A gals Sushi Night

GTC ladies splurged and went out to get some sushi. Although most ladies who came did not get any. But boy did we enjoy all the food any way. I personally love the Hawain roll there, ahhh, so good!!!

I'm so glad Katie got to join us.


I cant wait for the next one!

sweet visit from Aunt Katie

Aunt Katie came to visit us all the way in Iowa. My sister Katie spent her few college dollars on a plane ticket to Iowa to spend 5 days with us. She loves my girls, and my girls absolutely LOVE her. Katie is a beautiful young lady who loves Jesus and who I am so proud of. She has a sweet spirit and has nothing but kind things to say ever. I enjoy so much being around her. I hope that she comes to visit many many more times. We laughed, we cried, we sweat, and slept. We had so much fun!

We played some frisbie golf in the park.
We took a LONG bike ride with the girls. I enjoyed laughing and sweating with her as we found out the gears were not changing on the bike, so we were literally peddling to nowhere.
We passed this awesome field of blue flowers and I am so glad we went back to grab these beautiful pics.

We love you Aunt Katie! Please come back to visit again soon.

Easter 2011

Easter was celebrated so well at GTC!!! All glory was given to Jesus and his resurrection was celebrated. The worship was LOUD and EVERYONE was singing and rejoicing. It was truly a celebration! Dan's parents were able to join us for the week. We were so glad to celebrate with them. We serve the one, true reigning King and He is amazing!

Party like a Rock Star Egg Hunt at GTC

Glad Tidings does a egg hunt every year open to the community with thousands of eggs! This year we had 20,000 stuffed eggs full of candy!! The theme this year was "Party Like A Rock Star." So the kids came dressed up as a rock star. It was super cute. WE had a rock concert, kid style, games, prizes, and was able to tell the kids about Jesus. We had nearly 500 people there that day, WOW!!! The inlaws were able to make it over for Easter. It was so sun having them hunt for Easter eggs with Halle and Bekah.

It was of course freezing!
She so stinkin cute and he's so handsome!
Uncle Mike was helping Halle get the most eggs that she could.



Halle the rock star!

Longest Winter EVER!

This past winter seemed to be so super long!! We are still having way cool days in June. The girls and I are screaming to get out of the house. We found a few indoor parks in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City this year that we enjoyed often.

Winter Wonderland

Winter this year has not been as harsh as last year. But the numbers show different. This year we have a total of 50+ inches of snow. WOW! There has not been much picture taking this winter because we have been stuck inside. But we have ventured out to do a little sledding. Although it is short lived it sure is fun. Here are some shots we have of us sledding with our dear friends the Lathrops. Halle loves sledding. She is not scared at all. She laughs the whole time. And immediately says she wants to do it again. She has always been our little adventure seeker.

Christmas in Paradise

We had the gift of going on a cruise for Christmas. And it was nothing short of AMAZING! We were so greatful for the opportunity. Dan's parents gave us the cruise for our Christmas present and also to celebrate Dan's brother, Mike's graduating from South Eastern University. The girls and I flew in to Miami to meet Doug and Karen while Dan had to stay back and take care of the Christmas program. We boarded the ship the next day. Dan flew into Mexico and met us on that Tuesday. We were at sea on the Liberty of the Seas for 7 days. Are visiting ports were Costa Maya, Belize City, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We ate and ate and then ate some more. They endless buffets full of amazing food for breakfast and lunch. Between meals we would visit the endless snack bar or bottomless ice cream cone machine. Then we went to our room where there was cheese trays waiting on us or fruit plates. Then an hour before dinner we went and enjoyed appetizers in the concierge room. On to dinner where we enjoyed a four course meal. We were stuffed all the time. I think Halle had 3 to 4 ice cream cones daily. If we were not working out or on shore you would definitely find us at the pool soaking up the sun!!!! Dan, the girls, and I had our own room across from Doug and Karen and Mike's room. Their room was so comfortable. They had a balcony over looking the massive Caribbean ocean. We felt and knew we were tremendously blessed. Dan, Mike and I were able to go on shore in Belize City and go tubing on the river through caves in the rainforest. Yes, that was sooo cool! The hike through the rainforest was picturesque. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. We learned so much about Belize City on the ride to the caves. Belize is a third world country. We were riding through all poverished areas where houses had no windows or doors or even roofs. But everyone we passed had smile on their faces. Yet again on this trip I felt and know that I am extremely blessed. My heart went out to these people especially as I listened to a young man's story I got to hear over lunch. He told me how you have to pay for public school there and he was saleing stuff to tourists so that he could send his siblings to school. I bought a beautiful handmade bracelet from him and his mother. It is made from cocoa beans that they grow on their farm.

The rest of the week was just wonderful. We spent a few days in Miami before going home right on South Beach. Thank you Doug and Karen for yet again another amazing vacation. That one will never be forgotten not just because of the wonderful cruise but because of the company we got to spend it with. We love all of you!! Thank you!

Here is the link to see all the photos from the vacation:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1615952275&aid=86292