Pics from the Wedding

I don't think I ever posted about our wedding renewal we had on August 22, 2009. Honestly, I just downloaded my professional pics a few days ago. So for my out of town friends who couldn't make it, here are a few. On our 10th anniversary, Vince gave me an envelope and in that envelope was a gift certificate from my friend Renate' for some wedding pictures. That was by far the biggest gift, most surprising gift I have ever received! I just held Vince and cried!!! I have always regretted not having pics (well, I had two) but I wasn't the most flattering in my "big white tent" of a dress. Now, of course, Vince had just got me pics, but I couldn't just have pics! We asked Pastor Bill to renew and we had a party afterwards at my parents, complete with DJ's and dancing! In case you were wondering, Vince cried through most of the ceremony!

Grant's Farm

We visited Grant's Farm and saw the Clydesdales, ponies, birds, deer, turtles and many other animals. There was a sprinkler bridge and seeing Titus with his hair all white was quite a site! We saw a bird show and ate snowcones while Vince enjoyed the free beer samples.

St. Louis!

July 2-6, we went to St. Louis for a family vacation. It was the best vacation we've had in a long time. We went to the City Museum filled with slides, tunnels, a ferris wheel on top of the 12 story building and much, much more. We stayed there 12 hours it was that much fun! On the 4th, we watched fireworks at a town called Webster Groves, and I've got to tell you, it was the best fireworks show we have ever seen (and we saw Telluride's last year--didn't even compare). It was a great town and we let our kids ride some carnie rides. We went to the Magic House, where the kids pretend-played doctor, grocery store, CSI Agent, house, construction builder, etc. They were busy workers!!! We also headed to Grant's Farm for some free beer samples for Vince and a bird show, goat feeding and animal watching for the kids. Finally, we headed to the Arch. It was crowded and we were pooped out. We got home at 1 am, just a couple hours before Alex got sick, Vince got pinkeye and then it all went downhill after that. Here are tons of pictures of us at City Museum. More to come of the other adventures during our trip.

Vince, the fowl slayer

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.-Matt. 10:29

On our way back from Topeka last night, a bird flew out of no where, smack into our Tahoe. Vince thought it must still be on the car, because all we saw were white feathers flying in the wind behind us. Oh, how sad! When we got home, sure enough, the bird was still there. We removed it with a shovel and Lila swore it wasn't dead yet, since its eyes were still open. We stopped her just in time from beating it with the shovel.

On a happy note, we saw Marmaduke and enjoyed Olive Garden. It was a great Sunday to NOT work on the fence and just spend time as a family. Oh, and the clouds were AMAZING last night!!! I think the clouds are getting more and more incredible. God is so good!

May Birthdays!

This is a whole lot late in posting, but in May we had a family "May Birthday Party" for Mae, Titus, and Alex. Titus had a fun time playing in the water and jumping on the trampoline at Nana and Papa's house. I made a cake for Alex and later she did get to have a few friends spend the night. Tomorrow was supposed to be Haley and Lila's friend birthday party (Lila didn't get to have hers, since we were in Ethiopia), but considering Alex, Vince, and Haley all have fevers, headaches and can't get out of bed, we decided to postpone.

Lila's Dance Recital

Lila was in a Christian Dance Group throughout this year. Sometimes she liked it, sometimes she dreaded going, but she sure did shine during her recital. It was so amazing seeing my little girl dance! This will probably be the last recital however, since she wants "to learn how to play the flupe".