Emily Rose Farrell turns 7!!!!!!

On Saturday, Emily turned 7 years old.  It seems like those 7 years have gone by soooo fast.  Emily is such a sweet young lady.  She has a soft heart for people and to serve the Lord.  She loves to color, and now that she can ride without training wheels, she loves to ride her bike.  Another one of her favorite things to do is sing. In fact, she is singing right now "Keeping Walking With the Lord" as I right this post. We had chocolate chip waffles for breakfast, she played out front on her bike, then we had homemade chicken nuggets for dinner and she opened a couple of presents.  There is a family in our church who secretly brings a present for the kids on their birthday and leaves it on the front porch for the kids on the day of their birthday.  The kids love the mystery of getting a gift and not knowing who it is from.  The gift is always something very nice and perfect for each child.

The birthday girl! 

playing with sidewalk chalk out front on her birthday

Enjoying a yummy ice cream on a hot summer day.

Riding bikes!  She is riding her brothers bike because hers is WAY to small for her. (pssss. a little secret, Aumtie Leslie is getting a new one for her birthday, but she won't get it until they come down again in July, so don't tell her)  She is going to be SO EXCITED!!!!

This is the gift that she received from the mystery person. She loves it!

Opening presents after dinner.  We moved the table outside and had dinner, it was a beautiful evening.

Happy Birthday Emily!!!!

Family Fun Day at the Park!

On Friday we picked Mike up from the church and went to the park to have some family time.  There is nothing better than spending time as a family and making great memories together. We had a picnic dinner of fried chicken, chips, lots of fruit and lemonade.  The kids played in the water part for a little while and then we went over to the playground to play, then home for haircuts (by dad) showers, dinner and a movie.  Such a great day!

Nathaniel checking out this water squirting out of the ground.

He thinks that he is just such a big boy now!

This little guy is always up to something.

Elizabeth spending special time with her little brother Nathaniel.

I'm not sure why, but little kids love to sit on the water that comes squirting out of the ground.  Crazy kids!

Silly kids!!!!

All wet!  No towels or change of clothes-time to go play on the playground in the sun and dry off.

They all said it was worth it.

Nathaniel loves the swing.  After getting wet, dad spiked his hair all up and then we couldn't get it to go down.

Joshie having a great time swinging with daddy pushing him and making him laugh.

Oh, what static electricity will do to the hair.

May I introduce to you----Bozo the Clown!!!!

Now his hair really won't stay down.

Our awesome wall climber.  Climbing is his favorite thing to do.

Elizabeth ready to go down the rope, but she was a little bit fearful.

Megan wanted to do the wall climbing, but just was a little too small.

That smile is because "Little Monkey Moo" just finished doing the monkey bars.

Not sure how this picture is supposed to go, because I took it kind of slanted.  What a wonderful day we had.  Thank the Lord for family!

Family Camp 2010

This year family camp was a bit different than usual.  Normally, Thursday is the day that we have the whole afternoon to spend as a family playing games together or just Mike and I sitting around talking and watching the kids play on the playground or in the sand.  Well.......this year it was ME watching them or playing with them.  My poor hubby got a very horrible flu on Thursday morning and was miserably sick ALL DAY LONG.  I felt sooo bad for him.  Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the day spending with the kids, we still had a great time, I just missed my other half being able to spend that time with us.  Family Camp was still really great.  Great food, great fellowship, great weather this year (last year it rained almost the whole time), great family (or mommy with kids) time, and of course great preaching (although right now with a little one I don't always get to stay in for all of the preaching).  We are already looking forward to next year!

Nathaniel enjoying his first year of family camp by playing in the large sand box.

Austin showing dad how he could fly,uh... or maybe its how he can jump out of the swing.

Emily can do the monkey bars now and she is soooo thrilled, she will do them wherever we go,family camp, park, until she has blisters.  Her nickname has always been "Monkey Moo"  kind of funny that she acts like a monkey now.

GRANDPA-the best BBQ chef in the world!

Joshie, his little friend Micaiaz, and his cousin Timothy having a lot of fun at family camp.

Around the campfire after the evening service, one of the highlights of family camp.  We sing songs, have testimonies both nights.  Roasted marshmellows the first night and smores on the second night.  So much fun!

Playing with friends and finding treasures.

Elizabeth-on a mission, there is always something fun to do at family camp.

Nathaniels favorite thing at family camp (besides the sandbox) was meal time.  This boy LOVES to eat!

Bananas are his all-time favorite, unless there is something sweet around.

Family picture time before we leave on Saturday.

Our crazy boys!

Our sweet girls!

The whole family (dad is feeling a little bit better on the last day).  I am so glad that our church has family camp.  The kids love to go and I am just not ready to take the whole family camping for real, like by ourselves in a campground, fixing the meals and all that, one day, but not right now.  This is just a couple of days that we can get away from the cares of this world and spend time focusing on family and on God,  it is just the BEST!  I love my family!

Memorial Day 2010

This Memorial Day we all went over to Grandpa and Grandma Benefield's house for a BBQ and some relaxation.  They had the backyard looking really nice and a couple of new lawn games for the kids.  We had a delicious dinner and then vanilla ice cream with blackberries on top.  Absolutely delicious!

Emily and Nathaniel having a great time on the swings!

Joshua loves the big truck!

All of the kids having a fun time together.

Elizabeth played the new yard games with Aunt April while mommy and Grandma fixed all the trimmings to go with the BBQ. 

Joshie, thinking that he is a BIG BOY!

Megan wanted to see the world from a different view.

Nathaniel loved being outside playing with the big kids now that he can walk.  This little boy is always on the move.

SBA Awards Night

One Tuesday night, June 1st.  our school had graduation and awards night.  We are so proud of our Elizabeth, Austin and Emily for having a very great school year.  They all were on Pastor's honor roll all four quarters, Elizabeth and Emily said the whole book of  I Peter, Emily won the highest grade point average and the most 100's for the lower learning center, Elizabeth came in 3rd.  They all three also received a trophy for over 75 PACES.  They all worked very hard and we are so pleased with this school year.  It also marks the end of the first year of Mike being full-time at the school. Praise the Lord!  We are praying that God works and gives us another good year next year.  Megan will also be going to the ABC class this coming August.  She is soooo Excited!!!!!

Last Day of School

On  the last day of school they always just finish up whatever schoolwork needs to be finished, clean out their desks and then have games and lunch.  This year we did several relay races and pizza and build your own ice cream sundae.  They had a great time!