June 29, 2008

The tree


Here is a closeup and a faraway pic of the Poinsettia tree in our yard--it blooms a brilliant red every May-July. It is by far my favorite thing about the house.

By the way--that is NOT our van---it belongs to the church, it's Matt's ride for church business...just wanted to clarify that before the Minivan Family jokes started...

Picture Post

And now, for a few pics from the Hays visit to Central FL...
Uncle Brad and Noah wearing 3-D glasses at the IMAX show at Kennedy Space Center

In front of our beeeeeautiful tree--the only plant I have not been able to kill

Grandpa and Noah after a bath
Grandma and Noah sharing a smile
Before Goodbyes:
At Kennedy Space Center--that is the Saturn V rocket behind them...the one that sent the Apollo missions to the moon...pretty cool.

June 28, 2008

Summer Days--a Catch up

Wow, it has been over a month since I blogged! I can't hardly believe it...or is it "CAN hardly believe"?... Have you been waiting my next post? Or just new pictures? Well, I have both for you today. We gave up our internet service at the house which explains why its been hard for me to post this last month. Our first initial year's deal (cost )went up $25 a month and the service was spotty at best to begin with. So we are trying to go without for a while. It doesn't affect Matt as much as me, because he has internet everyday at the office. I have to go TO THE OFFICE to use it, and with Noah, well let's just say he is at a very HIGH-MAINTENANCE stage in life right now.

Summer is also upon us, which for a youth pastor's family means the busy-est part of the year. I imagine it's like April for the IRS or Black Friday for Retail stores. Since our trip to TN in May, we have survived 2 high school graduations, 3 grad parties, a weekend retreat to Georgia, Youth Camp, 3 Saturdays full of VBS, and Matt has preached twice on Sun a.m. Noah and I did not attend all of the above mentioned events; however, we did get to endure being home together while Matt was gone at all of those places! In many cases I would have enjoyed going along (with Noah too) instead of being home alone with a near 16 month old who has learned to climb on EVERYthing and is turning 16 months into the new "Terrible twos." I am SURE there is only more grief and frustration to come, but let me just say that this week, the little man has turned into the HULK. He is everywhere and in everything and throwing or dumping everything he can get his little hands on. It is fun to watch, and yet tiring at the same time.

In the past 3 weeks we have also been priviledged to have both sets of our parents and my brother Brad come to visit. They were both able to stay for a good few days and we enjoyed our times with them as well as having "breaks" from Noah. Here are a few pics from the Hawkins visit, and I'll add some of the Hays' time next.

First, Noah's BFFs Deven and Brandon (neighbors who go to our church). Yes they are a bit older than him, but he doesn't seem to notice. He's just one of the boys. When we go outside to play now, he runs to their house and knocks on the door to see if they can play. They're really sweet with him.
N and his Papaw on the swing

N and his Gigi--can't get him out of the wagon even for a picture

Momma and Noah at the beach.