Passing Through

Grandma + Pa were heading to Arknasas and decided to stop in for a short visit on their way.  Of course, there was great rejoicing.  The squeals of delight when grandparents are coming to town are music to my ears. 

Grandma + Ivory love to read together.  Here they are reading Amelia Bedelia--Grandma's favorite.

Pa + Grandma love to spoil--all of us.  This trip was no exception!  A dollar store date, Pepper's for dinner + dollar bills hidden under pillows to name a few excitements.  (Mom's personal favorite--Pa fixed the internet!)  We all *love* Peppers.  The kids favorite: queso + chips.

After our little Mexican fiesta we enjoyed a visti to the local marina.

The weather = perfect.

Ivory wanted to be sure to revist all the places as seen in our family photo book (when Debi took our family pictures shortly after Korban's birth). So much to see.

Ivory is still very much Pa's girl.

Some of the people most precious to me. Oh so curious. Exploring.  Micah = full speed ahead. Ivory = slowly meandering taking in every tiny little flower, ladybug + scenic detail.  Pa is very patient.

Micah found a sharp piece of plastic, "I  need to keep it. It's my sword.  It for stabbing sharks."  All boy.  Love it.



My kids have the best dad.
Watching form a distance. Dockside.
Daddy's shoulders are where it's at.
Micah was *very* frightened when we first climbed the tower, but it's amazing what a little assurance + encouragement from daddy will do.

So grateful for these visits with my parents + the special time with our kids.  Blessed.

Silver + Gold

I get nervous, excited, and intimidated every time I meet someone new.  Especially someone I really hope to be friends with one day.  Melissa Chaney was no exception. 

While it took some time for our friendship to blossom, it was well worth the effort and wait.  Melissa and her family became the kind of friends I plan to keep for a lifetime.  I share things with her and she just "gets it."  I guess being wife to a youth pastor (with our husbands being oh so similar) in the same small town calls for a lot of common ground--and very unique common ground.  While I've always known the Chaneys wouldn't be here forever and I trust in God's perfect timing, it has still been so hard to let go.  In fact, I haven't been able to even write about it for a while now without tearing up.  What am I talking about--I still do.

It was especially difficult to say goodbye when a lot of our "goodbye events" were canceled due to sickness in our family.  Thankfully, we did squeeze in one day for a meal at Pepper's and some playtime at the park.


These silly three had fun running up and down the sidewalks downtown. And playing at the bayside pirate ship park. Micah *loves* jumping to daddy. Ivory likes jumping...but she's a "big girl" and can jump all by herself. And of course Addie can't be left out of the jumping excitement.
Korban + Olive spent some time bonding. Ivory, "Will Mr. Sabian be coming?  Yes?  Oh good.  I don't hardly ever get to see him."  She was glad she could spend time coloring and sitting with him.  He's such a sweet daddy. 
When we got home we had one tired boy on our hands.
It never gets old watching them sleep.  So sweet.

Night out

One night we went out with MikeMike, Bobo, and Cassie to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Pepper's.  Mexican food + friends = winning combo
Of course we had to have fun walking around downtown after eating. 
And a trip to the park:

Great night!

Mexican + Pirate Ship Park

A homecoming deserves a celebration, right?  So a visit to our favorite Mexican restaurant was in order!  This girls loves her some lemons.

After a walk downtown (complete with a private live performance in the gazebo courtesy of Mom, Dad, Ivory, Micah & co) a visit to the pirate ship was a must.  There they would brave the attack of the giant octopus. Korban's sweet smile never ceases to brighten my day.  This kid is *anxious* to play with big brother + sister.
Micah is so proud that he can climb the stairs + slide all by himself.  Such a big boy. Sunset swinging by the bay is best. Lee Ann + Jason = lifetime lovers

Of course a trip to the water isn't complete without some rock throwing.  At least in daddy's book.  And he's trained our kids quite well in the art of rock throwing.  Apparently there's nothing quite like the thrill of seeing rocks (shells or sand in Micah's case) plunk into the water over and over and over. 
So grateful for this gorgeous weather we've been having!  And I'm grateful for a throw-up + fever free day.