A Day with Our Dear Friends, the Hansons

Yesterday we enjoyed a beautiful day with Brian, Johanna, Stefan, and Baby Girl Hanson in the quaint town of Galena, IL. We got to tour one of Ulysses Grant's homes, eat a delicious lunch at Vinny's Italian Restaurant (yummy garlic bread!) and Johanna and I window shopped in several neat little shops along Main Street. We topped the day off by hitting 2 chocolate shops (yes, 2, and, yes, you're dealing with 2 pregnant women :-) ) and enjoyed our ride back to Rockford. The day was filled with great fun, lots of laughs, and wonderfully refreshing fellowship with our dear friends. We love you, Brian and Jo!

Fun in Indy!!!

On the way to Rockford, IL, a couple of weeks ago, we got to enjoy a few hours in downtown Indianapolis, IN (I grew up about 40 miles NE of Indy, so I was feeling a little nostalgic about the whole thing :-) ). We walked around Circle Centre Mall and then toured the Capitol Building. We topped off our time by getting Steak-n-Shake to go (one of my favorites!!).

Play Date in Rockford

We're currently having deputation meetings in Illinois, and some of the moms from Morning Star Baptist Church here in Rockford were so kind to invite Viviane and me to join them for a play date yesterday. We started at Barnes & Noble for a story and craft (necklaces made out of pasta and fruit loops :-) ) and then made our way down to a spectacular play place for kids in the mall. Viviane had a blast playing and I really enjoyed the fellowship with the ladies!

At the Zoo!

Viviane and I thoroughly enjoyed a trip to the Wichita Zoo with Jenny and the kids today! (The men stayed home and worked while we played:-) ) I think the funniest thing Viviane said from her stroller was "Come here, Parrot, and sit on my lap" as we walked through the South America section. Thanks, Aunt Jenny, for treating us to a fun time at the zoo!

Fun at the Kansas State Fair!

We had tons of fun with Jenny & Lance's family at the Kansas State Fair on Monday! Viviane LOVED the rides in Kiddie Land, and her cousin Micah was sweet to ride with her on the ones Daddy was too big for :-) We enjoyed seeing the winning pumpkin (I think it was over 800 pounds), having a picnic lunch, riding rides, and eating funnel cakes--YUMMY. Jenny and Lance spoiled us by treating us to all of it, and we thoroughly enjoyed the day! Thanks, J&L!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!!

Happy 33rd Birthday to my sweet husband Michael and wonderful Daddy to Viviane and "Baby Girl on the Way"! This picture was taken just 2 days ago at the Kansas State Fair--Viviane and Daddy rode the carousel together :-) Viviane, Baby Girl, and I all hope you have a wonderful day, Daddy! We love you!!!!

Quotations from Viviane

After our singing and prayer time tonight before bed, Viviane sat on the ottoman, looked straight at Daddy and said, "We're going to do your devotions now. Can you say I Corinthians 13:4?" I'm glad she's listening during morning family devotions and actually remembering some of what we do :-)

Then, after we tucked her in and I said "Goodnight, Babes," we headed down the steps from her attic room and she said "Goodnight, Babes Daddy. Goodnight, Babes Mommy."

She cracks me up :-)