, & Brittany
Sally, Nikki, Laura M., Erica, & Keta
2008-2009 Berry Women's Basketball Team (minus two)

Pray for Jobs

Jonathan and I have a family member as well as two of our friends who are without jobs right now. They all have children so as you can imagine this is a very difficult time for them right now. Please pray that they each find the job that God has waiting for them and that in the meantime they will have a peace in knowing that He will take care of them and their families.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jermiah 29:11

Florida Vacation--Stop #3 (the end)

Last stop on our Florida vacation was at my Grandma Miller's house. Anna seemed to be right at home at grandma's and especially loved going in the kitchen because she knew grandma would give her a snack! Grandma took us to the zoo while we were there which was Anna's first time. We all really enjoyed it but it was very HOT and we didn't make it very long. Grandma was a trooper walking to all of the exhibits in the heat. We did get one ride on the train and I think we were wishing we'd hopped on a few more times for the breeze! Anna with her daddy and great grandma on the train at the zoo.
Anna pointing out some of the animals to daddy.
The elephant exhibit. Anna does a great elephant impression so we had to get her picture in front of these.
Me & Anna in front of the giraffes. This was our last stop and you can tell by the shine on our faces that we were hot and tired by this point! I thought this was the best exhibit at the zoo because we were able to stand almost face to face with the giraffes and even feed them (didn't do this but it was fun to watch).
Me, Anna & Grandma Miller. I cherish the times I get to spend with her and am so thankful that Anna can too!

More of Stop #2

Cousins at the beach. Not easy to get this group to be still for a picture as you can see.
My grandparents with their three great-grandchildren.
Aunt Abby and Anna with their sunglasses on. I wish I would have gotten more pictures of Anna with her aunt & uncle. She has started trying to say peoples names now. She calls Aunt Abby "Addy" and Uncle Kevin "KK". It's so cute!

We attempted to get some family shots on the beach on the second morning we were there. What an adventure! I guess all of the running I have done with Anna is rubbing off because all she wanted to do was run up and down the beach. Lots of fun but not so good for pictures! We did manage to get a few good ones though.
Here she was a little calmer.

A still moment.
Our little angel!
Love Anna's face here!
Off to the races!
Playtime with daddy.

Florida Vacation--Stop #2

After a short visit at Grandma & Grandpa Henry's we all (mom, brother & sister-in-law, grandparents & the three of us) headed to the beach for 3 nights. We only got to go to the beach 2 days b/c it rained the first afternoon we were there but we had a great time! Anna loves the pool but also enjoyed playing in the sand on the beach. She didn't really like the ocean though. I don't blame her because I feel the same way. I'll get my feet wet but don't like being out there with things I can't see--guess I'm a scardy cat!! Anna and her new "say cheese" face!
Grandma and Anna.
This is about as far as Anna would go in!
She liked having a bucket of water nearby for her toys.

Florida Vacation--Stop #1

To keep with tradition our family vacationed in Florida this year. We have two sets of family that live there so it provides us with lots of entertainment each summer! Our first stop was at my Grandma and Grandpa Henry's. It was my Grandpa's 82 birthday while we were there. He is so full of life and we are blessed that Anna has the opportunity to get to know her great-grandparents. I'm sure it's a little confusing for her to have so many people to call grandma or grandpa though! Anna with her Great Grandpa Henry. He was opening his birthday presents and got quite a laugh over the card we got him. He's always telling jokes and teasing so I got him back with a silly card this year!
Anna also got to spend time with her cousins Drew and Colin. This is Drew in his car.
Drew was nice enough to let Anna take it for a spin.
Anna and Colin playing blocks.
The train table was quite entertaining--we don't have anything like this to play with at our house!