Labor Day Fun

We enjoyed spending Labor Day together as a family. We started our day off with a trip south of the city to hike a small mountain. There was a mini zoo there, so we checked out the animals before our hike. The kids had a great time exploring as we hiked. After our hike we went down to Wrentham to the outlets. As I was walking around, I spotted someone who I thought was the kid, Snap Boogie, from America's Got Talent. I actually stopped to ask him. It was, him! He is from Boston and got sent home last week. He is a street dancer, so naturally I loved watching him. As little Emet LOVES to dance, it is fun to watch these guys perform. He was great and I wished he would have stayed in the competition a little longer. But, he was very friendly and even took a picture with Ava. Emet got shy on me and wouldn't get in the picture.
After shopping we headed out to dinner to use a coupon we had for buy one entree get one free.
Overall our day was great. The best part, just being together as a family! I'm so thankful for my husband and our precious kiddos!

Before our hike

Checking out the mushrooms

Love this!

Are they cute or what?

Love him...

and her!!!

Snap Boogie and Ava

Time in South Carolina

Our time in South Carolina was jam packed. We saw family and friends and enjoyed every minute of our time there. We certainly made our rounds. The kids and I spent one night with Jeremy, Liz and the kids in Clemson. We went to my friend Tracey's the next night and then made our way to Allyson and Kevin's for First Baptist North Spartanburg's Global Impact Conference weekend. It was great spending time with friends and family and the conference was great too. We went to visit Jon's grandparents the day after the conference. So, our time was full...but so good! I'm thankful to have had this time to visit, but coming home and getting settled did feel good after two weeks of traveling!

Ava and Bryn

On a walk with all of our kiddos in Clemson...fun times!

We went to the park with Tracey and Bailey. It was great
to have time with Tracey, Asheton and Bailey. I love Tracey dearly
so having a night at her house was fun. We got to catch up and it was fun
to watch our kids together. We don't get this time often, so I treasure it
when we do. Tracey and I got close during our time at Seminary together.
I am thankful for her and her friendship. She is such a dear,
true friend and I love her so much!

Bailey is such a cutie pie!

FBNS brought Jon and I in for their Global Impact Conference. It was a great opportunity to share what the Lord has been doing here in Boston and with RHC. We have enjoyed this conference for two years now and are thankful for FBNS and their partnership.

Pat, me and Scarlet at the women's brunch during GIC weekend

Tracey came to the brunch as well.

Just because I think this picture is cuteAmy and Ava
Amy came up with her family when FBNS did a mission trip over spring break. Amy and Ava hit it off their first night in town when we went to dinner. They became instant friends. When Amy heard Ava was coming for GIC she wanted her to come for a sleepover. On Saturday night Ava went and spent the night with the Prices. Thanks to them for having her. She loved it!!!

Superman (x2)
Emet loves Kolson and enjoyed tagging along behind him all weekend!

Jon and I shared with the youth. This is a random shot of our home group night when we shared our story and what is going on in our lives up here as church planters.

Papa and Owen

Nana, Owen and Emet

Papa and Mama Simmons with the kids

Visiting with Mama Chasteen

Owen and Kevin cheering for Allyson's Bulldogs at their volleyball game.

Ava and Kelsey

Spencer and Owen
It was fun to see these guys together. They are only 12 days apart and I love that they will grow up with a cousin so close in age. Liz and I went a little camera happy taking their pictures in their matching outfits (thanks to Allyson for the outfits), but this is one of my faves!

Bryn, Spencer, Emet, Owen, Ava, Carson and Lydia

Kaleb and Emet

I don't have a picture from this trip, but my sweet friend Carrie and I got some time together this trip as well. We spent an afternoon/evening with them. The kids had fun playing and swimming that afternoon. But Carrie and I were able to sneak away for a frozen yogurt date one night. We went to Tutti Frutti and spent about 2 hours catching up, just us girls. Carrie and I just met in March when FBNS was here for the mission trip. But through that week and many phone calls and text messages since, we have built a great friendship. I loved getting to have time with her and hearing what the Lord is doing in her life. I'm encouraged by her faithfulness to the Lord, her husband and her kids. She is an amazing woman and I am blessed to call her my friend!
(This was from the week of Spring Break)

Time in North Carolina

We had a great trip down south. We spent the first part of our two weeks in North Carolina. We spent 5 days with my parents and 3 days in Durham with at Jon's parent's house. We definitely crammed in a lot of visiting and seeing friends into a short amount of time. I'm thankful for the time we had, even if it was short, quick visits. (Pictures are in no order...sorry!)

Love these girls! They picked us up in Greensboro and drove us the rest of the way to Durham. I am so thankful for these two precious girls. They mean the world to me. I love their passion for life and how the know that Christ is most important. Even at just 17, these girls really know what our life here on earth is truly about. I'm so encouraged by their faith and desire to follow Christ!

We love Brittney! She is so special to our family!

The Bonnett and Chasteen Kiddos
It was great to see the Bonnetts in Wake Forest.
We had a fun afternoon at their house! We are thankful
for this sweet family who are dear friends of ours.
We also visited with Allison Nelson and her three kiddos.
(No picture though.) It was good to see Allison too. I love being
able to go back to Wake Forest and see friends who are so special to us!
Nanny Janet
We had a wonderful breakfast with Nanny Janet.
We love her and enjoy getting to see her and spend
time with her when we are back in Durham.

We love the Murrays!!! We had a Chick-Fil-A lunch with
Laura and 3 of her girls. As always, so good to see them
and to see Ava and Addi together again. I cherish these times!

Love these girls together!

So sweet!

Ava and Emet's Ridgecrest buddies...Carly and Jeremiah

Emet, Eli and Ava at the pool

We enjoyed the pool one night with Leigh Ann, Kellie and their boys.
Here are our 6 of our 7 kids together...and Ava is the only girl!
She holds her own though!
(Not Pictured: Owen)

We went gem mining in Hiddenite. My parents use to take me as a kid and it is fun to see them do it with my kids. Ava and Emet love it. They get to dig in the dirt, get dirty and find cool rocks...what could be better right?

We were in Hickory for Mom and Dad's anniversary.
I made dinner for them and we celebrated as a family.

We made a trip up the mountain to visit a childhood friend of mine, Holli. We went to her house and enjoyed some time outside. Their house is in a valley and it is absolutely gorgeous. I was thankful to have time to catch up with Holli, see her sweet kids and meet her husband.

Marina, her little girl, got a pony for her birthday.
Ava and Emet loved the pony!

Thankful for my sweet friend!

Mom and Dad with the kids

Love this

Better late than never...

We have had a busy past few weeks, so here is a recap of some things that happened before we went on vacation to NC and SC. I will do a post later from our time traveling.

Melissa and Ava
Jon and Ava went to a pre-season Patriots game with some friends of ours.
They had a blast! It was a daddy/daughter date night to the football game.

Pats Stadium
Jon, Ava, Chris and Melissa

Go Pats! (Did I just say that?)

Ava's swim teacher, Caroline was amazing. She did a great job teaching Ava this summer. Ava loved swim lessons and loved Caroline. What a blessing to have free swim lessons up here!

We took a day trip up to Glouscester. It was fun to get away for a day and enjoy time together as a family. We went to the beach and even enjoyed some seafood (just popcorn shrimp) while we were there. We found a neat little beach/park/fort area that is great for families!