canvas photos

winkflash.com rocks! or i should say, amber walters (http://aleighphotography.blogspot.com) rocks! we had family photos taken in january by her and winkflash ran a 40% off sale so we purchased some canvases for our stairway. love them!! for the big 20x30, it was only $54! can't wait for our Vikram's photo shoot to join Elli's! I know, I know, we are still deciding on a name for our little guy...I think we have one, but want to make sure:)

San Fran

Elli and I tagged along Paul as he had to go to a conference in San Francisco. We had a great time, though it was surprisingly cold. Some highlights include a children's museum, ferry ride to Sausilito, China town, meeting our friend, Donna Creesman and eating amazing....i mean amazing food!!! I am talking thai crepes, gyros, tikka masala, honey walnut chicken from china town and the best farmers market across the street every other day with awesome fruit. We have to give Elli's guardian angel some due credit--as we were getting off a public transit cable car, we didn't realize we got dropped off in a bus lane and a bus came flying by, inches from Elli. The rest of the trip we praised God that we were safe!

Farewell...sniff sniff sniff

Saturday was the farewell party to the Parkers...so sad to see them go. They are leaders of our couples Bible Study and Karen was leader of our women's study. They are an amazing family who absolutely so much fun and we are sad to say good-bye. Watch out Cheyenne, WY!

In Memory of my Uncle Tom

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/96739179.html

My uncle Tom passed away on Friday. He was a wonderful family man and he will be greatly missed. He was also a Kansas TV icon, known as Major Astro and "Rodney". KAKE TV had a nice video about him last night (link above).

Happy Father's Day!

Today is such a day to celebrate...I have the most amazing dad and husband/father to our child (soon to be children).

Dad, you raised me with so much love and showed me how to live with integrity and how to have fun in life! You taught me how to run after God and to pray hard:) You are such a great teacher, and now I love how you are teaching your grandkids the same things.

Paul, how in the world did I get so blessed to be your wife! You have been so patient and supportive as you awaited fatherhood, always trusting God in His ways. Now, I see you as dad who Elli adores! You have so much fun with her and love on her and always are thinking of ways to lead our family closer to God. I love our family!! You already would do anything for Vikram, though you have never met him, and I know your love for him grows deeper each day. What an amazing father you are!

Father's Day Eve...at the Orchard

We got to celebrate Father's Day weekend with the Feldt's picking yummy...I mean YUMMY strawberries and peaches. It was such a blast and no one got out of that outing clean!

White Bear Lake with the Houges

We just had a great time in Minnesota with family!! Paul's bro's bro-in-law generously let us stay at his lake home which works out wonderfully with our large family...plus it's beautiful, being right on the lake. It rained a lot of the time, but we were able to sneak in some waterskiing, jogging to parks and to the marina and Paul and I got to play a fierce game of tennis. We really enjoyed visiting on the front porch and Paul's mom was our chef for the week! Elli just loved her cousins, especially Gabe, whose 9 months older. She learned many words from him and they loved to dance and play together. What was a topper to the week, was how the family had already embraced our little guy. The cousins would ask about him which meant a lot to us. Paul's mom had already checked out India books. It is always so fun to catch up with family and "play" together! The rain brought an amazing rainbow at the end of the week and two bald eagles swooping around our cabin!

A Beach Blast with the Rios'

The Rios' flew from Colorado to visit us last weekend and what a blast we had!! We went to Port Aransas and enjoyed the beach and just spending time together. We took the ferry to get there (great suggestion, Leann) and loved searching for shells, while the boys went for a run and body surfed. After our getaway we toured the Riverwalk and downtown San Antonio. We even did a little bootscootin' at the country store:) Elli LOVED Ramona and also loved the attention she received from them. Great times with sweet friends! I don't think I captured great shots of all of us, though:(

Mornings at the Houges'

It's such a sweet sight in the morning when Elli and Daddy make coffee.

Our Little Son

We received new pics of our guy from a family that just picked up their little girl. We have more pics, but will post some more probably with his name! Vikram is his Indian name. Don't ya love the pink polka-dots? I just want to go get him and squeeze his rolls!