The Birthday Girl

Wow!! It is hard to believe that Taylor is now four.  We celebrated her birthday with a trip to Dutch Wonderland.  It started raining around 1:00 so we headed out for Taylor's choice for her birthday meal: "Alla Garden" (Olive Garden).  She was so excited when the waitstaff came out and sang to her.  At Dutch Wonderland she got a special sticker to put on her birthday girls shirt so she got lots of birthday greetings during the day.

Here are some pictures of Taylor as she has grown:

Sometime under 3 months





1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

Here is our great day at Dutch Wonderland:













Sunday Snapshot: Women of Faith

I had the awesome opportunity to attend a Women of Faith event in Philly on Friday night and Saturday.  I had attended one other time in 2001.  My mom and aunt were supposed to go with me, but due to the flooding in the Susquhanna River they couldn't make the three hour journey south.  One of my fellow teachers was able to come in my mom's place and D. (who traveled with us to China) also came.

If you have never attended, you are missing out.  It is such an awesome experience to sit with over 10,000 other women all praising God.  The music and speakers were so amazing.  I got to hear Sheila Walsh (love her), Lucy Swindoll, Lisa Harper, Nicole Johnson, and Angie Smith.  The musical guests were Mary, Mary and Natalie Grant.  On Friday night we were treated to a performance by Tim Hawkins.   I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  Here is one song that he performed.

I wanted to attend this Women of Faith when I heard that Angie Smith was going to be there.  I have been following her blog since shortly after we lost our Samuel.   Her story is truly amazing and you can find it at her blog.  I was so excited to be the last one allowed in the line at the meet & greet following the event.

Here are some pics of the hotel room were we stayed:

Sunday Snapshot: Summer Catch-up-Jill's Wedding

I have been horrible about posting this summer.  I have so many pictures/events that I have not blogged about.  In August we went to my cousin Jill's wedding.  Taylor had so much fun dancing.  My mom took a bunch of pictures for us to use for our dossier.  Enjoy!!!!



Dancing Queen



Taylor with Great Grandma VanNess

Dancing with Grandpa

Dancing on Daddy's Feet

I am defintely NOT sending this one to China.  They look like we are torturing them.