So Long, Longs

We have had some very good friends that are heading out to the Colorado/Wyoming area for a job for about a year. We've known Bud and Diane for almost 8 years now and they have been great friends through the years. So, obviously, it was a little tough to say good-bye. However, we are hoping to welcome them back to the south in about a year.

We couldn't let them leave without a farewell party. We welcomed as many people as wanted to come and filled our house. By the end of the night, we counted up that we had almost 70 people mulling around our house. What a gathering. Everyone was generous enough to bring a side dish, drinks and desserts and we were not lacking any food. It was all so delicious! The night was filled with wishing Bud, Diane and their children Aaron and Jordan well-wishing as they head out west. Everyone had a great night of fellowshipping and simply being together.

relaxing in the back yard - Tad, Scott, Laurie, Diane, Rhonda, Angela and Brett

the boys in the kitchen - Charlie, Bud, Marc, Bryan and John

more people enjoying the AC inside

Bud managed to fit in a little surprise about half-way into the evening - a birthday cake for Diane, who had just celebrated her birthday. We all went in together and gave Diane a money tree so she can buy something fun for her new house.

Happy Birthday, Diane!!!

On a hot July evening, the popsicles were a huge hit with the kids.

We will miss them dearly. However, we are very thankful for all the technology that will allow us to keep up with them. Have a great year, Long family (and we'll see you shortly)!!!

Mission Auction Lake Day

Our second mission auction event was a day at the lake house of one of our members. We've been up to this lake house a number of times and we love the opportunity to get away, enjoy jumping in the lake and relaxing with our friends. We were one of the first ones to arrive and one of the last ones to leave, so we made the most of our day (it does help that we're good friends with the owner and her daughter). The weather was great! Not too hot while you were out of the water and so relaxing in the lake.

The day began with Chris and Craig fighting against some ornery yellow jackets. We were very thankful that no one got stung during the day.

The kids were the first into the lake. Most of the adults simply sat on the dock and chatted.

We even had a visiting duck that wanted to join in the fun.

Most of the kids had a blast fishing. Even the big boys got into the fun as they sought to catch a huge fish that seemed to be teasing them, laying just out of their reach.

After a little bit, Craig decided that he didn't want to fish off the dock.

Lunch was delicious! We filled the porch and spilled into the main room - plenty of people!

After lunch, some of our wonderful boat captain took us out on the lake. All the kids that wanted to were able to enjoy a little ride on the tube. Kalyn and Xander were very excited about it while Trinity cheered from the boat. What fun!

Sweet Abigail was nice enough to ride with Kalyn. She was a wonderful "big sister" to Kalyn and took great care of her.

Xander and I rode together. He really did have fun!

It was a great day at the lake. Thank you so much to the Buchanans for openning up their lake house for our enjoyment!!

Rumplestiltskin Puppet Show

Each summer, the Roswell Cultural Arts Center brings in puppeteers from all over to perform puppet shows. We really enjoy seeing various forms of puppets and all the shows. Due to our crazy summer schedule, we were only able to attend on of the shows, but it was lots of fun. This week's show was Rumplestilskin, performed by The Roz Puppets in Indiana. The bonus was that it wasn't the typical story - the puppeteer said that he always like to throw in a little twist, just for the adults.

anxiously awaiting the show to begin - I love those smiles

after the show, the puppeteer brought the animals out to show the kids how he made them move and talk

as the kids were leaving, the puppeteer brought out one of the characters for the kids to give him a high-four

Ugandian Orphans Choir

I love when I find opporunities to expose my kids to new and unique experiences. Earlier in the week, I came across a flyer announcing the performance of the Ugandan Orphans Choir at a nearby church. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it would be good. I was not wrong.



It was precious to hear their beautiful voices and watch their energetic dancing. It was also humbling to hear their stories of before they were with the group and the Childcare Worldwide ministry. The kids loved watching kids their ages up on the stage. What a wonderful evening!

The Family at Stone Mountain

Back in December, we purchased season passes for the family to Stone Mountain. Craig and I have taken advantage of our passes a number of times, but we just haven't had (or made) time for all five of us to go. We finally made a plan to take everyone. Rain was forecasted, but that didn't stop us. We packed up our goodies and headed over.

We began at the Sky Hike. The great thing is that there is a section of the area that is not up high and open to kids of all size. Since only Trinity was tall enough for the "sky high" section, we decided stay on the low section. Good decision. The kids had so much fun! Craig and I even got to enjoy the rope swing at the end.

We planned to hit a show, but had a little time to kill. So, we headed over to the Dinosaur Train Craft Shack. The kids enjoyed digging for dinosaur fossils (AKA puzzle pieces) in the sand.

Apparently the rain threat was keeping the crowd away. We were the only family there for the first 5 minutes until one other little girl and her dad showed up. That meant that our kids each got to play a part in the little performance. Kalyn got some personalized attention before the show began. She announced that she had just lost her tooth and so the leader of the show taught her the "Tooth Dance". Kalyn was very shy about coming up on stage to perform it. Or not at all.

Within ten minutes into the play, the rain began and we had to find shelter. We grabbed our wagon of blankets and cooler from the laser show field and headed for a dry spot. We had a great view of the many waterfalls down Stone Mountain. It was an amazing sight and I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to see it.

Following the rain, the power went out. Unfortunately, that closed down most of stores and events. We headed back to the Dinosaur Train Craft Shack because that was the only spot that we open. The kids had fun coloring the big wall and making their own dinosaur puppets. The employees were great helping the kids stay busy and entertained.

When the food area opened back up, we grabbed our food and headed back out to the field. Everyone enjoyed a yummy dinner and got ready for the laser show. This would be the first time the kids had seen the show. They really enjoyed all the fireworks, the music and the lasered pictures. It was a great way to end our afternoon and evening out!

We are already looking forward to our next trip (maybe without the rain).

Kalyn's Tooth

Over the past month or so, we have watched Kalyn's first loose tooth grow looser and looser. Thankfully, it managed to stay attached during her week with the grandparents. It didn't last much longer, though. Monday morning, Kalyn woke up and ran out of her room begging us to feel how loose her tooth was. We decided it was time to try and pull the tooth out.

Attempt #1: Unfortunately, the tooth was so tiny, that Craig couldn't get a hold of it with his fingers and the floss kept falling off. So, after a while, we decided to try again another time.

Attempt #2: Monday night. Still no luck.

Attempt #3: Tuesday morning. Craig tried to pull it out with his fingers. No success. Then he simply pushed her tooth over and it literally fell out into his hand. Kalyn was ecstatic. She finally lost her first tooth!!

Success!!!

The next night, we put her tooth in her newly made tooth pillow. Thanks so much to my friend Jennifer who did the embroidering for us! One more milestone for the blog!