Matt's Basketball Camp

I know, I know it has been a long time. So, I am going to attempt to catch you up on all the happenings this summer. So, here it goes....

Matthew at Flager College Bo Clark Basketball Camp.

Matthew, Jake & Jackson

Cool Kid

Matt had a great time playing basketball and hanging out with his friends. He is looking forward to next year.

Jackson, Bo Clark & Matthew

(Bo's dad was one of my professors @ UCF. Bo is in the UCF hall of fame for Basketball along with his father who coached there for many years.)

Goodbye Braces!

Today, after 10 months of living with a metal smile, Gabby had her braces along with the appliance removed. She says it feels so weird especially when she can feel the roof of her mouth with out the appliance in her way. She will receive a retainer to wear at night tomorrow. After a congratulatory lunch Gabby popped in her favorite gum and chewed it for the remainder of the day. She is looking forward to eating all those things she could not eat because of the braces and appliance.

Gabby in the office as her name scrolled by indicating she was getting her braces off today.

Congrats Gabby, keep smiling!

Pasta Part 2

Now it is time to roll out the dough! Grandpa brought his pasta maker from OH and showed us how it was done. You roll out the dough and then start sending strips of dough through the machine to flatten and knead it. Once it was at the right consistency you put on another piece of equipment to cut the dough into the pasta you desire. We made fettuccine. Place in boiling water for 3 - 5 minutes and it is ready to go. What a fun lesson and a delicious homemade meal. Thanks Grandpa!

Pasta Making with Grandpa & Nana

Grandpa gave us an education on how to make your own pasta. He showed us how to make pasta by hand. Each of the kids got to work on their own dough. After it was all rolled up in a ball we refrigerated it for a few hours.

Nana & Matthew

Spring Piano Recital 2011

This past Sunday Gabby and Matthew participated in their spring recital for piano. Mrs. Patterson had the children perform in age order and Matthew was the first to perform his two songs. He did a wonderful job!

Gabby was the 4th student to perform her two songs. She was so composed and played so beautifully. It amazes me how composed and confident they are when performing in front of a group of people. We are so thrilled! They both did an amazing job.

Matthew, Mrs. Patterson & Gabby

Belt Test & Easter Party

The sun was shinning, there was a slight breeze in the air and the temperature was so ideal, Spring is in the air. It was such a lovely day to be outside enjoying God's creation. The first part of our day consisted of the kids being outdoors playing and riding bikes. Then it was time to head to Matthew's Karate belt testing.

Here is Matthew warming up getting ready for the belt testing. He has been progressing so quickly through the belts. It has been a joy to watch him grow in and through Karate.
Matt had to sidekick and break a board as the final part of his test. He nailed it! Man, was that cool to watch.

He is now a red belt.

Matthew, Mr. Jose and Alex aka "mayhem" (you know that car insurance commercial?)
After lunch Gabby and I attended the annual ladies Easter celebration at Judith's home. Judith and her sister Amy supply crafts, cookies to decorate and an easter egg hunt. All the ladies, young and old had a lovely time.

a rainbow?

Alex came running into the house and exclaimed, "Mama there's a rainbow by our house!"

I followed him outside knowing this could not be true, because we have had sunshine all day today. When I stepped out and looked at what he was talking about I was taken aback by the beauty of what I was seeing. I ran in and got my camera. I let Alex know that it was not a rainbow but a lovely sun setting. This beautiful picture reminds me of the God I serve and how lovely and awesome all His creation is.

::From the Rising of the Sun::

From the rising of the sun
To the going down of the same
The name of the Lord shall be praised
From the rising of the sun
To the going down of the same
The name of the Lord shall be praised

So praise ye the Lord
Praise ye the Lord

From the rising of the sun
To the going down of the same
The name of the Lord shall be praised