Friendship

I am sitting here, wondering what I can blog about since it has been a few weeks since I updated. But I guess I am too tired to get up right now to get my camera and down load my "new" pictures. So instead of getting up and getting my camera, I decided to look back at the pictures we took when we were in MO. this summer. And noticed that we took some great pictures of us with our FRIENDS. Terry and I have some very good friends and our kids have some awesome friends too.  I am so thankful for Angie and Mike for letting us stay with them and giving us such a wonderful time while we were there. They are wonderful hosts:) Thank you, Angie and Mike. I love you guys.
We also saw Jody and Melia. We had a good time hanging out a few times that week.We miss them here in SC but know that God has sent them to MO. to go to seminary. I am looking forward to see what God is sending them. But we miss them here in Lexington:( 
So I wanted to share some pictures of our friends...Although I am mad I didn't get a picture of Angie and I. Oh well, I guess we will have to take another trip to MO. next year so we can get that picture taken:)

 Josiah and Walter

 

Noah and Joel



 

Riley and Lydia

Terry and Jody

Melia, myself and Riley

 

The Van Dyke Family

 

 

 

All of us having a picnic at the St. Louis Zoo

 

Riley and Hanna

My beautiful children

Hanna and Angie

 

Walter and Jesse

Visting Old Friends

The week before school started we packed the family into the car and drove 12 hours to St. Louis, MO. to go visit Josiah's friend Walter. They moved last December and we decided that it would fun to take a road trip.  We got there on Saturday night around 8pm and the kids were so excited. Josiah jumped out of the van and ran up to Walter and gave him the biggest hug. I wish I had my camera ready but I missed that opportunity

On Sunday we just took it easy. We hung out at the Bianco's house and then around 5:00pm Jody and Melia Van Dyke and their kids came over for pizza. Joel was so excited to see Noah. They just hung out and played basketball and whatever else 12 year old boys do. Joel ended up going home with them on Sunday night and had a sleepover at their house.

Josiah, Walter and Lydia having dessert together:)

On Monday, Angie woke up with a stomach bug. She had planned to go with us to see Jody and Melia at Covenant Theological Seminary and see their new apartment. And then go to the St. Louis Arch. But she ended up staying at home with Hanna while we took Walter with us.

We first went to Covenant to pick up Joel and the Van Dykes. The boys had so much fun together. I think they played video games all night.

Noah and Joel.

 

 



Riley and Lydia.

 

 

After we got the tour of the apartment they took us on a tour around the campus-which really wasn't all that big but it was nice.

 

The Van Dykes New Appartment is on the bottom right.  

 

 

 

The Rogers/Van Dyke/Bianco's in front of the CTS sign.

 

This just melts my heart.

Josiah was SO happy to see his friend. He just wanted to give him hugs or hold his hand. It was so nice to see that even after 8 months of not seeing each other they still had fun together:)

 

In the student center there was a Dutch flag. So I had to get the kids to stand under it and take a picture. I don't really know what Jesse is doing. But I guess he is trying to be cool. I don't know.

 

I am wondering if there is a rule...EVERY student center has to have one of these.

 

After our tour we went back to their apartment and had to decide on where we wanted to go eat lunch. It took us a while to decide but finally decided on "Five Guys Burgers And Fries". After lunch we went to the St. Louis Arch.

 

Riley, Jesse and I had decided in advanced that we were NOT going up in the arch. Joel and Josiah on the other hand....they were jumping up and down in excitement to go to the very top.

 Here is Josiah waiting in line to go in the elevator.

This is the main reason I did not go to the top...the elevator was WAY too small.  

 Here they are, on the very top looking down on St. Louis.

 

 

While they were on top, we (Melia, Lydia, Phoebe, Riley, Jesse, Walter and myself) were down stairs walking around the museum they have.









 

 

After we got done in the museum, they had gotten back from the arch. So it was time to go home. We went out the the steps and took some more pictures. We had so much fun.

 

 

Thank you Jody and Melia for coming with us that day. I am glad we got to hang out with you guys. 

BAAAABY Shower

Last week, my friends Rebecca, Starr and I had a baby shower for our friend Sara. We had so much fun getting ready for it.  This is Sara's 4th baby and since they don't know what they are having we decided to go with a "neutral color" baby shower. We thought a lamb theme would be cute. So I decided to google "Lamb Baby Shower Ideas" and found this. This is actually a 1st birthday party but we made it a baby shower. Rebecca made all of the table decorations; the invitations (50+) and the sheep frame. She did such a good job with all of it. I have to say, it was a LOT of work but I had so much fun doing it.

This is the gift table. We were collecting gift cards/money. So I made a container with the sheep theme on it for people to put their cards in. I also made the diaper cake.

We decided to go with the color theme for the food too. So we had some REALLY nice people that offered to make the food for the shower.

For drink table we had water, ice tea and coffee. 

Here is a close-up of the banner that I made to hang up over the food table.



This is the cake that my friend Starr got made by a friend of hers. I love the way it came out. And let me tell you, it was GOOD!!! Now I want to get me a "cricut cake machine" so I can make fancy cakes like this one:)

 Let me tell you about these little "apple shooters"... They were awesome. Our friend Leslie offered to make these. And they were SO good. And I love the display she had too. It all just fit together.

Here are the popcorn cones Rebecca and I made. We popped the caramel popcorn right before the party and I just love the way it came out. And the little picket fence....isn't it cute??? Rebecca's dad made it for us. (Rebecca, tell your dad that the check is in the mail...hopefully its not lost).

Sara's daughter, Abby got to come and celebrate at the baby shower. She was so proud to be there (since her two brothers were at home with dad). I think she had a good time. I told her that she could have the little sheep from the cake...although I wasn't sure how it would taste. (I personally don't enjoy fondant that much)...and I don't think she did either. Oh well, the cake was beautiful:)

 Here is mom to be with Abby. I am so happy for this family. They have gone through a lot the past few years and God is blessing them with another baby. God is GOOD!!! Congratulations, Sara. I am so glad Rebecca, Starr and I got to do this for you. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. And I can't wait to meet the new "BAARENDSE" baby:)

Rebecca, Starr and myself with the table decorations. I can't believe I did not get a close up of the beautiful flowers!!!! I'm going to have to learn how to make these!!!

Thanks Rebecca for making all these flowers.  You did an awesome job. We should start our own "baby shower" business. Just think of all the sheep we can make????

You ladies are the best. I had so much fun doing this with you guys. Thanks for letting me help. Now, to our next baby shower!!!!