Happy 4th of July!

Dylan spent the first week of July at Camp Calvary in PA. Ashley and I spent Monday cleaning, and doing laundry. Tues. afternoon was gorgeous, so we packed up and headed for a few days at the marina. Ashley and I biked 14 mi. on the trail after we unpacked. Then Debi and Josh followed us back to the marina after church on Wed. night. We biked some more...over 50 miles in all over 4 days!

BTW: I LOVE THAT TRAIL! There is ALWAYS something cool to see! The puppies have a trailer now, too, so they get to go. I'll have to take a picture of them next time. They run along side the bikes for a while, then get to rest in the trailer and enjoy their spoiled lives being carted the rest of the way!

A duck had laid her eggs at our marina in a slipholders flower pot!!! They hatched this week, so we were able to watch and feed the little guys! Don't let their size fool ya...they are FAST! Very CUTE!

Back to the bike trail... this time we saw this whole tribe of ducks swimming together, different! We also saw a passing turtle, baby deer (a foot away!), and a snake warming himself across the trail.

On Thursday night, Kent Narrows had their Independence Day Celebration! We took a small cruise around, enjoyed the sunset, drank strawberry smoothies, and watched fireworks!

It was awesome seeing the fireworks from the water. My Mom and Dad, Shawns Mom, and Debi and Josh joined us. Great time together!

Sorry, the fireworks pic's turned out bad... it was hard to keep the camera steady in a boat moving with the waves!

ST. MICHAELS DATE NIGHT

Shawn and I stole a date night, and went for a 1 night cruise to St. Michaels. It was VERY NICE not having kids! It was VERY NICE not having puppies!
We had a few thunderstorms shortly after we arrived, so we ate an early dinner, while we waited for them to pass. Then we went for a walk around town, bought some t-shirts, and went back to Still Waters to play some games.

There was a farmers market on Sat. morning at a park right next to us, so we picked up some homemade pastries and tomatoes (very missed!)

We had a great time alone! But sick enough, we can't wait to do some more bay exploring with the kids!

VBS 2008

This years Vacation Bible School theme:
"Dino Andy"

"Dino Jo"

Ashley helping out with the 2-3 yr. old children.

Shawn & I helped out with games one night. This is the 5th-6th grade group.

1st and 2nd grade group playing games.

Micah and Jeremy at Tuesday nights closing program.

Please pray as the week comes to a close. There are many visitors and many children who need to know Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior.

1st Weekend of SUMMER!

On Thursday, the kids and I headed to Kent Island, and enjoyed the first weekend of summer. We met up with Melanie and the boys on Thursday, and rode the bike trail from the Bay Bridge lookout (pictured below) across the island to the Chester River.
In all, we rode over 30 miles in 3 days! Its my favorite bike trail, with trees, fields, bridges, water, animals, turns, off-road, and lookouts. Pictured below are the kids overlooking the "Narrows."

We stopped into the Chesapeake Exploration Center and looked at some of the Chesapeake's/Eastern Shores history.

One day on the bike trail we saw two baby birds that had jumped nest, learning to fly. Mom did not appreciate the interruption, so we didn't stay long enough to take a picture.

Another day, we saw two baby deer with their mother. They were the youngest I have ever seen, just barely knee high!

After lunch we headed for the pool for a swim. The boys were in "noodle heaven!" (Above: Everette's Raft / Below: Jared & Dylan's Noodle Brains)

Toby and Shelby HATE it whenever the kids leave them.

Toby has learned to open the door to the back of the boat.

Sometimes he'll walk out to the swim platform, sometimes he's contented just knowing he can open it. (It's when we lock it that he really gets confused!!!)

Friday, the Tidquists came for a visit. We anchored off Love Point for lunch.

Dylan, the puppies and I went for a swim. Dylan, finally, got to do some bow jumping! FUN!

After lunch we headed back and went for a swim in the pool.

It was Gretchen's birthday, so after the swim we went back for some strawberry smoothies and chocolate cup cakes! Happy Birthday Gretchen!

GIRL TIME!

At long last, some friends and I were able to sneak away and get in some girl time.
Carrie Anne and Tamara are some the first friends Shawn & I made when we started going to Anchor Baptist Church.

We had some very strong thunderstorms and rain... didn't stop us! We kept chatting right through it!

It actually took me over an hour to put together this strawberry/chicken salad. I had a hard time focusing with all the talking we were doing! Actually had to heat the chicken twice! Pitiful! Sorry ladies!

What girl time is complete without chocolate!?!?!? No, we did not eat them all! But there was some other desserts & appetizer...I had a strawberry theme going.

After the storms passed we enjoyed the sunset with a walk...and more talk!

I think sometime around 12:30am we decided to call it a day and head back home. As always, what a great time together! What a blessing good friends are! Love ya both!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Wishing all the Dad's a blessed Fathers Day!
Shawn, Dylan and Ashley (with our adopted child, Jesse)

Our Dad's / Pop Pop and Grandpop. We love you dearly!

Spring in OCEAN CITY!

The kids and I went to Ocean City the first week in June for a few days. Dad got a great deal on the Boardwalk at the Stowaway Grand.

Audrey and Jack came down for a night, and Shawn came for two.

The weather was great... a little cold for the water, but that didn't stop Dylan!

Mom and Dad enjoying the beach.

Boogie boarding by day... playing all night!

My silly girl... ever wonder who she takes after?!?!?!

Dad (the shortie) and Dylan having some laughs on the beach.

Our daytime view of the boardwalk and beach.

Night-time view. Regretting being lazy and not going out to the car for the tri-pod!

Zooming in on some folks I recognize!

We had a great time playing putt-putt! Dylan came in 2nd place out of the 7 of us! Way to go!

Ashley eying up the hole!

I did terrible... could be because of taking all these pictures!!!!!