Enjoying Christmas...

Here are just a few pics of us enjoying the holidays. We started in New York at Thanksgiving and enjoyed Christmas all the way up to the day after Christmas. We tried something new this year, to try and avoid as much bad weather as possible. We went to New York for Thanksgiving and while we were there we had our Christmas with my side of the family. Then we stayed home for Christmas and enjoyed Paul's side of the family the day after Christmas. We had an enjoyable time at both places. Sorry, the pics are out of order. I am on Paul's laptop and I am not use to this thing.

Passing out the stockings at the Young's house...

Grammy Roberts was brave and let all the grandkids help her make cookies...

Paul got some much needed clothes for Christmas...

Ashley got mommy a soft blanket...

Ashley got Jenga from Lauren...

Lauren enjoying her Littlest Pet Shop from Ashley!

Greenville Zoo and Falls Park

Yesterday we, went as a family, on a field trip to Greenville Zoo. When we first left our house it looked like it was going to rain, so we prayed that the Lord would hold off the rain. Thank the Lord, He did. It was an overcast day, but perfect, because the animals were very active. It was a very nice and they had the zoo decorated for "Boo at the Zoo" so it gave us an extra benifit with our pics. We had so much fun posing with the decorations and the statues. They also had a very nice playground right outside of the zoo. It was unlike any playground I have ever seen. It was very 21st century. As we were leaving the zoo Paul mentioned that he'd love to find the waterfalls that are in Greenville. Well, he had no sooner said that when we saw a sign for Falls Park. We decided to follow the signs, and I am so glad we did. The place was absolutely breath taking. The falls were beautiful, and surrounded by a very nice park. We walked right down by the falls and I took advantage by taking some pictures. It was a very nice day and we created some great memories we will never forget. Sorry the pics are backwards. I always forget you have to think opposite.

The beautiful falls...

More of the falls...

Christine...

Paul...

Ashley...

Lauren...

Smile Pretty everyone...

The Three Amigos...

Mommy, she's got me...

She can't get me...

We're really hungry, Lauren...

They sure are big...

The Three Stooges...

Ouch...

I can take down this bear...

He's a nice bear, Paul...

Can we get one mommy...

He is fun to ride on...

This was the cutest little orangutan....

Mommy, he's got me...

Honey, help...

Aaaaahhhh...

Mommy, this lion is a lot more tame...

Can I have one for a pet...

Bryson's Apple Orchard

Last Thursday we took the girls to Bryson's Apple Orchard for a field trip to pick apples. We had a lot of fun picking apples and exploring the place where they make cider. We missed them making the cider by a day. They always make it on Wednesday and we were there on Thursday. The lady did tell us how they make it and showed us the machines they use. They also let the girls push some apples down the conveyor so that they could be sorted for the store. Then the girls got to sort some of the apples. When we went to the little road side store they let the us taste some cider. It was delicious!!! We had a lot of fun and once again enjoyed another field trip. The little roadside store...

Lauren reaching for an apple...

Ashley reaching for an apple...

Pushing the apples down the conveyor...

Sorting the apples for the store!

Happy Birthday Lauren...

Our baby turned 8 today. Boy do I feel old. Yes, Lauren turned 8 years old and it just doesn't seem possible. It seems like just yesterday she was a toddler and I was chasing her around the house. Ashley actually made Lauren's cake all by herself. I wasn't even home. I had to work and I told her if she could make brownies she could make a cake. So, she gave it a try. She did a fantastic job and Lauren loved her cake. I was very proud of her. Our girls are really growing up. Lauren we hope you had a good birthday and that you enjoy all your gifts. We love you!!!

Lauren anxious to open her gifts...

Lauren with her gifts...

Blowing out her candles!

First Day of School 2009...

Yesterday, we had our first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year. Ashley is in 4th grade and Lauren is in 3rd grade. That just does not seem possible. My girls are growing up tooooooooo.... fast. The girls have been so excited, especially Ashley, to start school that they have been asking for weeks if they could start school. The day went well and they were able to get everything done in a short amount of time because the first part of each book they do is just a reading and introduction. When we got finished Ashley was disappointed because she wanted to do more. Then Daddy came home with a nice surprise for each of us. He came home with a yellow and red rose for each of us. He wanted us to have something nice to bring in the new school year. He did it when the girls started school in Alabama for the first time. I thought it was so sweet of him. I pray the Lord will bless us with a good year. Also pray for Paul and I as we will be team teaching this year, due to me working at the Library part time. Pray that we will be able to teach them the values and lessons they need to know and that they will grow in the Lord. Here are a few pics of the girls on their first day and then some of us with our roses.

Lauren with her 3rd grade Bible book...

Ashley with her 4th grade Bible book...

Ashley and Lauren with their roses from daddy...

Paul with his girls and the roses he got them...

Paul and I with the roses he got me!

Proud Parents...

On Sunday the girls played for church. My parents were here for the week and they never get to hear the girls play so we had them play especially for them. The girls did a superb job. Lauren played "Come Thou Almighty King" for the offeratory and Ashley played and sang "Oh How I Love Jesus" for the special, this was her first time to sing and play at the same time. You have to listen carefully to hear her singing because the mike did not pick her up very good. We were very proud of them. They are doing so good with Mrs. Rita as their teacher. We thank her so much for all her work with them. Below are the videos I took of them playing.

Lauren playing the offeratory...

Ashley playing and singing the special!

It's Official...

I am now an Anderson County Library Employee. Several months ago I applied for a part-time job at our Library here in Iva. I did not get the job then and that was okay. Well, a few weeks ago the lady they hired the first time quit to move to Ohio, so I decided to try again. This time I got an interview, which scared me to death. It was my first formal interview. Then later that week I was offered the job. I had told the Lord it was in his hands from the beginning. Well, it was meant to be this time because today I started my first day on the job. It was a lot of fun, but talk about brain over load. I think I am really going to enjoy the job. It is a nice relaxed atmosphere and it is only 15 hours a week, 3-4 hours a day. I will be working Mon.- Wed. and Fri. I will have Thurs. and Sat. off. This week I am working 20 hrs. but I am also training. Please pray for me that I will catch on fast.

4th of July...

For the 4th of July our church does a pig roast every year. It is a big event, lots of work and planning, but lots of fun. Every other year we try to have music to go along with it, by having someone come to sing. This year Brent Vernon came to join us. He did a great job. He sang for about an hour and along with that he had "Sam" entertain us. Sam even sang a song about Body, Mind, and Soul. Everyone had a great time and the food was wonderful. We had the pork, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, chips, watermelon, canteloupe, and lots of yummy desserts. Below are a few pics I was able to get of Brent, Sam, and the kids that were there.

Brent singing away...

Brent doing what he does best...

Sam entertaining us...

Brent and Sam with all the kids...

Brent and Sam with Ashley and Lauren.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy...

We had to celebrate Father's Day early at our house because Ashley was going to be gone this weekend. Ashley was going with Paul's parent's, to Maryland, for a family reunion. The girls had gotten Paul a nice bird bath and had hid it at my inlaws house, so we went over there Thursday so the girls could give it to him. They were so excited. They made him close his eyes and they carried it out to him. When he opened his eyes I don't know who was more excited, him or them. He has been wanting a bird bath for awhile now. We have a bird feeder and he loves to watch the birds. Below are a few of the pics I was able to capture from the moment.

Ok daddy, open your eyes...

Just what he wanted...

Paul and his two girls!!!