Matt's 3rd Wedding!

Matt got to marry another couple this past weekend in Seattle. This time it was for Daryl Gross and Linda Balgeman. Daryl has been a long-time friend of Matt's so we were thrilled when Daryl asked Matt to perform the ceremony. Daryl had been our best man at our wedding so long ago. During the weeks prior to the wedding, we were able to do some pre-marital counseling with them. I really like Linda a lot and hope to get to know her better in the future. The wedding was really intimate and tender. We were really close to them so we could hear and see everything which I loved. About 50 people were there. Daryl looked SO HAPPY.

Laity Lodge Family Camp 2015

What another amazing time at LLFC. This year we planned ahead and reserved our spots during Spring Break which means we got to stay an extra day which was so fun. We had always wished we could spend a little more time there. It is about a 3 hour drive so an extra day made that a little easier as well.

The same core 5 families went this year - Truss, French, Zimel, Schooler and Risinger. We were trying to think how many years we had been going - at least 5 - and I think it was our 6th because we have been going one year without anyone else.

Headwaters within LLFC is just so nice. . . the food is good. . . the fellowship is good. . . the time away from all electronics is wonderful. I love that your cell phone does not work in the canyon. It is such a relief. We decided to leave Matthew with Mimi and Grandpa this year but will probably bring him next year - he will be ready!

We have already signed up for next Spring Break! Alivia is going to sleep away camp this year to LLYC and is so excited.

The girls

We did archery and riflery with the older kiddos

The Truss Family

The French Family

The Zimel Family

The Schooler Family

The Risingers!

Girls showing off their skills

The guys!

All the girls

John loved having the freedom to be able to ride his bike all over the camp on their paved trails

Cute girls - Becca brought her BFF Michayla

John's First Break

John broke his arm not soon after we got our new playset in the backyard. No one saw it but from what I can tell he was on the monkey bars and fell off them - most likely on an outstretched arm. When I came home from work it had just happened and I could tell by the look on his face that it was broken. We took him into the Pedi Ortho the next day and yep, a buckle fracture of his right arm. He handled it like a champ and seemed almost excited to get the cast on! And the sucker that he received afterwards was a definite hit as well. I have a feeling this will not be his last cast. :-(

Classic Buckle Fracture 

Loving the cast. . . at first

SIX WEEKS LATER - it was dirtier and more tiresome. But he still handled it like a champ

Note to self - PAY EXTRA for the waterproof cast. I have no idea why I did not do this. It was so stressful on Matt during bath time to try and keep this thing dry.

Last few moments of the cast - he was so nervous about the saw that was going to cut it off

Nervous. .  . 

The cast removing machine

SO gross!!!

Now a splint - not sure how much he is actually going to wear it.

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He was so relieved when it was all over - he fell asleep as soon as we got into the car

Random Pics to end 2014

John in Carrizo

Sitting on the Knox's porch with my boys

Watching the Christmas lights show at Mozart's Coffee

Light show at Mozart's

Risinger, Kinslow and Mezger kids on a hike on Christmas Eve - we needed to get some energy out!

John and his friend Tyler - Tyler's dad is one of the pastor's at our church and had a lot going on Christmas Eve so we brought him home with us after the service for dinner

Santa arrived at 11303 Madrid Drive!

Santa brought Daddy some BOOTS!

Santa brought John a John Deere tractor

Our Christmas card from this year (front side) 

One of my favorite gifts this year was this sweet note from Alivia with a homemade ornament - so sweet

Getting donuts on a Saturday morning - LOVE this new track suit of Matthew's. He looks so cute in it.

The boys at RVG with Mimi and Grandpa

Walking to the Domain for dinner at CPK

The boys headed to Bertram for one last deer hunt of the season 

Favorite Christmas gifts this year - SKATES for all!

Our hardwood floors will never be the same. :-)

Sister has taken a true love for reading - I thought this was a sweet moment

Alivia and her friend Truett from school - Truett was adopted from the Ukraine about 5 months ago

Thalia Ledie and John were fast friends - John even asked if he could have a baby sister later that night! 

In Waco at an old fashioned pizza joint before we hit the Waco Zoo - really fun day

Matching boots with my girl

Mimi and Matthew - when our family goes on adventures sometime we leave Matthew behind with Mimi and Grandpa which they all seem to enjoy a lot