Friends Visiting

Jay and Laurie Lorenzen came into town and we enjoyed a wonderful 24 hours together. We have enjoyed their friendship for 34 years.....wow! We have loved each other's company and oh we still do. They have four kids and we do too. Our kids are similar in age. When we all lived in Colorado Springs, our kids were 3-10 yrs old. Once a month we would "trade off" kids. They would get our kids overnight one month. Then the next month, we would take theirs. It would give each couple a much needed....... wonderful evening and night together. Two of our kids, Courtney and Jody have become good friends recently.....through blogging. Very fun. Last night, Courtney got to re-connect with Jay and Laurie and enjoyed having Pat meet these special family friends.

This last picture is precious ~ Jay used to put our kids to bed with "storytelling". Last night, he put Courtney's kids to bed with "storytelling". Oh, what a special time.

Thanks Jay and Laurie for a wonderful time together.

If you would like to read Courtney's story of this very evening, check out

www.cassadas.blogspot.com. Very special indeed.

Google ~ 10 years old

Happy Birthday Google!

I just love google designs. :) Check it out!

www.google.com

Week of sports events

Our friends and family know our family loves sporting events ~ we "play" a little at actually participating in it, but we LOVE being spectators.........especially football and basketball. We had the privilege of going to two games this week and had a ball!

We went to the Redskin game with my sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Richard. We love to be with them and being together at the game was just fantastic. And to top it all off ~ the Redskins WON!

Go Redskins!

Alden, Hannah and I went to a Nationals baseball game ~ the last week of home play for them this season. The stadium is brand new this year and just an incredible place. Alden had been earlier in the season with some friends, but it was Hannah and my first time. We had good seats, good eats, and the Nats WON! What a fun night!

It was fan night ~ and they gave out Nats t-shirts to everyone

Some misc pics of the last few weeks :)

Bailey turned 3 this month and started riding her 2-wheeler

(with training wheels of course!)

Good job Bailey!

Wednesdays I go over to Courtney's and love visiting with her

and playing with the kids ~ we just have fun being together.

Joshua didn't want his picture taken this day ~ but this is his drawing of the day....

his family. Isn't that fantastic!!!!!!

Thanks for enjoying our life in pictures. :)

Ayden Phillip

What a memorable day this was ~ I got to go to Phill and Christy's ultrasound today. I SAW Ayden Phillip ~ his precious little profile, his tiny foot, his mouth opening and closing and his heartbeat!!!!!!

It was pretty neat seeing Phill and Christy's faces too............... watching their little son. I can't wait to meet this little boy and hold him in my arms........in late December!

God, hold this little boy and his parents in your strong arms while he grows day by day. Thank you for Your blessings.

We love you Ayden Phillip!

We Remember ~ September 11

September 11, 2001

A day we will always remember...

September 11, 2001.....9:37 a.m. is etched in the ground....from stone from the actual Pentagon that day.

184 people died on September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon (all of those on the airplane died and the rest were in the Pentagon). A Pentagon Memorial has been built and it was dedicated today. Alden, Hannah and I went down to see it tonight and it is very impressive. The design is very simple: 184 sleek benches made of stone and granite with a water pool underneath each one. They are lined up by years........each row being a year.....from January to December of the birthdays of each person. Each bench is lit from underneath. The benches look like airplane wings. Around the perimeter of this area is an age wall.....the youngest person to die was 3 years old and the oldest 71. The wall begins at 3 inches tall and goes to 71 inches tall. Young maple trees are planted throughout the area. What a gorgeous sight that will be in the future....golden, orange leaves in the Fall. A wonderful memorial to these brave people....each and every one of them.

The name of the person is etched in the end of the bench. Some of the benches are facing the Pentagon and some are looking away. As you stand looking at the Pentagon......if you see the name, then that person died IN the Pentagon. If you look away from the Pentagon.....as they say you are "looking up into the sky" and see the name, then that person died in the plane. All of the mementos left on each bench will be saved in a special place and documented.

We remember..................we always will.

Happy Birthday Bailey

Bailey is 3 years old today!

Happy Birthday to you, dear granddaughter.

We remember the day you were born ~ a special day that was.

We love so much about you ~

• your big beautiful eyes
• your beautiful curly locks
• 

• your contagious smile that melts our hearts

A special sister ~ big sister, as well as little sister

• mommy's special girl

God's dear child ~ oh, how you bring us such joy!

Grandma and Papa love you so much!

Happy Birthday, Rebekah

Rebekah ~ Happy 7th Birthday (yesterday). Papa and I love you so much and are so proud of who you are. We love how you:

• give everything to a task
• want to help
• LOVE being a part of your family
• watch those around you
• love to sit and read a chapter book
• love to read to your brothers and sister
• swim
• love God
• love mommy and daddy
• want to be responsible
• are a friend

We love how you love us unconditionally. When we see you... you RUSH to greet us with your tight and meaningful hug and kiss to go along with it. You will know one day (when you have grandchildren) just how that touches our hearts. Grandchildren ~ such an incredible blessing in our lives. You were our first...and we love you so much. Thank you for the joy you bring to our lives.

Grandma and Papa love you so much.