Toothless wonder rides bike!

I thought that if I was posting this to a world renowned news headline for the AP, it would be fun to title it as such….

“Toothless Wonder Rides Bike!”

The national hero is known country-wide for his non-toothy grin and his proficiency upon a bicycle assisted with training wheels.  But no longer.  In a move recently made by his publicist, Manic Mama, decided it was time for “the Wonder” to set aside his balance aids and go for the big boy wheels alone.

“The Wonder” has been seen near the cow pasture attempting his new transport for short periods.  In true super hero fashion, he was reported stating, “Hanging up my cape and rocket fuel powered boosters was difficult ~ but I am prepared to become a cleaner, greener superhero and take to the roads…no matter the difficulties I may face.”

On Tuesday, Wonder met the reality of his decision and conquered the loop.  He successfully navigated a flat basketball playground, riddled with puddles, a water splashing nemesis Anna Banana, and a few tetherball poles.  Local fans heard of his feat and rushed to the site, where a bystander caught this video.

teeth and lemonade

Warning:  This is an odd conglomeration of pictures…and stories.

What’s better than draining an ice cold glass of lemonade on a warm summer day?  Selling fresh-squeezed lemonade on the sidewalk with a buddy and planning how to use your plunder.  With the help of a few friends who travelled from nearby, Hudson’s lemonade stand was a success.  Our neighbors and friends made sure that his first business venture was successsful ~ Hudson had us put out a “text” to let people know that he was open for business…and a few showed up to feast on his deliciously concocted beverage (thanks to Paula Deen’s famous recipe.)Only a few days later, Hudson lost his “first” tooth.  I say first, because if you have seen pics of him, you know that he has been missing his front top teeth since 7/08 (they had to be pulled out following an accident).  It’s too darn cute.  But now, he is missing his bottom 2 teeth – the legit way!  (with his treasure box that he created – he decided he would put his teeth in here for the tooth fairy!)  The first one came out on it’s own, and he was a bit freaked by the blood….the second one had a little help from our own personal Dental Hygienist, who happened to be present at our home for dinner that night!  Miss Angie put her mad-skills to work, and convinced Hudson that she just needed to see how “loose” it really was.  Within seconds, Hudson had lost his 2nd legit-tooth.  He looks too cute – really!

Camp Staffaroni 2011

This year began a tradition.  We’ve been friends with Kim and James a long time.  I’m not putting exactly how long (but we graduated from Messiah in ‘00) and we love being together.  Due to geographical differences, it is not nearly enough, but we make it happen as much as possible!

This year we started Camp Staffaroni.  Kim’s parents live in the Poconos and we totally “redneck ghetto camped” in their backyard.  I’d love to say it was because we thought it was the best idea ever (which it was!), but mostly it was free.  And we didn’t officially “camp”.  We convinced the littles that the screened in porch was an open air cabin and they slept outside while the adults slept inside. :)

(Above:  Playing the bag game and having devotions before bed with Papa James and Uncle Chris.)  Having 1 seven year old, 2 six year olds, and 2 three year olds all together is quite an adventure ~ are we crazy? ~ and honestly so much fun.  There were late nights, and lots of fun (naps for all squeezed into some of those days too!).  I have over 100 pictures from the trip, so here are a few highlights.   

Lots of wiffle ball and swimming in the creek. Swinging on the crazy dome swings where all the kids could touch feet! Obviously, campfires and s’mores!

Little girls tea parties that lasted for hours! Going fishing with Papa James and Hudson & Anna catching their first fish!

  Sparklers!!! Callie’s Candy Shop – a Pocono legend.  Already looking forward to Camp Staffaroni ‘12!!!!!

11 Chapters…and counting

11 years ago, I married my prince. (Yes, of course, he sang to me….and I melted.)

We moved to Arizona. Began life together.  Began new jobs and learned how to do ministry together, as a team, full-time.

 

We had one of these…..(Hudson: aka, Bubba, Bubba-Looey, Handsome)

And a few years later we had one of these….(Anna: aka, Banana, Nana, Jellybean, Cutie)

We moved 3,000 miles as a family of four and returned to the East Coast where we felt God had called us to be for the next chapter in our lives.

We have lived, lost loved ones to death and cancer, we have beaten cancer (hallelujah one year cancer free! :), we have grown, and we have learned to love a little better everyday.

We are learning to die to ourselves and strive to live like the one who gave us this life.  And with you at my side, I am ready to face the journey with confidence as you hold my hand, lift me up, and encourage me.  You stretch me, challenge me, love my ugly, adore our children, step into each day with resolve to be a better man, and pretty much blow me away daily. 

Here’s to the next chapter of our lives….

Happy 11th Anniversary, my love.

Suh-weet Cherries!

Anna’s favorite fruit, if asked, at all times:

 CHAIR-WHEEES!

She was in heaven last night!  We went cherry picking at a local orchard (which we love, as they have all kinds of u-pick fruits the entire summer season!).  Grandmom and Uncle Bryan joined us in our venture and we managed to very quickly assemble close to 17 pounds of cherries.  And we didn’t move from where we started. The cherries were plentiful – abundant, really.  And

OH, SO SWEET!!

Needless to say, they were sampled.  Or shall I say, they were really our dessert as we picked post-dinner.  These pictures don’t do the faces justice, but these 2 little people were covered in cherry juice.  Particularly their cheeks, lips, and chins…..with drips that made rivers down their hands onto their elbows as they ate more than they were picking.  Here’s to cheery times with cherries!