Sweet Madison moves to Georgia

Our dear friends, Terry & Aimee Brown and their daughter, Madison moved to Georgia. We've had a lot of fun times together & look forward to more!

Rockin' Out

William's first time eating

A Couple Cuties

First Day of Kindergarten & Preschool

 Hudson's teacher, Mrs. Naples

 Excited for school & learning!

 Unfortunately, it seems like we lost the pictures from Anna Kate's classroom. Her teacher is Mrs. Moore. She goes 2 days a week & loves it! We love both of their teachers!

getting organized at home

Vermont

Highlights this year were

 building forts & headbands in the woods

We did the Great Vermont Corn Maze for the first time & loved it!

 They had a petting zoo there too :)

 We went kayaking on a beautiful day 

 from our 2nd annual sisters shopping trip to Stowe, always fun!

 at Shelbourne Farms

 Everyone in the picture (minus Anna Kate & William) ran either the 5k, 10k or half-marathon Kingdom Run. It was Hudson's first race! He did great, keeping a steady pace for a finish around 35 minutes. Trent ran the 5k then went back and finished with him. Stephanie, Carol & William cheered us all on!

Also this summer, Erica found some bike trails that were really fun! And we did several fun hikes, including Trent, Erica & the 4 boys did an overnight hike near Devil's Gulch which the kids loved!

How We Roll Shopping

No Words Needed

love these two & their crazy shenanigans! 

I wish I captured Hudson when it was time to go to their track club this evening. Just before we left, he raced to the bathroom, put water on his hair, tried to spike it up & walked out in all seriousness saying "Mom, this is what handsome looks like." :)

Our Happy Five Month Old

 William is a happy baby!

Pool Days

 Anna Kate's first day of wearing a floatie. She loved her new freedom of swimming all the way across the pool.

 William loved the water! His little legs were kicking in the water & he kept wanting to dip his face in it.

 She was so proud of her back float.

Happy Father's Day!

To the very best Daddy for these three sweet, crazy kiddos :)

Child of the Covenant

On Sunday, June 9th, William Ellis was baptized. We debated if Trent should do the baptism or one of the other pastors at our church.

 We decided that Trent would participate in his baptism as his parent, not pastor. We hope he will have several pastors in his life, but he will only have one set of parents.

 There was also something symbolic in handing him over. Pastor Mike Kendrick, a dear man of God, baptized him. Trent preached a sermon that morning on Isaiah 55.

 We believe baptism is a sign & seal of the work of God in our children's lives. We do not believe that baptism saves them, but rather that we, as their parents are raising them as members of God's covenant people. We want them to know the mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace and unconditional love that is theirs when they put their trust in Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

 We were so thankful that Trent's parents were there to mark the occasion and celebrate with us!

Three Fun, Full of Life Years!

This sweet, fun, silly, full of life girl turned 3 years old! These first couple days after her birthday, she's asked often if she's still three.

She wanted dirt cake with worms just like Hudson had for his birthday.

 A friend gave her her first nightgown. She giggled when she pointed out that I forgot to put any shorts or pants on underneath. She really thought it was funny when we told her that's how you wear a nightgown.

Anna Kate was so excited for the bubble packaging Nana & Papaw got her. :) 

 Nana & Papaw came and really gave her a fun playdoh set. I wish I had pictures of all the things she's made so far.

 She got this adorable dress from our senior pastor's wife & is such a big girl in it.

We love you Anna Kate! What an awesome blessing you are to us!