The Summer!

This summer has really gotten away from us! We would have liked to have kept up better with the whole blogging thing...but we have been far too busy! So, instead, we'll have to show you everything at once! We hope you have left yourself plenty of picture-viewing time! You're gonna need it!!
So, here we go! A summer of firsts it has been...as you will soon see! Silas is on the move!! From Canada to Kingdom Bound, retreats, camping, bonfires, reunions, picnics...he keeps up with the pace that we call life and loves every minute of the adventure! And we LOVE having him along for the ride!!

August!!

August has been an incredible month. It's been so incredible, we apparantly want to underline the entire posting.

This month, Silas went camping for 5 days to a Christian music festival, celebrated a 25th Anniversary, a 65th Anniversary for his Great-Nanny and Poppie, rode on his first carousel and Ferris Wheel, attending his second wedding and sat atop a Rolls Royce. And when all was said and done, had therefore eaten a LOT of cake. Well, the 22 lbs. had to come from somewhere!

Dedication

This June, just a few days after his first birthday, we had a service of dedication for Silas at our church. It was an honor to have Silas surrounded by family and to have his Papa perform the ceremony. It was a beautiful day and a unique opportunity to publicly express that we recognize Silas to be a gift from God and to commit ourselves to raising him with an understanding of God's love for him and the plan He has for Sy's life.

For those of you who could not be there, check out the video below!

First Birthday Bash!

So, after all that God has brought Silas through over the course of the last year, we decided to make his first birthday a HUGE celebration of his life!! Since Silas loves his farm animal noises, we decided it was the perfect theme. So, we went to work months in advance making large painted cut-outs of barn animals, making cow spots on tableclothes, cow spots on cups (thanks, Rick and Christina!), making hay out of brown paper bags...the usual! It was a wonderful celebration with tons of people who have loved and supported Silas over the last year. We could not have asked for more!! We have more pictures than one could ever fit here, but we have posted some of the best. Check out the cow cake (there were three!!) that Silas got to play in, too! And thanks to everyone that came to our Barnyard! You made his day extra special!

Our Baby ... One Year Later!

The biggest news of the summer was Sy's First Birthday. To think that it has already been one year is unimaginable! The time has flown by, but the pictures above tell a story of how much has happened in one short year.

These are currently our favorite pictures...and we, as you can tell, have thousands to choose from! The first picture is Silas at one day with the Teddy Bear we bought him. The second is him at one year with the same bear. Truly amazing...even to us!!

Mini-Vacation

After J.L. got back from an 11 day Mission Trip, we decided it was time to get away! So, on our 8th anniversary, we loaded the car and headed to Canada to stay in a friend's cottage (or mansion, depending one's perspective!). We had a super restful time and it was good to be back together again!! We did nothing but walk on the beach, eat s'mores and other relatively unhealthy foods, and watch cable TV. Now that is my kind of vacation!!