Special Wednesday

I went to Courtney's to visit with she and the kids yesterday ~

along with some special friends ~

Beverly, a longtime friend of mine

and Sifa, a sweet girl from Rwanda who has touched all of our lives.

Beverly and Sifa

Bev greeting everyone {she is AMAZING with kids ~ and people in general!)

Courtney and Bev used to teach together at

Immanuel Christian School

The kids all had a GREAT time together

(yep, we're eating lunch at McD!)

So fun!!!!!

special "new" friends

Wonderfull time together ~

{remember......Courtney and Pat's new boys are coming from Rwanda,

so this was very special indeed)

Happy Birthday Alden

We wish a wonderful day ~ July 25

we love to celebrate you!

You are a man of character ~

you consider people.......

You love backhoes and outside

You are the hardest worker I have EVER known

and.....you LOVE it! It is who you are.

You know how to relax and I love that too

{though you don't get to often enough}

I see the PEACE in your face :)

You are a wonderful, caring husband

and....I love you very much.

You make my life fun and meaningful. :)

You love and GIVE to your family

Your kids are so important to you

You love your grandkids so much ~

and have so much fun with them.

You are a good friend (to many wonderful people!)

You are a good brother

and brother in law

You are a military man ~ and love the mission of that

You are a distinguished man in all you do.....

I love you ~ I respect you.

We all do.

You are a blessing to so many.

God's blessings on you my husband.

Happy Birthday (still in your 50's!!!!!!!)

Happy Birthday Sawyer

You are 2!!!!!!!

What a wonderful day it was when you were born!!!! We rejoiced that you were here!

You have a most special family ~

We love you so much.

You love balls and outside

Your best bud ~ you are quite the pair!

you love tractors (backhoes!)

and trucks (and Papa!)

You are one precious little boy ~

we pray God's blessings on you this day and throughout your lifetime!

Happy Birthday Sawyer~

We love you.

Celebrating Sawyer

Who turns 2 on Thursday ~

Sawyer is so sweet ~

oh how we love him.

Off we went to McD for dinner oh yeah ordering just the right thing

what fun ........

we had together!

stopped by the playground on the way home

Sawyer is quiet ~

but full of expression.

headed to the slide with Papa

Adorable

Home to open gifts

looks interesting!

checking out the tractor ~

{like Papa.... like grandson!}

We are blessed with Sawyer in our lives.

Happy Birthday dear Sawyer.

We love you ~

{We had such a GREAT time with you!}

Lunch with Steve and Hannah

Sunday afternoon ~

Hannah and Steve making their way to the restaurant

deciding on our choice for lunch "it all looks good"! What a fun time we had ~ getting caught up....listening to dreams..... and just enjoying each other. Special.

Sister Get Away ~ Celebrating Kim

Friday ~ Saturday

Susan, Kim and I got away together.

What a treat it was for us ~ we rarely do this ........JUST sisters.

The occasion was Kim's b'day ~ and Susan and I wanted to do something

really special for her. So......we met up (you notice we have Dianne with us ~ the 4th sister....who lives in CA) We went to Arlington Cemetery to visit our parents grave ( a special way to start our time together), had a drive by tour of the DC monuments, went to National Harbor..... and Old Town Alexandria. What a wonderful time we had!!!!!!! Flowers for the cemetery Our Daddy and Mother ~ A sweet time we had.

Our "get away" all done in HOT and HUMID weather.....

but we made it just fine!

Then headed over to the National Harbor ~

There it is!!!!!!

So beautiful and fun

Arriving at our hotel ~

:)

settling in ~

and the fun continues ~

We love spending time together!

We headed to the Gaylord to take it all in ~

Just beautiful

(and by the way, it is climate controlled ~

thus a dear place to us in the midst of the heat of the day!)

rode the elevator to the 16th floor

ate some lunch and got caught up

laughed and giggled

Amazed by the sand sculptures

truly a sight to behold

enjoyed flowers

and birds (yes, still IN the Gaylord)

We had the best time

(and remember we're still staying COOL

at the climate controlled hotel)!

We freshened up and headed to dinner

Found a great restaurant

had a great meal and more laughing to be had

What did we find as we left the restaurant .....

but the most beautiful sunset!

Gorgeous....relecting on the river

Walked down to the water

Um ~ beauuuuutiful........

Decided to take the water taxi over to Old Town

Water taxi

Lovely

Arriving at Old Town

Walking around Old Town

famous "glass man" ~ makes music with glasses full of water

topped the time off with ice cream ~ favorites of mint chocolate chip and lemon custard

Yum and cool

arriving back to the National Harbor on the water taxi

enjoyed the fountain show at the Gaylord.....

then headed to the hotel

to settle in .....

and talk into the night,

and of course, get some REST!

Enjoyed the shops this morning......and some lunch

before parting ways ~

{You will notice in most pictures ~ Dianne is with us! We took her with us the whole trip ~ we missed her. So.....Find Dianne (like Find Waldo)! }

Ohhhhhh, what a wonderful time we had!

Sisters ~ more memories made.

Cherished time.