boat night

Daddy & Mommy had their 2nd annual small group boat outing this past weekend, and they had such a great time.  7 out of 9 couples in small group were able to attend.  They took out 2 boats, cruised along Lake Norman, enjoyed snacks, good conversation, and tons of laughter, and also enjoyed dinner at North Harbor Cafe.  It was a beautiful night, and they sure enjoyed their evening.

Mrs. Jessica, Mrs. Bethany, & Mrs.Carmela

 On Mrs. Jessica "bucketlist" was boat hopping, so we got a picture of her actually boat hopping that evening!

 Some of the crew...enjoying some snacks while trying up our boats together.

(Yes, Daddy is in the blue shirt.)

 Mrs. Jessica showing us the size of the prawns that the Buker's brought...

 The Buker's & the Moore's

 The Crowley's & the Bechtold's

 The Karaffa's & the Sundgren's

 The Ladies

(Mommy, Mrs. Bethany, Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Tracy, Mrs. Jessica, Mrs. Carmela, & Mrs. Angie...we sure missed Mrs. Lara, Mrs. Bessie...and Mrs. Kim)

 Daddy & Mr. Shane

 Mommy & Mrs. Lisa

 After their yummy dinner, they enjoyed a peaceful boat ride back to the marina...until the music started playing and everyone started laughing at everything...

Some of the boys...

 ...& their silly faces!

 Some of the ladies...

 Daddy & Mommy

June 2013

 Mommy & Mrs. Jessica

 The Ladies...

 ...it was so dark so the flash on the camera was SO bright...that ladies on the left just laughed about it...but the ladies on the right had to put their hand up to shield the brightness...it was too funny!

 They have a blast together...

 And, the men...they have a great time together, too...they just don't get all cuddly for the pics :)

What a fun night!

memorial day fun...

Happy Memorial Day!!

We are so excited to spend a lot of our summer swimming.  And, we started our summer break doing just that.  Before our party started, Mommy got a few pics of us...

Brecken was so excited that he put his goggles on right away...and he doesn't even go underwater.  He just wanted to copy Brady! :)

Averie Grace

Memorial Day 2013

Brady Joseph 

Memorial Day 2013

Brecken Thomas

Memorial Day 2013

Another pic of each of us...right by Oma's beautiful planters...

Brecken loved his goggles...it was so cute!

Karaffa Kiddies

Memorial Day 2013

Ready for some fun in the sun...

Sweet Brecken was adamant about wearing his goggles his way...so he did for a little bit.  So funny!

We invited our awesome small group from church to celebrate the day with us.  8 couples...21 children...great fun!!

Nia & me (Averie) having a tea party!

Daddy helping Brecken fill up his water gun!

He was ready to join in with the boys and their water gun fight!

Mrs. Jessica & Garrison

Brecken jumping in to Daddy!

Daddy & Brady

Brady doing a big cannonball off the big rock!  Splash!!

Then, Brady showed us his new move for this summer...doing a flip off the diving board...go Brady!!

(And, he is no longer wearing a bubble...swimming all by himself!!)

Brecken first time jumping off the diving board...with a little help from Mommy!

Yay Brecken!!

Having some fun in the water!!

Me getting a fun ride with Mr. Jason!

Mommy & Mrs. Lisa

And, then a close-up since Daddy wasn't sure he took a close enough pic...haha!

Some of the boys...Leighton, Brady, & Trent

Aubrey & me

Some of the ladies...Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Bethany, Mrs. Carmela, & Mommy

Some of the Daddy's with their little girls...Mr. Jason/Emma, Daddy/Me, & Mr. Shane/Kara

Having some fun jumping rope...

...I love jumping rope!

Even Daddy & Mr. Shane jumped rope at the same time.  It was very funny!

Just part of our lunch!

And, Mrs. Bethany's "ho-ho" cake was a huge hit...some of the guys even ate right out of the dish...yummy!

Most of the small group ladies...Mrs. Angie, Mrs. Bessie, Mommy, Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Carmela, Mrs. Bethany, Mrs. Jessica, & Nia...& 2 photo bombers in the background :)

And, the closer, more personal "squeezy" pic :)

Mr. Jason & Mr. Bruce enjoyed the dessert way too much...they had dessert mustaches! :)

The Guys...Mr. Leland, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Leland, Mr. Jason, Mr. Tim, Mr. David, Daddy, & Mr. Robert

Take 1 of their version of a "squeezy" pic...

...and Take 2...Anyone notice how some of the guys didn't even change looks in any of the 3 pics? :)

Some of the ladies (including Mrs. Tracy, who wasn't pictured in our other group shot) sitting poolside

Some of the little girls hanging out on the rock...

...& the boys on the rock watching the diving board competition...

Brecken with some of the little girls!

We had such a fun day...lots of swimming, laughing, and eating.  We are so thankful for a wonderful small group...and thankful for those men and women who have sacrificed so much so that we could have a Memorial Day!