When I Turned 30!

I turned 30 at the end of September but we've just gotten the pics from our friends. Travis threw me the most fun suprise party ever. I thought I was meeting the girls for a little birthday dinner at Unos. Oh, was I deceived! If you have to turn 30--this was a fun way to do it! He had pictures of me from growing up--fun, but a little embarrassing--blown up all over the room along with facts from 1978. For instance, the average price of a new car (just over $6,000!). Here is Trav and the crew setting up...

This was my gift card tree (Sandra's great idea!). I was SO blessed! Gift cards from all my favorite places...Gap, Panera, iTunes, Starbucks, etc. I'm still enjoying them!!

Ellie, of course, LOVED the party!

This is baby Asher--it was his first party! We were honored to have him as a guest. He loved it--can't you tell!

Thank you to my sweet husband who pulled this off! I felt so loved!!

Ellie's Many Faces...

She's been working on the number one since her birthday is in less than a month. We're not sure if she's pointing here or telling us she's about to be one!

We had our retreat for the college students two weekends ago...my mom kept Ellie while we were there, but they came up for a visit one afternoon and these were taken there. It was SO beautiful. Thank you, Grandmommie for taking care of Ellie! It was such a blessing.

Trav's Marathon

The race was Oct 18th but I wanted to post some pictures of the REAL runner of the family. After much discipline and perserverance, Travis has made it to the end of yet another marathon...only this time the course, though beautiful, was much more grueling than the one he ran before in Hartford. This one was along the "rolling" coast of Rhode Island--and when I say rolling, I mean HILLS. But he did great and finished in less than four hours...beating his previous time. Are marathons in his blood now? Will he run another one?? We'll see!

Ellie on the pace "car"!

There were five guys that all ran the race together...Travis and Andy ran together from start to finish. I don't know how much they actually communicated during the race, but at least they kept each other company!

We wanted to try and see the runners as many times as we could! Sandra was the map master!

Seeing Ellie would always put a little spring in his step...or at least a smile on his face!

The faithful cheerleaders! Sandra, me, Ellie, Amy, Kristen, and Emily. I got to run 7 or 8 miles with him...fun for me...but for him it was miles 13 to 21, so still hard! Go Daddy Go!!

The Champions! All of them achieved the goal they set for themselves!! Ellie relaxing with Daddy as he recovers. Ellie couldn't believe what Daddy did!! Look at that medal! Way to go Travis!! We are so proud of you!

Ellie's Baby Dedication

Ellie was dedicated this morning at church! She started out asleep but then woke up confused as to how she got to the front of the church...but once she realized lots of people were looking her way, she gladly welcomed the attention and smiled for everyone! She especially loved getting her "Tiny Testament." This was a day where we really missed our families...but we are thankful for sweet friends to support us and Ellie!