Faith Anna is 7!

Faith Anna turned seven years old at the end of August! And what she wanted most was a heart-shaped locket to put her Daddy's picture in.  (Awwww!  I know....too cute.)

We celebrated at our house with, of course, birthday cinnamon rolls, and presents.  She had a really fun day!

Showing Bubba her new treasure.

Our friend, Jourdan, came by later that day to wish the girls happy birthdays.  We just love Miss Jourdan.

Silly girls...

We also celebrated at my parents house with Bran's family...

and Jessica's family...

and my mom and dad.  Faith Anna and Beth were truly loved on during the month of August!

I love my crazy, goofy, FABULOUS, 7 year old girl!  I can't believe you're growing up so fast, Faith Anna.  We are so thankful that God put you in our family....you bring such color and laughter into our household.  I love your servant's heart...you are truly happiest when you are serving or giving to others.  And I love your boldness and passion for Jesus....you are always singing and dancing about how you love him.  I love your goofiness...you make me belly laugh at least once a day.  And I love to watch your relationships with your brothers and sister...it is obvious that you adore them.  You have grown into such a beautiful young lady, both inside and out, with a heart of gold.  I love spending time with you Faith Anna....you make me a better person.  Happy 7th Birthday!

First Day of School

Don't they look cute? 

I wasn't a big fan of uniforms....until we had them!  Basically all it means is.....LESS LAUNDRY!  (And no battles over what will be worn the next day.  Simple, simple, simple.  That's how we like it.)

They had a great first day.

And Tag was so happy to have some "just mommy" time! 

We are so blessed...

Beth is 5!

Beth turned five years old this August while we were in Bay View! She has gotten to celebrate there the past two years....and now thinks that is a just "the norm". We had so much fun with her...from our traditional birthday cinnamon rolls to splashing at the Charlevoix fountains. It was a great day! And to top it off, Beth lost her first tooth on her birthday. She was so excited!

How can one eat birthday cinnamon rolls with a wiggly tooth?  It must come out....!

Microphones are great gifts for a 5 and almost 7 year old.  Definitely livens up a front porch with entertainment!

Then off to the Charlevoix fountains to splash around.  All the kids had a blast here...

Then off to Damsite Inn for some birthday dinner....
Nanny and Luke

Boo and Chris

The Birthday Girl doing bunny ears on herself...you go girl.  (I love Logan's look in the background. Ha!)

Tag and me

Luke and Fabulous....I mean Faith Anna.

We had a wonderful homemade strawberry shortcake for Beth's birthday cake.  It was yummy!

And a pretty sunset to end the birthday night.

Beth waited until we got home the next day to put her tooth under her pillow.  Wasn't sure if the tooth fairy could find her in Michigan!

I love my goofy, 5 year old, toothless girl.  Beth has brought us so much joy and laughter over the last 5 years.  Can't imagine life without her.  She is very determined to do her own thing....and always brings a smile to everyone's face while she's doing it.  She loves the Lord with all her heart...and it is evident in how she treats others, and in her generous nature.  She is a wonderful big sister to Tag...I love watching the bond they have already formed.  Thank you Lord for giving her to us to love and raise for this short time.  We are so grateful.  Happy Birthday, sweet Beth!

Summertime in Bay View

We were blessed to be able to spend 2 weeks this past August in Bay View with Luke's mom, stepdad, and grandmother.  We all had so much fun....just relaxing.  You know when you go to a place that's familiar....that you've been to enough times that you don't feel like you have to "do it all" in a week?  That's the beauty of this community up north that's captured our hearts.  We can just go and be.  We can sit on the porch in the rocking chairs and just rock.  Stare at the bay, watch people walking their dogs down the street, breathe in the crisp, cool air, and actually visit and spend time with the people you love.  Plus there's all the FUDGE....and Tom's Mom's Cookies....and American Spoon Foods Gelato ice cream....

It was a fun summer.  And we did do a few new things....I took the girls to a fun musical, Nanny and I got cultured and went to a fabulous concert, and Luke and I got even more cultured and went to our first opera, The Marriage of Figaro.  It was fabulous!  Here's a few picture highlights...

I love this pic of Logan and Faith Anna at the end of the dock...

Tag loves cookies.

On the patio at Tom's Mom's Cookies.  Man, we ALL love cookies!

Faith Anna and I having "special time" watching the boats in Charlevoix.

Nanny and I on the way to a concert.  We try to do something "just the two of us" each summer.  I love spending time with Nan.  She is so wise, spunky, and just plain fun to hang out with!

Tag loves Boo's cat, Harley.  Me....not so much. :)

Nanny and Faith Anna washing potatoes...

Putt-putt for the fun of it!

I love this pic of the girls riding home from Club.  Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.... (sing along with me!)

Jordan and Audrey down at the dock.

Playing at the beach.  Sandcastles were fun, until.....

....they decided to try to brave the freezing water and swim to the dock!

They made it!  I was especially proud of Beth, not quite five, keeping up with Logan and Faith Anna...

Can you see them shivering?  Those are serious goose bumps!

Another favorite pastime....decorating the front walkway with chalk!

Tag and I got lots of special time together.  We dropped the big kids off at club each morning and then had 2 hours to ourselves.  It was so much fun!  I never get that kind of time with just him.  So here we are doing his absolute favorite thing..."Throw rocks water!"

We went to the playground everyday.  He loves to swing...

And here he is chasing the seagulls.  I love this picture.  He saw them across the ball field and exclaimed, "Mama, birdies!"...then took off running after them.  I was cracking up. :)

I love you, Tag.  I loved noticing all the little things that I often don't take time for...the sound of your laughter, your sweet dimples, your cute voice, your funny run, the way you throw your arms around me and say "Hold you!"  You are so much fun, Tag.  I'm so glad God put you in our family...

Faith Anna and I went cherry-picking one afternoon....to have special time together. (Are you seeing a trend?)  We had a blast!

And then we pitted ALL of those cherries and made a home-made cherry pie.  Very fun from start to finish.  But the best part was getting to have special time with my girl.  She is very into that right now, in case you haven't noticed.  We all need to feel special, don't we?