Green Thumbs

We couldn't be happier with the new home, however the backyard is a barren wasteland. At best it is a blank canvas. So, as HGTV might say, we've started the "reno of the outdoor living space". Phase one: Raised garden beds and a beginning compost pile! I wanted this project at the top of the list in hopes of having some sort of fall garden. Philip has the green thumb in our family and so far has planted bell peppers, tomatoes, and lots of basil. For those who don't know, our weird little girls eat basil by the handfuls so we had to keep them well supplied : ) Maybe this week we'll get some mixed greens and spinach going!

Summer Zoo Days

August has been eventful for us. We've almost unpacked all our boxes and the kitchen is being re-done as I write. Kylie has conquered day-time potty training and Avery is cutting her eye-teeth. Plus, we have had our first emergency room visit. Kylie tried to catch a lamp as it was falling off an end table. The tips of her middle and ring fingers were nearly severed. It took nine stitches to re-attach them. Philip has since removed the stitches and it looks like she is going to heal just fine. Thanks be to God.





We've also become season pass holders at the local zoo! Honestly, I never thought that would be a source of enjoyment for me but Kylie and Avery love it so much that Philip and I can't help but have a great time! Here's a sampling of our latest trip.

Texas Bound

Moving to Texas is a bittersweet transition because this chapter really has been such a special time for us. When we first came back from Israel Kylie was only 3 months old. We settled into the Dorr family cabin for a year before we bought this little old house on Boone St. With a lot of elbow grease we fixed it up just in time for Avery to be born in the kitchen! Since then we have enjoyed countless family dinners and play dates with cousins, long summer evenings and a whole lot of love. There is a lot to look forward to, but there is also a lot to smile back upon. Our last three years in Kentucky have truly been a blessing. We are grateful.

We've spent this final week in Kentucky enjoying family, friends, and the uniqueness of Berea. Amidst all the packing the girls have been pretty restless. We've made forts out of packing boxes, gone for long walks, and visited most of the local eateries. To top it off, in her finest moment of mischief Kylie got a hold of some scissors and cut off all of Avery's beautiful baby curls. Yes, it's been a memorable week!


Our little house


The tremendous tree we called our own for a while


Harvesting our garden before we pass it on to a new family


Kylie and Luke. We always enjoy the Johnsons!


Helping us pack : )


Visiting Berea Coffee & Tea one last time


Papleno's Pizza


Hanging out with the babysitter


Avery's new do

Father's Day & Big Fish

For Father's Day weekend we ventured down to Atlanta for a long overdue visit with the "Hotlanta Dorrs" - James, Tracie, David and Caroline! Saturday we hit the world-class Georgia Aquarium and had a really wonderful time. Kylie's favorite part was the dolphin show (no pictures allowed), but other highlights of the day were:

Avery

Jellyfish


Naps with Dad

Pushing Avery


Amazon Bass (upper right corner)


Sliding out of a whale's belly

Caroline


Penguins


Watching the massive fish feed


A big thank you to James & Tracie for a great weekend filled with fun & family. We love you guys!!!

Mud Pies

It may be a little hillbilly, but there is no fun like the fun had playing in mud puddles! Kylie was too busy to look at the camera so Avery stole the show.





And the only way to end the party....

Flower Girl

This past weekend we attended my sister's wedding in Austin, Texas. I was the matron of honor and Kylie and Avery were the flower girls, although Avery ended up sleeping through the ceremony : ) Kylie, however, did very well and was quite dramatic in form as she pranced down the aisle! Before heading out she turned to Philip and said, "Don't come with me, dad!" - - we may be unwanted parents, but at least she doesn't have any self confidence issues!

Here are a few shots from the rehearsal...

The whole lot of us, sans Nick.


Practicing the walk


Listening intently to her flower girl instructions


Posing with the bride-to-be : )


It was a beautiful wedding and we were all so proud to be a part of the beginning of Kathleen and Nick's life together. Below is the toast I read at their reception.

Growing up, Kathleen was my sidekick in all seasons. When I was mischievous she was my partner in crime. When I was feeling pesky she was the unfortunate recipient of my taunting. We spent years playing and fighting and often just co-existing, until one day we suddenly found ourselves as friends. And although, as the younger sister, Kathleen has often followed my lead, she has never been lost in my shadow. Kathleen has always marched to her own drumbeat and shone as a stunning individual.

Now you are embarking on a journey that requires you to synchronize that unique drumbeat with the rhythm of Nick’s life, and vice versa, Nick! This synching is a process, sometimes an awkward one that inevitably ushers in a great deal of change. It means taking turns in life and exercising a steady patience when the need for endurance arises. You are suddenly living life as a team and no longer an individual. It also means always having your best friend at arm’s length. It means knowing and being known, sometimes more accurately than you know yourself. It means making yourself vulnerable to the other when every instinct is telling you to retreat.

Above all, merging lives does not mean losing your own. If you allow it, marriage will be the tool in God’s hand that delicately purges you of selfishness and seclusion. If you allow it, this journey will challenge you, bless you, reveal the meaning of life to you, and ultimately transform each of you into better individuals.

Cheers to Kathleen & Nick!

Birthday Wishes

We celebrated Kylie's third birthday at Chick-fil-A with some of her special friends. Of course we can't believe she's already been with us three years! It was a really wonderful day!


"Let's get this party started!"


Avery loves her some "chicee filee"!


I made ice cream cone cupcakes - Kylie chose the pink icing and purple sprinkles.

Daddy & the birthday girl


Holding court at the slide!