They're back!

Kyle and Ashley made it back safely from South Carolina, engaged, and ready to start planning the wedding. Check their blog for more pictures from the trip and the proposal pictures.

Highs and a big low!

This afternoon we went over to the Porter's to finalize our beach vacation. We went on priceline.com and booked a Hilton hotel in CA with a bid of $60.00 per night. We were sooo excited. Way to go, Lorie!!! Newport beach, get ready!!!



We also planned to go to Palmcroft for the evening service to hear the SMI (student mission intern) reports. Alyssa was one of 106 students to go through months of training in order to participate in this mission trip. It is a life changing event, not only for the children who attend the bible schools but for the students who lead them. Many children prayed to receive Christ.



Every Sunday night, after church at Palmcroft, we would go to Chino Bandito's for dinner. So, just like old times, we headed to Chino's. The best part of the place is that you get these yummy cookies!! However, one thing was missing. They were out of their specialty cookies. I thought everyone was joking with me by saying they were out, because they know how much I love them, but when the gal brought us our food, no snickerdoodles. Can you believe it? We went all that way and NO SNICKERDOODLES!! (The volcano cookies just aren't the same.) How sad for me that I am pouting over cookies!!



Hanging on the wall at Chino's, is a picture of Tiffany and Serena that was taken about 7 years ago in front of this panda statue. We don't even know how it got there or who took the picture. Scary!! We updated their photo!!

What a week!!

This week was a crazy one!! We had bible school each night this week. Not to mention a swim meet and dance rehearsals going on. Thursday, we went from the swim meet to bible school to finish up for the week. After working at Palmcroft VBS the last few years, I was used to close to 1000 kids, so after the first night with 65 kids I think I was a little disappointed. I had to stop and remind myself that it's not about numbers, it's about sharing the love of Christ with the children that God sent to us. Some of who didn't attend church regularly and who would go home telling their parents what they had learned. Each night we had a few more and ended up with 86 kids eager to sing and dance and ready to hear a story from the bible. The kids would come from rec with Bobby, full of excitement and always WET!! (It was hot all week so he had them doing fun water games including going after the pastor with water balloons on the last night.) I loved working with the ladies in crafts and the kids all seemed to like what we had planned for them. Here are some of the "Flower St." children that came with us. Alexa was able to come with us each night and Nick, Ben, and Justin came for 2 nights of fun!



Friday night was the dress rehearsal (see Friday's post to see her dance) and then Saturday was the big dance recital. Tiffany was in the hip hop number and did great!!



This is Tiff's dance teacher, Stacy who worked with the girls every Tuesday for months preparing for this one night. Tiffany enjoyed being in her class.



And Tiffany's bff, Alexa, who finally talked her into trying dance. Next, she would like to try a jazz class.

So, that was our week. Whew!! I am glad it is over but loved being a part of it all.

Our POP PRINCESS......

Here is the hip hop class at the dress rehearsal last night. Tiffany is on the far left side of the group.

It's official!!

He asked, and she said "yes"!!!


Today while in South Carolina, at Hilton Head Island, Kyle proposed to Ashley.

Father's Day

Today is the day that we celebrate our Dad's. The sermon this morning was on the many things that our Dad's do for us. The one that stuck in my head was the many tough decisions that they have to make for the entire family. Bobby and I are thankful to have been raised in christian homes with parents who served the Lord. So today we say "Happy Father's Day" to our Dad's and thank you for the decisions that you have made, to make us who we are today. Hope you had a great day. We love you!!!


Bobby got a new set of golf clubs, so he will probably start playing a little more golf, but spent the afternoon relaxing while watching golf on television. Kyle wasn't here (he is in South Carolina on vacation with Ashley's family) but called to say "Happy Father's Day".

Then it was off to the church for the first night of vacation bible school. Bobby is running the recreation and I am working with the crafts. We took our neighbor Alexa, to join in on the fun.

Back from the beach ...

Tiff and I left 111 degrees and arrived to a cool 70 degrees in Carlsbad on Wednesday. As usual, Susie planned a great day on the beach with a BBQ and a competition with 3 other families. We were paired up with Susie's family and took 1st place over all. Tiffany took 1st place in the jump rope with 75 jumps and I took 1st in the bubble gum blowing contest. With a little bit of shopping, yummy food and a lot of time with friends on the beach, what's not to like? We had a great time with the Shipley's!

FORE !!!

Today after church we took Kyle to lunch at Cracker Barrel for his birthday then Bobby took him out for a round of golf. You would think that Bobby would have let the birthday boy win but that wasn't the case. I guess those days are gone. The old man wins again. Maybe next birthday, Kyle.

Check out Kyle's blog for an unbelievable 18th hole putt.

20 years... Where did they go?

After struggling with infertility, God blessed us with a healthy baby boy on this day in 1988. We have enjoyed watching Kyle grow and develop into the young man that he is today. He has brought us much joy and we are so proud of the choices he has made. We can't wait to see what God has planned for him. Happy 20th Birthday, Kyle! We love you!!

LAKE DAY !!!!!!

Today we went to Lake Pleasant for a family fun day on Jenni's boat. Kyle, Bobby and Jenni hit the lake at 5:00 this morning to do a little fishing before the rest us got there. Jenni had the only catch for the day.



The water was a chilly 76 degrees but felt good once you got in. Watch the video below and see if you can spot Tiffany and Serena doing the"Padaddy bob". We had fun hanging out and relaxing in the sun. Let's do it again!!

Tiff, take your marks!!

This afternoon, Tiffany had her first swim meet. The bullfrogs swam against the Verrado and the Wickenburg swim teams. While waiting for the meet to start, she had lots of butterflies in her tummy but when she hit the water, she was awesome!!


In her first race she swam the anchor leg of the freestyle relay where she moved them into a second place finish. Next ,was the 25 yard backstroke where she took another second place and then finished with a third place ribbon in the 25 yard freestyle. Way to go, Tiff!!!