Saturday, September 7, 2013

Happy Independance Day ~ Incredible India!

. August 15th .
We celebrated India's Independence Day....
IN STYLE!

Orange, White, and Green all the way :)



What better way to celebrate than by sipping on a Starbucks Java Chip Frappaccino
Mmmmm Mmmmm!

Levi & Riley celebrated by giving: Kisses, Cuddles, Hugs, & Smiles ALL AROUND!




Happy Independence Day Incredible India!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

. Summer Time Teams, Visitors, & Friends .

As summer draws to a close, 
I thought now would be a good time to look back on how MUCH fun and MANY fantastic visitors we squeezed into those few months!

In May/June we had four NC guys come through our doors for a week:
They were pure delight to be around!

One of them had some experience with drums, so Levi decided to jump on the scene and challenge him to a battle :)

And I MAY have been pretty pumped to find out that one of them was an ex-NFL player... 
from guess what team?????

PITTSBURGH STEELERS!!!!!!
Oh yea, A real live Steelers player IN MY HOME---  LOVED IT!

One of my favorite thing about friends who come to visit is how WELL they love on my kiddos.
(Thank you!)
These pictures say it all:

 We will forever cherish the time, love, encouragement, chats, laughter, and friendship with you chaps!


Others pass through for just a few days, like our friend R-
But even a few days offers a great opportunity for passing on lovings! 

Levi became good pals with his buddy, Jared (pictured below) and JJ- who actually spent 6 months here in our city.
He still frequently requests "JJ, Jared... come play!"
Miss those guys :)


Levi was instant buddies with "Uncle Jacob" when he was in town this summer.
Dads who are away from their little ones are the BEST at loving on my two kiddos.
Thanks!


Levi had an absolute BLAST (eh hem... we ALL did!) when 8 college guys from NC spent two weeks with us in July.
He even instituted a new VISITOR POLICY....
"Dance Parties in the Kitchen" are now mandatory :)

So if you are coming anytime soon... GET READY!

 "Come on Chris.... DANCE!" - Levi



Don't they just look like loads of FUN?
Come back and hang out soon!

Our last group of friends to visit this summer came from good ol' West Virginia.
Pretty much felt like family had entered our home!

I think you can see why:
This sweet man, Dan,  loved on Levi & Riley like they were his very own grandkids- 
Blessed this Mama's heart more than I can tell you!
Thank you.

So so so thankful for this man, Brandon, and how he loves our family!


Like I said... Family~
They just scooped Riley up and cuddled with her, let her drool on their shoulder, made her giggle, let this Mama eat "hands free", and always did it with a smile on their face.
  
And I think it is safe to say that Levi was well entertained during their stay as well :)
Thanks y'all!


" Thanks Uncle Greg for letting me ride on your shoulders and teaching me how to make walrus tusks with my french fries,
 and
 Thanks Uncle Nick for being my pal and hanging out with me and even letting me play games on your phone- you rock!"
-Levi


Dan- you have done our hearts good.
This is just a minor glimpse into the MANY times you had us in stitches... laughing so hard.
Trust me- that laughter did MORE for our souls than you will EVER know.
(PS- Don't be too angry at me for posting this picture... I just couldn't resist. :) )


And just like FAMILY would do... they grabbed my "Honey Do" list and went to town tackling task after task around the house for me.
SO GRATEFUL Y'all!


There are those that "DO" :


 And those that are good at "pretending to DO":
hahahahaha- no hard feelings Brandon, k?

 Just playing... they were ALL awesome.
What you don't see pictured is how Brandon was totally helping me and Gail out with the kiddos so we could get dinner ready for everyone.

"Thank you" doesn't do justice to the gratitude our hearts feel toward you all.
But for what it's worth...
THANK YOU!
Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for serving us.
Thank you for being FAMILY.
We love you guys!

To ALL who came through our doors this summer,
 
We couldn't have asked for a more JAM PACKED, FUN FILLED, & IMPACTFUL summer...
and EACH of y'all played a such an important role in our lives.
Please know how grateful we are for the time you spent investing in our family and our city.

Blessed beyond what we deserve,

Danielle, Craig, Levi & Riley Jo

Sunday, August 25, 2013

...:::* Riley Joanna ~ 5 MONTHS OLD *:::...

. July 27, 2013 .

It's been 5 MONTHS since our precious baby girl, Riley Joanna, joined our lives


Memories & Milestones:
 
MONTH 5 ( June 27- July 27)
 
- first trip to Nepal 
- your brother still loves when your awake and he can say " she lookin at you!" :)
- getting good at playing on your belly all by yourself and being content. 
- tried out your exersaucer for the first time. It was a hit with you and your brother. 
- always so pleasant with everyone and smiling.
- great traveler!!! 
- drool drool drool and chew chew chew. Thinking maybe a tooth is popping through but no sighting yet. 
- you grab a hold of everything. Especially with your feet. It's hilarious
- met Grammy for the first time:) Lots of cuddles, snuggles, hugs, kisses, and forever memories!
-so photogenic :)
- first dance ... and it was with your big brother - in the kitchen - to song "Tonight Tonight" by Hot Chele Rae... Grammy caught it on video~ you two are quite the pair! And you always put a smile on Mama's face!


~ B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L ~

 
 Sweet daughter of ours, Riley Jo~

I had a blast capturing these photos of your adorable self.
I couldn't get over how incredible your eyes sparkled, how genuine that smile of your is, and how unbelievably BEAUTIFUL you are!
Your Papa and I (and your big brother) adore every little detail about YOU.
Makes me grateful for the way our Creator so perfectly designed and formed you.

This month reminds me to pray that your beauty will continue on throughout the years of your life.
That "BEAUTIFUL" would be a common phrase for how people will describe you in the future as you grow and embark down the paths of life....
but NOT because of those precious eyes, that heart capturing smile, or that incredible way you radiate.
No- our prayer is that your BEAUTY would radiate from WITHIN...
That God would be the Lord of your heart and thus HIS BEAUTY would shine forth from inside of you...
And that this BEAUTY would burst forth and touch many lives and that you would pour it out to those you come in contact with.
TRUE BEAUTY.
Such that can only be found IN HIM!





















May you FOREVER be BEAUTIFUL little girl.

~ All Our Love~
Mama & Papa

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Back in Action

 It may seem as though we have disappeared for a short while,
but rest your souls... WE ARE BACK IN ACTION!

We most certainly weren't snoozing....

We've been wide open, super busy and running at full steam (and totally loving it)!

Coming soon on the blog:

- Fun moments with many many "friends" from this summer
- LOTS of sweet memories made and shared with GRAMMY
- Riley's 5 month photo shoot with milestones
- and more....