SBC Chinese Program

This is Annie and Celia, they have been staying with us for the last week and a half. They'll be here until next Wednesday. They are very sweet girls and surprisingly don't seem to mind a house full of noisy boys!

Monteserrat

We visited the Monastery of Monteserrat, Benedictine monks currently live here. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 1844. We did the big hike....pretty hot and a LONG way up but we made it! Besides what would a vacation be without a good hike?!

It is very hard to see but right in the top center you can just barely see the cross - that's where we hiked.

This is the chapel, as with many European chapels/cathedrals, is very ornate and in my opinion grossly over the top inside.

This was a small chapel on the side of the mountain, this was on our way up to the top. It was very peaceful inside.
The inside :)

We're making our way back down....this was our view of the monastery.

Barcelona

Here are a few photos from our time in Barcelona. We were there when they qualified for the world cup final...it was fun to watch the game in the plaza, no photos though I left my camera at the hotel :(

tapas...

Flowers (these were VERY tiny, which explains the cost of 1 euro) at the market on La Rambla

Guy on La Rambla, they had some really good 'dress ups' - not sure what you call the people who dress up and stand there for money??

Church in the gothic quarter

La Segrada Familia. There are 8 towers built and they have 8 more. It was real loud inside with all the stone work being done....lots more to do on this church, who knows how long it will take.

Home Sweet Home

We're back from our trip. We had a great time, it was nice to leave and nice to return home to see the boys. Here are a few photos from our trip....we stayed our first night in the UK with my cousin, such a beautiful old house.

The Old Mill, built long ago (early 1800's?)

I thought the ceiling was cool in the hallway, old beams....I just love it!

The guest room, like a little B&B, so cozy.

My cousin Jon and his wife Nic. This was actually taken a few days before the wedding.

Rain Walk

Rain walks are something the boys love....walking around the block in the rain, with umbrellas or without! We went for a "rain walk" yesterday (minus the rain) - we went out during the brief break in the rain. Braden rode his bike and Truitt had fun splashing around.

The boys went to Oma and Granddads in the afternoon and they'll be with them for 9 days. The house was strangly quiet last night with one kid, I forgot just how easy 1 child can be! Blake will be here with his Nana for a few days and then with The Beards. Wow - 9 days without kids! We are so thankful for this time away, I'm looking forward to leaving but I know that I'll also be looking forward to coming home too!

Pool Time

This week has been overcast and rainy but we got some pool time in last week. Blake loves the splash pad and the boys just love being in the water.

The Wedding

Wow - it's already been two weeks since Hans and Jillian got married! I'm finally getting around to posting a few photos. Sadly I didn't take near as many as I'd hoped, Blake kept me busy during the ceremony....and after it too! The wedding was so nice, such beautiful scenery all around. I'm so happy for the two of them and thankful to welcome Jillian into the family!

I absolutely LOVE this photo. Braden made a special card for Hans and Jillian, here he is giving the card and a hug to his uncle - so sweet.

My boys...the ones that would hold still :)

Yep - that's MY man.

(watching the boys go up and down the stairs....).

I took a few from inside while the photographer was taking a few with them outside. I can't wait to see his photos - they are going to be great!

The party's over....in the limo heading out.

Couture Blessings and Compassion

A friend of mine, Kristal Parrish, has started a business called Couture Blessings. It has taken off - I'm so happy for her. I'm also happy to say that she's decided that for the month of June, 10% of all Couture Blessings' sales will be donated to Compassion International and their Rescue Babies program. As you can see from the photo she makes adorable items! She makes clothing and accessories for all age kids and although the girl stuff is super cute her boy stuff is also! I LOVE the shirts she made for my boys from her new warrior line. The photos are just a small selection, she has so much for you to choose from and can also tailor things according to your needs. Here are a few ways you can check out Couture Blessings:
Via Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Couture-Blessings/#!/pages/Couture-Blessings/336253808310?ref=ts
Via Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoutureBlessings

I love this shirt and the boy wearing it :)

Concessions for Compassion

We are done selling concessions for the spring/summer tball and the grand total is $482.50. All of this money is going straight to Compassion's Rescue Babies program...I am so excited! It seems like just a small drop in the bucket but how else will it happen? I want to give a 'shout out' to my friends who helped run the concession stand and bought team concessions through our stand: The Vuckovics, Chapmans, Stanfields, Careys, Schomburgs, Smiths, Robinsons, Pfieffers, Villaroels, Bassetts, Beards, Copelands, Melissa Payne and Chris Johnson.

Brian and Matthew Carey

The Chapmans

Thanks to everyone - we apprecited your help VERY much and couldn't have done this without you. Our plan is to possibly do this at soccer games in the fall.....so stay tuned :)

Kindergarten Ceremony

Well summer is officially here....and it's LOUD at the Box house :) Last week Braden had his kinder ceremony and Grandma, Mike, Nana (great grandma), Dad, Truitt and I went to see him walk across the stage. My sweet friend Lynette kept Blake so I could sit and enjoy it!

My poor photo of Braden on stage with the principals

Braden (and his posed smile) with Grandma and Nana