Lazy Sunday afternoon...

This picture cracks me up

 I was experimenting with the zoom on my new camera the other day and was pleased that it works pretty well!  I have to be extremely still, but am happy to say that i took these pictures from my bedroom window.  Paul and Mckenzie are by the street. 

Later that afternoon, Suzanna went to her friend, McKay's, house and the rest of us went and rode bikes, etc. at County high.  Paul and I decided we had to use the potty, so we drove home and then went over to the neighborhood tennis courts for the girls to ride around, enjoying the nice spring like weather. 

YES!  Springlike weather!  10 days prior, roughly, the southeast was covered with ice.  Today, the high may have touched 40 degrees. 

Meeting Julia

On the way home from the Marathon, we got to meet our new friend, Julia! 

Merecedes Marathon

With Maggie A.

With Bella and Ashley

 I was so proud of Suzanna and Mckenzie for completing the Mercedes Kids' Marathon.  They ran 25 miles at school (roughly) over the course of the last few months and finsihed mile 26 in Birmingham last Saturday.  I was completely tickled and we were so glad to have friends there to complete it with.  Paul was able to run with Mckenzie.  I was completely shocked at how many people were there!  It was packed!!!

With Katherine

Sock Hop!!

 I work at a great place!  TPP is so much fun, with so many creative women.  One idea that someone had months ago was a sock hop on Valentine's Day.  It was a roaring success!  An advantage of being a mom who works there is that I could get lots of pictures of Wendy with her friends. 

Wendy and Nina.  Superstars!!

With Abigail

Mckenzie's 7th Birthday!

 Mckenzie turned 7 on February 13!  School was delayed because of icy weather (again...) and she was able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast-in-bed!  She chose water and chocolate chip muffins. 

The cousins came over early because Renea had to be at work normal time, so it was extra exciting. 

Paul, Wendy, and I ate lunch with Mckenzie and then checked her and Suzanna out.  The girls and I came home for her birth moment and then went to Taco Casa for a birthday snack. We hung out at home for a while and then went to Pizza Hut for dinner.  Then we came home, ate yummy dirt cake, and then opened presents.  She got a karaoke machine, and Groovy Girls doll, a "real" bible, and various other fun things. 

Seven things I love about Mckenzie:
1.  Her crazy laugh.
2. Cuddling with her while we sleep.
3.  Her getting excited about good grades. 
4.  Those groovy glasses.
5.  Her encouragement to Wendy when Wendy accomoplishes something new.
6.  The way she says Mrs. Duncan (Mrs. DUNcun).
7.  The way she looks in tap shoes.

Getting ready for valentines

 Here are a couple of picture of Mckenzie and Wendy addressing valentines to their friends at school.  It's a Fun-Dip Valentines!!!

Also, Paul sent them out one afternoon to gather kindling for the next potential ice storm coming in.  Thankfully, we got nothing from that one, but because it was so awful a couple of weeks previously, he thought we should be prepared.  Also, we had milk and bread around this time:)

A visit from our favorite missionaries

 We were so privileged to be able to host our favorite missionaries, the Boyds, a couple of weeks ago into our home during our church missions conference.  We were asked to host them for the second time and it was exhausting and also a very amazing time.  Since they were last with us, they have had a fourth child, Kristina.  Her older sister is Katherine, and brothers are Aiden and Levi. 

The kids had so much fun running around, making rubber band bracelets, playing spa, acting like kids, and getting not nearly enough sleep.  I loved my time with Tracy who loves Jesus so much and somehow manages to make Him so real in her daily life.    Paul loved his time with Tony, who loves to talk and listen as much as he does!   

 Tony and Tracy are in the US until they raise the needed support to leave Australia and move to Malaysia where their hope is that they will help to love on the people there and train the locals how to reach out to each other in the name of Jesus.