The Zoo.....

I really should have done this post a while ago, seeing we went to the zoo for Vince's birthday, which was September 15th, but we've been really busy, and time flies!

We went to the Detroit Zoo for Vince's 8th birthday. It was a lovely surprise! We didn't know that Dad had taken the day off, and he got all ready for work as usual. He even left, coming back after a couple minutes saying, "I forgot! I took the day off!" We were thrilled!
It was a hot day, and the misty fountains around the zoo were delightful.

The elaborate exibits were fun to look at. We read nearly all the signs for the animals we visited.

Noela enjoyed the day, too! Lydia pushed her around in the stroller.

These little ducks don't seem very small here, but I could have easily held them in one hand.

Noela's favorites were the turtles--I thought they were pretty fun myself!

This flower was in the aviary.

We thought it was pretty fun to see the cobra with his hood out!

Everyone's favorite was probably the under-water seal exibit. The tubes were nice and cool, and the seals were very active. It was fun to see the seals gliding about on every side of you!

We had a great time, and it was a wonderful day!

Looking back over the post, it is funny to see I have more pictures of people and plants than animals!

Summer Happenings....

Hello! I know I have been really bad about posting..........but we've had a wonderfully busy summer! I'll be posting another post on what we have done this summer, but here's to start you off:

We spent a whole week at our grandma's trailer! It is an hour away from our house, and we don't go there very much.

Everyone decided to gang up on ME! We were having a great time!

The tiny kitchen.

We went to our cousin's wedding, up in the Thumb. Noela is asleep on the be in the hotel room.

The wedding cake was beautiful! Our cousin made it.

We had a great time blue berry picking this summer! On this trip I think we got about 50lbs. We went 3 times this year.

My wonderful brother, Grant.

Little Audrey, who went with us along with her sister, Mary.

Mary picking blueberries!

Ryanne, Lydia, and Mary.

Noela with cherries all over her face.

Doesn't she has cute little lips?

Lugnuts game!

Dad, Vince, Grant, Lance, and Uncle Kyle.

Little Kailey.

Sarah (our cousin) and her little girl, Kailey.

Neola and Kailey had a great time together, playing in the sand box!

We were really busy this year with baseball. Grant was on two team, and he had games nearly every night!

Grant pitched for his U10 team. He's kind of tired in this picture. :~)

Lydia and I spent a day (and night) with Grandma & Grandpa (on Dad's side). We had a great time, helping Grandma clean.

Pretty little Noela........she was upset at us for trying to take her picture though!

Here she is feeding Anthony Bee Balm.

Our suite was right above the Tigers' bullpen.

One of the highlights of this summer was a once-in-a-lifetime Tigers game. Uncle Kyle rented a party suite and invited all eight of us (Dad, Mom, Me, Lydia, Noela, Grant, Vince, Lance) along with some others to come and celebrate his birthday with him. The tickets were $85 apiece! We had a terrific time. The whole way to the stadium, it poured. We were afraid that the game would be rained out. We were praying and praying that it would stop raining. It rained all the way until we parked and were entering the stadium. Then it stopped raining, and the sun even came out! The game was played, they ended, and not five minutes later, it started to rain again! We were thanking God! The only down was the Tiger lost.

Inside the suite.

Grandpa John, Vince, and Lance. Grandpa John and Grandma Rose came up from Tennessee for the game!

The view from the party suite was magnificent!

Thank you so much!!!!!

A banner that Lydia and Marie made for me!!

Yesterday was our meekness meeting. Before the meeting, Lydia planned a surprise birthday party for me. It was great! Everyone arrived an hour early, and went swimming. The pool (and air) were freezing (water about 66 degrees)! Afterwards, everyone got dressed and went inside. We were still cold though, so Mom brought down all of our extra blankets, and we wrapped up! It was fun! Then we went on with the meekness meeting. First we sang, and it sounded great! We had a couple funny skits, raced putting puzzles together (to demonstrate how important it is to have meekness with teamwork), and talked about overcoming anger. I think it was one of our best meetings so far (maybe it helped that you were celebrating my birthday :~).

Thank you so much girls!! I loved all of your gifts! They are each so unique and fun! I have never received so many presents all at one time!

~ All of the gifts from the girls ~

We had full attendance last night!!

After we were done downstairs, Mary, Faith, Maggie, Rachel, and Alexis picked up all the highlighters, stacked the papers, and folded the blankets. I want you girls to know that I really appreciate your help!

Thank you all for everything! I can't wait to see what the group gift will be! Looking forward to seeing you all on the 21st! I love you!

~~~Haley~~~