Small Group Growth

Yesterday we got together with some families that were in our small group during our early years at Grace Fellowship.  Back in the years of 2000-2004 the greatest number of kids we ever had in a group were 3.  Yesterday with 7 families together, we had 20 kids (and one on the way).  Boy times have changed!
Still an amazing group of people to hang out with...just a little crazier now.

2010 Mazda 5

Here are some pictures of our new ride:

We asked Noelle to pose with the car

And then we asked Sadie to pose with the car

 

Introducing "The 5"

We made a large purchase today...a car.  Affectionately deemed "The 5" by us, it's otherwise known as a Mazda 5.
It's sort of like a mini-minivan.  It has sliding doors and a 3rd row of seats but it's smaller then our Highlander.  It's a downsize for us and an "upsize" on fuel economy.

More picture will come.  It's hard to tell what it looks like in this picture.

Daddy-Daughter Date

Noelle didn't have school on Tuesday so Brad planned a special Daddy-Daughter time with his little girls.  They set up the tent and camped downstairs.  The evening involved all the good parts of camping without the negative less-appealing parts of camping.

• The window was opened, but Brad closed it when he got too cold.
• The s'mores tasted great, but they didn't fall in the fire since they were made in the oven.
• A chorus of crickets lulled them to sleep, but it was a app on the iphone, so you could shut them up if they got annoying.
• There were no bugs in the bathroom and there were comfortable beds upstairs in case anyone changed their mind...no one did.

Sadie opted for sleeping alone in our play tent - with tunnels

Staff Retreat

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent in Gatlinburg, TN with the staff and elders of Grace Fellowship...and their wives...and no kids!
The time away was simply amazing.  The weather was amazing, the company was amazing, the accommodations were amazing.  And to make this amazing time without kids possible, we had some amazing grandparents staying with Noelle and Sadie.  Here are some highlights.

 Celebrating Pappy's birthday before we head to Gatlinburg.

A squeeze from Grammy

 The staff had 3 cabins, 2 large ones like the one in this picture and one smaller one

Brad and I were in the smaller cabin with 2 other couples

Our cabin mates flashing the gang symbol for those who stay at 'The Eagle' cabin (and conveniently wear matching shirts)

 Dinner at the AppleBarn restaurant.  The girls

 The guys (pastor Brad was hoping everyone would show off their muscles)

Our seat at dinner was a porch swing!  Very fun.  

Those are apple fritters and Applewood juleps - the complimentary appetizers for all their guests.

No trip to Gatlinburg is complete until you venture into The Great Smokey Mountains for a hike.

 There were 2 hikes offered - one was 2.6 miles and one was 5.4 miles.  This is the brave group that did the long one.  (lets just say I was glad our cabins came with hot tubs)

Rainbow Falls; the climax of the hike.  If you look closely to the left you can see tiny people to give you perspective of how tall the falls is.