Ben Turns 16!!!

Tuesday was Ben's 16th birthday. I was asked to substitute for his English class that morning. So I brought in donut holes, orange juice, and a big cookie. One of his friends also brought in cupcakes-thanks Amy! After the class did their work, we had a party!
crazy boys!
One of the boys had the "brilliant" idea of hoisting Ben in a chair and carrying him down the hallway. They also tried to build a human pyramid but never were successful!!! I'm glad this happened at the end of the school year rather than at the beginning since they were a little disruptive!!!! I wonder if I will be asked to sub again!?!?
We gave Ben a cell phone for his birthday. He hasn't been this excited since he got his electric jeep when he was 5 years old! It was quite fun to watch!!
Ben, we are so thankful for the incredible gift God gave us 16 years ago....when He gave us you. You bring so much joy into our lives! We look forward to watching you grow into the man God wants you to be!! We love you very much!!!!

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God and Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

Mothers Day in Williamsburg

My three handsome boys
On Saturday afternoon, we headed south to Williamsburg. Our dear friends, the Hutchisons were out of town and offered us their house. We had a great time together walking all over Colonial Williamsburg. David and Jonathon both bought tri-cornered hats and guns. Instead of pretending to be Revolutionary War heroes, they were pretending to be Horatio Hornblower......same era......different war. We have just recently watched Horatio Hornblower, so that's where their imaginations were!


Hannah just loved Thomas Jefferson. She kept saying, "Tom is so cute"! I wonder if that's what all the girls said about him when he was living?????
My family treated me to a wonderful Mothers Day.....breakfast in bed, precious, well thought-out cards, and a new wallet to match my purse. I love being with them!

Trying on feathered hats

I needed this when they were younger. ha ha!

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

We love alpacas! Isn't he adorable?
I love to knit. Todd's grandmother taught me right after I got married. For years all I knit were dishcloths. And after awhile that got boring. So I didn't knit that often. But all that has changed. Now I love knitting and do it most every chance I get(which isn't nearly often enough). Todd's mom has patiently instructed me many, many times. She is the super-knitter in our family!!


So when I heard about the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I just knew we had to go. I didn't have any trouble convincing Rachel, because she is a knitter as well. The others?? Well.....it took a little convincing. Todd felt like he needed to watch the movie "Babe" (the pig who acted like a sheepdog?) for some inspiration. But they were all good sports and agreed to go. It was an incredibly beautiful drive from our house to the festival-about 30 minutes long. Living in a metro area, sometimes we forget just how close we do live to the country. It was all farmland and it was gorgeous. We got to the festival and saw sheep, alpacas(our personal favorites!), and llamas. We saw sheep being sheared and we also got to see a working sheep dog demonstration. That was pretty cool!!


And then there was the yarn......oh my. It was like being in a hundred yarn shops all at once!!! It was overwhelming. But I wasn't about to be deterred. I plunged in with the rest of the knitters and did my part. But I did exercise a little self control and only bought 4 skeins and a book.


Mark your calendar next year Eloise......you just have to be here!
This little guy was so upset because his owner wasn't with him. He calmed right down as soon as she came and got him.

Hannah was a little nervous at first about petting this sheep. But then she got used to him and gave him lots of love.
The sheepdog demonstration was pretty neat to watch!
` A few people showed up

Spring Band Concert

David and Mr. Chouinard before the concert
Getting ready to perform
Rachel performing with the strings ensemble

Friday night was the Covenant Life Music Academy's spring concert. All the choirs, string ensembles, and the band performed. Rachel played in the strings ensemble, and David played his trumpet in the band. They both did a great job.