Vacation Bible School-2015

The second week of our summer vacation was spent at Vacation Bible School (well, in the mornings at least). I signed up to be the VBS photographer so I had the easy and fun job of just walking around taking snapshots of all the kids having fun. It was the perfect job for this girl :) Eli was in the Kindergarten group and had the best time hanging out with Scott, Bryce, Hannah, and more of his friends from church and school. Eli started going to VBS with me years ago when I was the VBS coordinator for our church so he loves this week at church. Our church used the materials from Lifeway and I have to say they were so good this year, especially the music! I loved all the songs! It was a great week and the best part is that every single kid came into contact with the gospel message that Jesus loves them, died on the cross for their sins, and desires to live in their hearts. Several kids asked Jesus into their hearts during their week at VBS and that is the best news of all!

I loved the theme "Journey off the Map"

Eli and Scott

Harley Clare enjoying the nursery

Eli and Hannah

Having fun in crafts

Donating his money to the offering bucket. This year our kids raised money to send to Samaritan's Purse to help people in other countries buy chickens and goats. 

Riley, Hannah, and Eli

Eli and Bryce

Doing the motions to one of the VBS songs

Eli and Taylor

Eli, Hayden, and Scott

Eli and Hannah

Scott and Eli

It was a fun and very busy week, but we enjoyed it very much! I'm so glad Eli is able to participate in these fun activities at church. 

A Trip to Uncle Clare's Pumpkin Patch

Every year Uncle Clare plants lots of pumpkins in his pumpkin patch. We've never helped harvest pumpkins before but this year we did and it was so much fun! This is definitely a tradition we hope we can continue next year. We got to their house and loaded up on the trailer with Zue-Zue, Mammy, and Harley Clare. Then Uncle Clare drove us around to the pumpkin patch where we got right to work harvesting pumpkins. 

Mammy and Uncle Clare's grandson, Brian, met us out there and he decided to search for the biggest pumpkin in the patch. I didn't get a picture of it but he definitely found the biggest one of the day!

Harley Clare wasn't that interested in the pumpkins this year, but I know next year she'll be toddling around trying to keep up with everyone. This year she was pretty content just to be in someone's arms. 

Josh used to help Clare with his pumpkins every year so this was a chance for him to relive the "good ole days." See how excited he looks :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my first pumpkin patch experience and can't wait to do it again!

Look at how many pumpkins we harvested!

The best part was that after we harvested all the pumpkins we got to pick some out so we could put them by our front door. Thanks for this fun experience Uncle Clare!

Welcome, Harley Clare!

Our little circle of friends has a brand new baby to love on and she's just perfect! Harley Clare Johnson was born on August 15th to Tammy's daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Will. I was supposed to take pictures of Miss Harley's grand entrance, but she ended up needing a C-Section to get out so I didn't get to take pictures until after I got off work. I went to pick Eli up from school and then we both went to the hospital to meet this little sweetie. 

Sarah, Will, Tammy, Clare, Ben (Sarah's brother), Emily (Ben's wife), and Zue-Zue were all there loving on Miss Harley. She was precious and perfect in every way!

Will and Sarah with their sweet little girl. 

Eli checked out Harley and then made himself comfortable on 

Emily's lap with my phone while I went picture crazy :)

Tammy and Clare with their two girls. 

Tammy and Clare are over the moon about their first grandbaby!

Clare holding his granddaughter who's named after him :)

I took this photo of Clare while he was talking to Harley saying, 

"You know you're loved, right? Because you are. I love you so much!"

Tammy and Clare are going to be the best grandparents to Harley!

Sarah and Harley with Ben and Emily

Mammy with her two babies.

After taking pictures, I finally got my hands on her. She was just precious!

Oh, I miss those sweet baby days. They're so squishy and soft. 

I love all the little baby noises they make :)

The sign I painted for Harley's arrival :)

Welcome to the world, Miss Harley Clare Johnson! I am so glad you are finally here and we can love on you! I can't wait to watch you grow up into a beautiful little girl!