a date with stella :)

It's not too often we have a special night out with just Stella, so this past Saturday, we had a date. She was really excited that "brother" was getting to stay with Mimi and only she could go.

 

On our way to the Matthew's Playhouse to see Pinkalicious, the Musical!! She was a little excited, holding her Pinkalicious doll, Mimi found in Indiana for her. So cute!

 

Photography wasn't allowed during the production, so I didn't get any pictures of the actual play, although it was the cutest thing ever! Afterward they had pink cupcakes for everyone, just the way Pinkalicious liked them. We had a special supper at Outback. Stella ate their mac and cheese for the first time and absolutely loved it. Michael and I were discussing how long it had been since we had been to Outback...well over a year...crazy how little we get out now ;)

I think she liked it!

seriously...

I promise...Stella has made me laugh a lot these last few days. Here are some of the things I've found around the house within the last week.  She is an organizer, if I ever knew one.

 

 This is what she was doing while I was cooking.  First, it started with one row, largest to smallest...of course :)

 then, it grew to two rows...

 then three...and more

 measuring to see which was tallest...

 Another day, I found this during her "quiet time" when I thought she was sleeping, b/c I never heard her...

                                                                     

 outside...

 another day of rearranging and gathering toys...

:)

we love dad

A few shots from Sunday with the best Dad's ever. :)

A day out :)

Last week, Michael and I celebrated his birthday by doing something neither of us had ever done before.  We visited the National Whitewater Rafting Center.  Although rafting is the main thing here, neither of us wanted to re-live the rafting nightmares we had as dating and as youth leaders all through the years, so we stuck with the land sports and had a blast!!!

 getting all harnessed up to walk the obstacle course!

 This was our first obstacle...to climb the robe wall, then zipline down...I'm not going to lie...I was shaking...then after that first ride down, I was ready for more!

 walking the tight rope, while holding on to the shaky side rope, while trying to balance...not easy.  My hands were sore from holding on so tight.

this was a little easier than the others..thankfully! 

 Our favorite part...the HUGE zipline that took us over the rapids.  We did this a couple of times.  So fun!

 this was a smaller zipline...it's kind of hard to see..the pictures are a little dark.

We also went on a bike trail that lasted over 3 miles...that was the scariest part for me...Michael even almost wrecked, too.  We took our time, ate supper at the restaurant and enjoyed time together.  Thanks to Nena and Papa who came to play with the little ones while we had some fun! Happy B-day Love!

Last Show of the Year

Stella got to show off her hard work at her Gymnastics end of the year performance show.  She did really well each week and enjoyed a little time away from Mommy and brother, too.  Here she is showing some of her tricks :)

welcome, summer :)

We finally made it to Carowinds...even if it's not technically "summer"...I've felt like we've been wanting to go ever since Chris, my brother, bought us all passes.  We didn't make it out of Snoopy's park, but next time we'll venture out a little more.  The weather was perfect...mid 70's with a little breeze.  

Here's Stella and Michael on her first ride...the balloons that went higher and faster than I expected, but she loved it! :) 

She loved all the characters even though I don't think she really knew who they were :)

 

Sawyer's take on it all...a few rides was plenty for him!

 

we don't always understand...

This isn't a happy post, but I wanted to ask for your prayers for several families that are going through some tough times. 

One family just lost a baby at 24 weeks, born pre-mature unexpectedly...the funeral was last week. 

One family lost one of their twin boys at 31/2 months old...the funeral is this week.

One Mom is on strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy...she has 10 weeks to go.

We don't always understand why God allows certain things to happen...and thankfully, He doesn't require us to understand.  All He asks of us is that we trust Him that His plan is perfect.  Please pray for these families.

Thanks-