Look what I got for my birthday...

An apartment all packed up and ready to go to Texas!!!

As much as I am excited about our upcoming move I am sad about all of the goodbyes we have to say. I would much rather just say "see ya later" instead because it is my hope that we will see and stay in touch with a lot of our friends from this season of our life. I am most sad for Kennan because this is all he has known. He was 5 months old when we moved here, so this is his home and these are all his friends. I just hope he has memories from being here...we all know that I took enough pictures over the last 3 years so maybe they will jog his memory when we talk about our time here! We have been blessed by great friends which made the last 3 years bearable since we have been so far from family. We have already said a few goodbyes since friends left for vacation and won't be back before we leave. (I'm on the laptop so don't be offended if we've said goodbye to you and there isn't a picture...most of my pictures are on the desktop and it's in a box!!!!)

Kennan had his last day of school today. Here he is with Jon Gabriel and Torrey
We had to say goodbye to Matt and Cari
Kennan with Edith, Hannah, and Hans

Yesterday we took Kennan and Hannah to the Picture People to have their pictures taken. I am going to frame the ones we ordered and put them in his bedroom at our new house. Kennan and Hannah have been best buds since September 2, 2005. We have had many a play dates in our pajamas and slippers and lots of family dinners together. God really knew what he was doing when he made our families neighbors. We entered this season of our life at exactly the same time with the same age kiddos, same backgrounds (teachers and youth directors), and same goals for the future. Okay, now I am getting teary eyed...all that to say we are going to miss this sweet girl, her adorable baby sister, and wonderful mom and dad.

This one is for Uncle Kyle...

Well, the packers are coming tomorrow and I'm feeling a bit stressed...so I needed something to lighten the mood. Enjoy!

SUCCESS!

Today was my first yard sale experience....as a seller that is. Actually, I don't know if I have ever been a shopper at one either... Oh well, the point of the story is that it was a success!! We set up shop at 7am and were back home around 3pm. We made over $500 which should pay for our trip to Texas (hotels, food, gas). We are thrilled at how well we did and may do it again sometime...like in 10 years!!

Countdown to Texas!

We leave in 6 days !! Here is what the next week looks like for us...

Saturday-Yard Sale
Sunday-Recover from Yard Sale and pack personal things for our trip to Texas
Monday-Relax (maybe??) and celebrate my birthday
Tuesday-Packers come to pack up all our belongings (also my birthday)
Wednesday-Movers come!
Thursday-Start the drive to Texas (by way of Chicago)

Brayden says, "WOW!!!!"

Rewind

I have a lot of catching up to do of past events, so here it goes!!

We went to the Philadelphia Zoo again, this time with Hannah and Katie and their families.

The picture below is Kennan with the naked mole rats. He claims that the giraffes are his favorite but he LOVES to say naked mole rats over and over and seems fascinated by them!!!

We took Kennan to the dentist a few weeks ago for a little 3 year old check up. HE LOVED IT!! He had the best time helping the dentist with her tools and couldn't stop smiling!


Here are a few more graduation pictures...

Kenny with Tim Kenny with Kenny S, Bryant, Jeremiah, and Matt
Kenny and Jonathan

We went bowling in Philadelphia on Sunday before taking Uncle Chris and Kelsi (Chris' girlfriend) to the airport. It was Kennan's first time and he loved it! Brayden had a great time too!
Our friend, Megin, from ACU met up with us!

Kenny's friend David from elementary school also met up with us!
Thanks again Kelsi for watching the kiddos!! Oh, and many people called Kelsi my sister this weekend! I can see it...can you??
Well, I think that catches us up on all the events of the last few weeks. We are counting down the days until we leave for Texas! Only 9 more full days left in New Jersey!! Yippee!!!

Gradubirthday

We fondly referred to yesterday as Kenny's Gradubirthday. He is offically a Master of Divinity and 28 years old! Yesterday was a whirwind of excitement that brings us once step closer to our move to Texas! Here are some pictures of the day (and a few flashbacks)...

Kenny opening the birthday card from Kennan with a hippo on the front
On the steps of a building on campus yesterday...in front of that same building September of 2005. Things have changed!!!
Kenny walking into the chapel for graduation...this was the only picture I could get during the ceremony because flash photography wasn't allowed
Kenny with Matt, Dan, and Bryant
With Kevin and Alisa yesterday...and in September of 2005. We are going to miss these friends!
Kenny's parents, brother and brother's girfriend came in for gradubirthday. Kelsi stayed with the kids so we could go to graduation (thanks Kelsi!!!)
I am so proud of this man!
Kenny liked that his robe looked like it had bat wings!

Well, that's all for now. I have many more pictures to post later...stay tuned!

Mother's Day Fun

For Mother's Day this year we took a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo. It is the oldest zoo in America and it was really nice! (I am still partial to the Fort Worth Zoo...but oh well). Anyway, we went last Wednesday because it was a beautiful day and we wanted to do something fun. We actually bought a membership because we are going tomorrow and maybe Sunday, so after 2 trips the membership payed for itself! Lots of pictures...

Kennan was obsessed with the naked mole rats!!!!

On a mission...



At the children's area

Brayden loved to watch the river otters!
Kennan says his favorite animal is the giraffe...
What a fun day!!
2 tired kiddos...
On Mother's Day I woke up to breakfast in bed. I was presented with a menu for the day the night before...so it was all my choices! After church we opened gifts and cards.

Kennan made me this bracelet at school. Notice his hand on my shoulder?? Too cute!
Brayden drew me a beautiful picture. Notice the holes in the paper? She left her mark!!


And after nap time, Kennan and Kenny went out to protect our building before a BBQ. They were knights...