Summer is finally here!

It has been a while since we've updated! We've had a busy month with our trip to Italy, end of school parties and graduation ceremonies. Our trip to Italy was amazing and we had a great time. The little ones did wonderful at home with our friends, the Hembrees, and also with Nana and Papa. Here are a few pictures of some of the things we've been up to.

Here we are eating dinner in Venice...right on the main channel...it was so beautiful!

We brought Andrew home a speedo from Italy...he loves it!

The girls had their ballet recital...aren't they so grown up?

Maybe Andrew will want to be a doctor like daddy someday? He says no when you ask him. :-)Ashley graduated from Kindergarten! Our baby girl is growing up!
Remember Hope's garden? Here are some of the 'fruits' of her labor.
Danae graduated from 8th grade and is now a high schooler! Agh! She was awarded the 'Faith' Award at school, which was a big honor. It means that she is not afraid to share the gospel with her peers and is a wonderful example of a prayer warrior. We are so proud of her!

Jim and Anna wakeskating together...our Sunday family evening on the lake.Anna and Ashley slept in curlers last night and here they are together as curly heads...

Andrew's New Hairstyle

Andrew got his first big boy haircut with the clippers...he didn't hold very still, but somehow we managed to get it semi-even. :-) He's so handsome!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter to all of you. We went to West Palm Beach to visit my brother Jake and his wife Shannon for our annual visit.

Here's how a family photo with five kids looks...Andrew has his eyes closed and Danae is about to sneeze. Hilarious!

Mommy and her boy...true love.

Hopey and Danielle!

Danae and Brynn!

Today Anna had an endoscopy (stomach scope) done and while we were waiting, Andrew sat on the walkover watching for trains. Anna did great and her stomach looked normal. She's still having the pain in her tummy and side, so keep praying for her!

So sleepy after her scope was done. Andrew was very interested in waking her up!
I explained to Andrew that Anna had medicine that makes her very sleepy. He announced in his LOUD voice that he had medicine in his 'buttcrack'. He has exzema between his buttocks and we put medicine on it each night before bed...to explain why he said that. He cracks me up!

Spring Break

We had a wonderful Spring Break at the beach! We spent a few days and nights at the beach with some of our dear friends, Jay and Susan Hembree and their two cuties, Jake and Grayson. We had fun surfing, boogie boarding, swimming and eating!

Here's Hopey catchin a wave...

Daddy and his boy...

Lots of chicken fights in the pool...

Jim's favorite spot...shade!

Danae surfing! (thankyou Jay for all the lessons!)

Hopey surfing! (almost)

All my girls...

Danae was having some fun with her camera on these next few shots...

Grayson the mermaid...

Danae and Jake...two peas in a pod... (notice the ornery look on Jake's face)

Holly and Susan...

Holly and her baby boy!

Happy 9th Birthday Anna!

Happy Birthday to Anna! Wow, what a blessing it is to celebrate another birthday with our precious Anna. God has done so much for this little girl and we can not express how grateful we are to Him for allowing her to celebrate yet another year of good health! Anna, we love you with all our hearts. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter who opens her heart to everyone she knows and loves them with all of her heart. We love you!

Anna began her birthday by having her very special friend, Stephanie Melcher spend the night. Then after church, Anna wanted to have all our family who could (Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Matt, Aunt Kelly, Maddie and Biddy, Uncle George, Nene and Brynn) over for her favorite lunch, roast and mac-n-cheese and we had a great afternoon!The Birthday Girl

Here she is all ready for church after opening a couple of her presents.
Lighting her own candles...
Daddy and his birthday princess...
A fun game of softball in the backyard with family...

Farmer Jim

...and his little farmette, Hopey! Jim and Hope spent an entire Saturday planting a garden in the sunny spots of our backyard. They worked so hard, can't wait to reap the harvest!

Anna and Ashley wanted in on the action, as well.

Meanwhile, Andrew plays with his new bubble gun. He loves it!

One more thing...(sorry buddy, but mama has to brag) Andrew has been pee-ing on the potty each time he gets out of the hot tub. He's up to about 10 times now! That's a start!

LOTS and Locks of Love!!

Hopey has been growing her hair out to donate it to Locks of Love (for the 2nd time) and this past weekend, she cut her hair! She looks adorable and we know that a little girl somewhere will enjoy her new wig made out of Hope's hair!

Two of my beautiful girls...