Lots more from our time with the Littles

The rest of our time with the Littles was so fun.

They are actually really close to everyone on our team so that was fun for everyone.

The guys have been especially close over the years.  One night after Lifegroup they had a "guys" night on the back porch.

I may not post pictures of it here...but I'll say it involved Settlers, lizards (in a cup going into someone's mouth!), a another certain someone being thrown into the pool (but not with out at 30 min fight).

Emily and the kids and I were all in bed through most of it, but we did hear the hysterical laughter.

Here are some highlights from the rest of the trip: 

One morning after the guys took the kids on a "run" to get donuts!

I can't remember now how many times Seth had In-and-Out when he was here...

maybe once every single day?

One morning we got to go and swim at the Stroupe's heated pool.

It was so fun and relaxing.

Emmy is in the float and Kristen is holding Lydia.

Look at that face!!  Such a beautiful baby.

Emily and Gracie

Emily and Lydia

Because Seth is the worship leader at CFCF in Boston, and because he's an excellent guitarist, he and Ellie always hit it off (because she LOVES to play the guitar).
A couple of things they have in comon:
They will both just pick up a guitar and start playing any time of the day!
They both have a pick in their pocket at all times!

Love Ellie's face here.

We did a lot of hanging out around the house...so there was a lot of time to 

just "play" with baby Lydia. 

Is that not the sweetest face on Lydia?

Yes, I think Sarah Grace is giving Lydia a sherbert!

Gracie LOVES baby "Ydia"...she always wanted to be close to her and

when she couldn't find her she would walk around the house saying,

"Baby Ydia?"

Having Jesus time/Playing with Baby Lydia

(notice how Ellie is trying to protect her by holding Emily back!)

Literally the center of attention.

(not sure where SG's clothes are?)

Baby Emily is called "Baby" a lot around our house.

But while Lydia was here she got a new nickname...

"Big Baby"

My girls still call her that some even after Lydia has left...

The last day they were here we all loaded up and took them on a tour of campus.

Emily wanted a pic by a cactus.  Sometimes I still think it's 

crazy that we live in the desert.  Cactus are just normal

for my kids now.  Strange.  But I love it!

This is a good example of how we normally all get around (especially if it's 

just me and the girls.)  This is how we went around campus.  E is a good 

sport about having the seat that's not quite as comfortable!

After a campus tour and lunch at Fuzzy's we headed over to the courtyard of a hotel
on Mill to get some pics.

All things considered, the kids ALL did great and we got some great pics.
My sister had gotten my girls these matching dresses and coincidentally Emily had gotten
the same dress for Lydia...so it was fun to get matching pics.

The best ones...
(Emily really doesn't ever want to just "sit"
so to get her to stay put was a challenge!)

And the bloopers...

Can you tell Lydia's mommy is a layed back mommy??

Her 8 week old in the hands of a 3 year old 

(but a 3 year old who has had a LOT of practice)

Sorry, Lydia!

All the girls!!

Amazing...everyone is looking and we didn't have any help!

Way to go kids! :)

I think this one is so sweet of E and Lydia.

One more pic before they loaded up to leave.  

Daddys with their baby girls.

 They had a red eye out so we were able to leave my girls with their favorite babysitters

(Nana and Kiki) and go out to dinner before they had to leave.  

Such a fun evening.  We had dinner and walked around downtown Scottsdale...

My sweet friend.

So fun to get time with her and watch her with Lydia.

She's an amazing mommy.

 A little far away...the guy taking it wasn't fully understanding

that he could get closer!

He just couldn't resist one more In-and-Out on the way to the airport.

Thank you, Littles for coming and seeing our life here.
Thank you for letting us meet Lydia and spend the week with her.

Thank you for being so interested in our city and in what God is doing here.

Thank you for liking it here--even with the heat!

We can't wait for your next visit!!
We love you!

When friends come to town...

I have SO many pictures, not to mention thoughts and stories to share from last week...don't know if I"ll ever get it all down but I'll see how it goes.

Our close friends the Littles came to visit and again, to be with people that you've known for so long and walked through lots of life with is priceless.  The Littles started becoming our good friends I think over 5 years ago.  They were around before we even moved into our house on Brooksdale (actually, I think the first time we all hung out was when they showed up to help us move out of our house on Hunnewell...they always have been of the serving kind!!).

What was special about this trip was that it wasn't just our friends Seth and Emily visiting...but their family has expanded.  This was our first time to see/meet/hold their sweet baby girl, Lydia Hope.  She is already 8 weeks old and this was my first time to see her...I had been counting down the days!  The Littles have held everyone of my babies with in a day or two of them being born...so it was about time for her to meet her Aunt Joy and Uncle Travis. 

Ok...I have to get on with pics from the week or I'll never get through this! 

Picking them up at the airport.  My first look at Lydia!
(unfortunately this is the only pic I have with her...sad!)

The girls meeting baby Lydia for the first time.

Some People from church told us about this fun hike North of the Phoenix area and 

so we decided to go try it out.  So after a laid back morning catching up we headed out.

Our car was packed out with 4 car seats, 4 girls 3 and under and 4 adults!

A pit stop to Sonic on the way...

Seth and E.  

SG getting a bite of ice cream from Em.

And on to Tonto Natural Bridge.

This ended up being such a fun place to hike!

Loaded up and ready to go.

This is taken from the top...I'm impressed that we made it all the way down there!

The babies getting their naps during the hike.

 Once we got to the bottom we went up under the "natural bridge"

so we were underneath this waterfall.  The kids loved getting out
of the backpacks and exploring on their own.

Ok, hilarious.  Daddy hiked and the girls just held on.  

They of course loved it, though.  Anything with their daddy.

If you look close you can see them. 

I have no idea how he got them way over there.

 Emmy and I hanging at the bottom.

Emily and Lydia.

My girls love the Littles.

They have been such a big part of their lives since they were born.

Cool shot, Seth.

The Little Family

That was day one with the Littles!