Quote of the day

I noticed Griffin's feet smelled awful...yep, he's two and has stinky feet! I told the girls to come in and take a wiff, so they could tell me what they thought his feet smelled like. (Haha). After inhaling deeply Ellie said "OHH MAN mom, what IS that smell?" Laughing super hard, my response...
"That's BOY Ellie, just boy smell!"
;)

Fun days at the lake...

Can't get enough of these days at the lake. Memories we will never ever forget. Love these peaceful times (yet also chatoic) at the lake. Griff loves "Boop rides," but won't touch the rocks/sandy bottom. Emma loves making mud pies and swimming in the shallow end. Ellie loves swimming in the deep end, making rafts with Kiki, and playing at the sandbar. 

What a joy to have this place. It brings our family together. So special. 

Just a day at the lake

Griff stole Kiki's Chipotle as soon as she walked away. Love that hr loves Mexican as much as his mom & dad!

Random Happenings. :)

 Favorite toy of the season!

 Loved having the Prestons come and visit us for an overnight. :)

 New Friends

 Old Friends

 Jonah turned 1---a great afternoon to celebrate, and see Mimi!!

Our July Birthdays

So this year I turned 33 and Ryan turned 36. For some reason, birthdays don't seem to be as fun to celebrate anymore. Nonetheless, it's ALWAYS fun to have a great dinner out with my/our incredible family. We are so blessed.

Trees

Whilst driving yesterday, Emma asked me if God REALLY created everything...including trees...? After telling her "yep, he did!" she proceeded to say "wow mama, God did sure make some neat trees. Thats gotta be hard wowk. And I sure like the wood he chose to make them out of!" Just melted me.

Speaking of trees, Ryan found this song the other day called Planting Trees by Andrew Peterson. It could not be a better theme song for Ryan and I and the kids. I just love it. And I want so AJ bad for roots to grow deep in our kids, in Jesus, and to spread out and bless. Mmmm, so good. Here are the lyrics:

We chose the spot, we dug the hole We laid the maples in the ground to have and hold
As Autumn falls to Winters sleep
We pray that somehow in the Spring The roots grow deep

And many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn

He took a plane to Africa
He gathered up into his arms
An orphan son

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
This tree will spread its branches out And bless the dawn

So sit down and write that letter
Sign up and join the fight
Sink in to all that matters
Step out into the light
Let go of all that's passing
Lift up the least of these
Lean into something lasting
Planting trees

She rises up as morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone Before we wake
And her heart is so full; it overflows She waters us with love and the children grow

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless someone