new hats

here are the kids sporting new hats from grandma loralee.  thanks grandma!  of course, they go with the whole UM theme of yesterday's party (check the previous post).  the boys think they are the coolest.

on a side note: here's a little taste of what i've been hearing around the house.  dave taught them the important things in life.

"Jesus love the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and pink......

YOU STINK!!!!!"

and then a chorus of giggles and snorts.

birthday with the fam

can you guess the theme of the party?  rockin'the "U"

teaching them young......

dave and his ghetto attitude (notice the 31.....)

one of the SEVERAL birthday cards they each made daddy.  this is drew's.  it says: "daddy, i love you very, very much." (supposedly- it could also say, "you are the the best daddy in the whole wide world."))

aiden's card: "happy birthday daddy."  

dave's cake of choice is not really a cake.  had a hard time telling the boys that it is really a cookie, not a cake.

daddy and his boys!  dave crashed early in aiden's bed, too.  i heard him snoring early evening.  a good sign: belly full and heart satisfied. :) he loves his boys.

drummer boys

the perks of having a worship leader for your dad: you can play the instruments when you want!  guess what instrument the boys are LOVIN'?!?!?! inside, i'm groaning........

sneak peek

coming home in the car often leaves two tired boys!  we have good laughs at these two crazies.  these are after an afternoon at grams' house.  notice the video aiden is clutching.  thanks for the video and fun, grams!

here's drew with his blanket. this still reminds me of his baby days.....

aiden's photography

as my kids can dive into my purse occasionally, i find new pictures on my camera.  here's some of aiden's latest.  (at least there is a subject in each frame!  he's getting better.  it used to consist of the ceiling and floor....)

the trash can:  look at that angle!  i'm proud.... what can i say?

my purse: note to self, zip it up. 

a little hint of aiden's mischievous nature and unique sense of humor.  he was quite proud of himself. 

pics from janell's shower

the carroll women: me, janell, susan, and rosie.  dave and his brother,dan, both lived with grams (rosie) during college and subsequently met their wives.  we joke about it being "rosie's finishing school: come live here, get a degree, and find a wife."

my new sister: janell.  i wish i took a picture of her shoes!  she definitely has great taste and fun shoes.  this year has been a year of discovery for me and shoes.  i know, it's taken awhile but why would i care about heels when you are chasing around 2 toddlers?

 

happy birthday to dave :)

well, not quite yet.... wednesday to be exact.  i'm toiling over what to make him for dinner.  suggestions?  leave a comment with some ideas.  

on another note: we did go down to west palm to drop the kiddos off at grams.  dave and i went to see batman (wanting to see it on imax but it was sold out) and opted for just the regular screen.  it was definitely a darker movie and not so cut and dry as spiderman.  it is also more evident how little gore and suspense we watch.  (i hid my eyes through several parts.)  garbage in, garbage out.  in any case, i think i was more intrigued with this film being heath ledger's last.  

this weekend was a blast with so much activity.  i'll post pics tomorrow when i have more time. janell's shower and some of the boys, of course.  have i mentioned they are two CRAZY kids?  

one last praise:  looking forward to getting into the church building again.  amen, anyone?  :)

baldies

i recently came back from Student Life Camp (a blast) as i helped chaperone the youth from calvary.  what a wonderful time in worship with chris tomlin and louie giglio.  

anyways, i was enjoying an afternoon with the students as i received a text from dave with a particular picture.  my kids are bald. they look like miniature daves.  what could i do but laugh?!?!?  

apparently, drew begged his dave to have a "cool haircut like his daddy".  and so the shaving began.....

rockin' the PSL

for those who have been out of the loop, dave is the current worship pastor at calvary chapel port st. lucie.  we are LOVING it.  (i would link their website if i knew how.... i still have to mess with some stuff.)  i've been pleasantly surprised with psl.  the area is really booming and there's new construction all over the place.  plus, the housing market is CHEAP and i'm looking forward to moving into a house with a yard.

God has really allowed this past year to be a year of growth and stretching.  it hasn't been the most fun and often has been lonely.  but God is faithful.  what a mighty God we serve.  looking back- i couldn't have imagined God landing us here.  He has truly protected us.  i look back and see how God continued to direct me to Psalm 34 over this past year.  take a look at it and see what promises God gives to those who trust in Him.  

anyways, we love the people on staff and their wives.  the other pastors are humble men whom God has graciously blessed.  the church is currently meeting at a school as reconstruction is being completed in the old facility. (crap flooded the facility: literally.)  even in this move, the church continues to grow and thrive. 

if you are in the port st. lucie area, come and join us.  we have a blast and dig deep into God's Word.  the current series is on the book of Philippines (my personal fav). 

don't forget to check out Ps. 34. 

new dress and shoes

so i had my new shopping buddy (aka: Dave) come to marshalls with me.  now to let you know.... i hate marshalls.  you can include tj max and ross in with marshalls too.  i get so worn out searching and searching for clothes that fit correctly.  i would rather go to a store that i know i LOVE and just buy stuff on sale.  for instance: i love ann taylor loft.  wonderful store.  clothes look great and are cheap when on the sale rack.  i digress

i always here how great these stores are from my mother-in-law and now my new sister-in-law (janell! welcome to the family!!!).  so i'm in hunt for a new dress for janell's bridal shower.

here's my new dress for $15, a steal, and new shoes from macy's.  i'm slowly learning.....

bloggity blog

so here we go.  i've been a secret stalker for several months-reading this blog and that.  i've been encouraged spiritually by several blogs, which i'm sure that i'll link here.  quite amazing christians in their own walks with Christ.  anyways, i thought this would be a great spot to load pics of the kids and give updates on our family.