Summer '09 comes to a close!

I know I've been MIA on the blog this summer. Hopefully I can get back in the swing of things. For now here are a few pictures and updates...

Golf with Pop and Mims

For Christmas Hudson got his very own set of golf clubs from Davin's grandparents. They have quite the knack for golf and decided to take the kids to the driving range for a golf lesson. I even got a lesson, too!

Here is Mims with Naomi. The kids were so sweet hitting the balls about three feet onto the green. I had the best time watching them with Davin's grandparents...sweet memories.
Hudson took his golf lesson very seriously. We drive by this driving range a lot and Hudson has always wanted to go and hit golf balls there. He did a pretty good job, especially for a lefty learning to hit right handed.
Friends
If you know me, you know that I love to have people over and host a dinner. This summer we had the opportunity to spend some great time with good friends. The only one's I don't have photos of are Nick and Meg Smith. They came and spent the night with us one night and brought their new baby boy Eli with them. He was adorable! It was so good to spend time with old friends and meet the newest additions to their families.

The Brown family stopped by on their way to Rome. They came down from North Carolina. We got to meet their newest addition Elizabeth. Daniel is the Music Minister at Stony Hill Baptist Church where Davin and I attended while he was at Seminary. We tried to take a group picture with the timer on the camera... It's not as easy as it sounds when you have 5 little ones running around...nice shirt Hudson.

Here are all the kids from left to right...Ethan, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Hudson, and Naomi. I'm pretty sure the kids didn't eat anything that night. They were too busy playing.
Same couch different night...
Some great friends from overseas are home for a visit. We were able to host them along with some of our local friends as well. Scott, Brooke, Elizabeth, and David. Scott and Davin were roommates before we got married. Elizabeth, Scott and Davin all lived in the same apartment complex in North Carolina. Elizabeth is one of my coffee friends...we've had many girl talks on these couches and always with a cup of coffee. (S-this one is for you)
Another unexpected blessing was to have some friends come and stay with us for a couple of weeks while they were getting settled back here in the Atlanta area. It was a real blessing having them here. Our kids love each other and really enjoyed playing together. Here is Naomi and Kira...dressed up, of course.
And here is Copelan and Hudson...looking cool! I don't have any pictures of Lian, but he was always part of the gang.
Davin and I went up a couple of weeks ago and spent the night with the Gibson's. They are in Elberton Ga. Josh is the pastor of Harvest Community Church and asked Davin to come and fill the pulpit for him as he was finishing up an intensive class that week. We were really blessed and encouraged by them. I have a picture, but can't get it to come up. I'll have to post that one later. Thanks guys for having us up!

Myrtle Beach
This summer we were surprised to be invited to go to the beach with Davin's parents. We had not planned on taking any trips this year and when Victor got a great deal and invited us to come we couldn't say no.
Naomi decided that she wanted to have her hair braided. I can't believe she sat so still and had this done.
I tried to get a good picture of her braids. She is two and of course didn't want me to take a picture. Here are the best ones I have. Her braids were so cute and they stayed in for a long time.
This was on the ride home. Why kids like to put stickers on their face, I'll never know????

The place where we stayed had an amazing water park for kids. Here is the best picture I have. There is a big bucket that dumps water out and two water slides. Hudson had a blast. Naomi really enjoyed the lazy river and the smaller kiddie pools. We all had a good time being big kids and riding down the slides with Hudson.
We also went to an outdoor shopping/eating area that has lots of things for kids. Hudson wanted to climb the "spider's web". It was this really tall tube thing with sections that looked like a spider's web. You had to climb up five different sections to get to the top and then slide down. I was so impressed with Hudson's courage. He normally gets really scared of things like this, but he went up all on his own. He only made it about two levels, but he did a great job. I love this shot of him. He's trying really hard to muster up the courage to climb up.
Ahhh.....
I mean, what else can I say. I got to sit and watch Davin and the kids build a sandcastle on the beach. I'm not one for getting in the water and since there is a no float rule now at MB I was happy camping out on the sand.

Well, now that summer is coming to a close were are preparing for the fall. I have decided to Home school Hudson and Naomi this year for Pre-K. We thought this would be best for a number of reasons. We have purchased some curriculum and I am really excited about our schedule and the things we will be doing. Our start date will be September 1st. I'll try to do a better job and post some more pictures later on of the kids working hard on their school work.

As far as ministry goes...Davin was able to do some supply preaching this summer. We are still praying for the Lord to lead and guide us. He has continued to meet and supply all our needs through this time. We covet your prayers for us as we wait on Him.

And last but not least, we have a new baby niece...Her name is Iva Rae Chandler. My mom confiscated my camera at the hospital so I will post those pictures another time. Iva was named after my grandmother (my mom's mom...Iva B LaMunyon) and my brother Ray.
Good job Ray and Leerick we sure are proud of Iva Rae!