VBS 2013 - Jungle Jaunt

This year the whole family was involved in VBS.  Believe it or not, this was the first year I've ever been a teacher of VBS.  I've done about everything else, from directing it, to snacks, to registration to recreation but never a teacher.  But this year, that's was where the need was so I stepped up.  I taught the graduating 1st graders, which put me as Julianna's teacher, which I loved.

I had a great helper, Kayla, who is going to be a Senior this year and a great group of students.  I loved it.  Rebecca helped in the craft area and Christian was a helper in the pre-school class.  So we were all pretty worn out by the time we got home but loved every minute of it.  So as usual, here are some of my fun pictures to share!

Julianna helped me decorate the room

I'm not creative or crafty but I was pretty pleased how our room turned out.  We used our Jumbo Soccer umbrella as our tent and had lessons under it.  Kids loved it

Julianna climbing a tree

This crew helped me decorate so I treated them out for frozen yogurt afterwards

Some of the girls in my class - those jungle bandaids were a hit

Julianna helping Rebecca in crafts

My awesome helper, Kayla and me

Love this picture of Julianna and Kayla

Christian helped with the music too - it's so great to have the big guys help with the words and motions.  These young guys need to see the

Rebecca dressed up for the last night

My class - small but perfect for me!

Father's Day 2013

As always, I insisted on pictures after church.  These are always some of my favorite of the whole year - the people I love the most in the world all together in a picture!!!

Happy Father's Day, Matthew.  You are an amazing husband and father and I love you very much!

Christian - age 15

Rebecca - age 14

Julianna - age 7

Julianna and Holly playing around waiting on picture time!  Love those ears

Christian Vanderbilt Kicking Camp

So after much thought and deliberation, Christian has decided that he would like to be the kicker on the High School football team.  He has not played football at all so we thought it would be a good idea for him to go to a camp this summer to get an idea of football kicking.

We got him signed up to go to one at Vanderbilt University and were so excited about it.  Matthew took him and pretty quickly, I got some texts saying it wasn't quite what we thought.  Turns out, it was more of an identification camp for current players.  Christian was a bit intimidated but Matthew said he did a great job holding his own, especially since he had never even tried to kick at the uprights.  He was able to get some good information and we look forward to what the upcoming season holds for us.

Here are a few pictures Matthew sent me throughout the day.

Christian is standing behind the BIG guy in line!!!

He's number 517 in the back (the one with really white arms!)

The beautiful campuse

Vanderbilt's football coach, James Franklin, was out there on the field with them.  Matt was very impressed with him

Someone didn't think about sunscreen....

Look at those red arms!!!

Rebecca's 14th Birthday Day

I left Rachel's house on the morning of June 1st so Julianna and I could swing through South Fulton, TN to surprise Rebecca on her real birthday.  We brought cupcakes and a little gift for her.  She was surprised - not sure how excited she was to see us (I think we were cramping her style - I don't know....she's 14.....nobody knows!!)  Anyway, it was great to see her and love on her for her birthday - then Julianna and I hit the road for the rest of our trip home.

Visiting Rachel in Oklahoma

While the big kid went on their Mission Trip, Julianna and I took a road trip to Oklahoma to visit my sister Rachel and her family.  We were able to stay a few days and had a great visit together.  We did a few things but mostly stayed in and played at home.  Here are some of the pictures from our visit.

This picture arrived to my phone the morning I was driving to Oklahoma.  I think Rachel felt it was a good idea to go ahead and announce their news to the family so I wouldn't wonder why she was sick my whole visit!  So excited!

One day we went to the library and saw an animal show.  Payne was scared to death at first but eventually warmed up.

This was some screeching armadillo - very interesting...and loud!!

Love this picture - Family reading time before bed

We went to a friend's house and borrowed their backyard for a little bit - the kids had fun getting out and jumping and swinging until it began to rain on us

What a cutie.

Caught this of Payne praying at lunchtime.  So precious

These girls were so fun together

The kids made a band (I won't make you sit through the video of that!!)  But here is Addelyn practicing

Our little drummer boy

And Julianna singing and on percussion

Bandaids were a big hit this week!

Enjoying some very messy and blue cupcakes!

We had tornadoes passing by very close so we ended up in the bathroom around midnight!

We stayed entertained on the Ipad and Iphones.  Thank goodness for electricity!!!  Needless to say, we were all safe and sound!

Saying goodbye is always hard, but I am so thankful for the time I had with my beautiful baby sister.  Love her and her family to death!!!!

Mission Trip - Rebecca's View

On May 28th, the big kids headed to West TN on their first ever Missions Trip.  They went to South Fulton and stayed at a church there and helped with work projects at the church and then did some service projects in the community and held a Bible Club for City kids.  They had a great time and learned a lot and as you always hear, it changed them forever.

Rebecca took TONS of pictures and so I went through them and picked out some good ones with them in them to share - this is the mission trip from her view!!