Welcome Home!

Dean arrived home yesterday after being away for a week at a youth Bible conference. He was sorely missed by us all, especially after spending 4 weeks together it was a shock to the system not having him around. The kids made a great welcome home poster for him (see photo).

I'm sorry I haven't been very active at blogging recently, but now that Dean is home - hopefully I'll have more time and energy to do some blogging. I've still got LOADS of photos from our trip to show so watch this space.

**Please pray for Dean as he has an essay due on September 1.

I have also added a link to a fantastic blog for Christian women. I discovered this through reading some of the books that this mother and her daughters have written. Some of the books I have read are...'Girltalk...conversations for mothers and daughters' and 'Shopping for Time'. I have ordered a few more of their books and look forward to reading them as well as checking in on their blog often. Hope all you ladies enjoy it.

From Dean!

Hey did you see the blue moon tonight? Well I did and that told me that it was time to put something up on the blog! I'm having a great time with family in the US and today's activities merit a blog entry (I had to wait until Kris was in bed though because it involves her!) Anyway I occasionally like to try my hand at a game of golf and opportunities come my way over here (my brother in law plays) so today I got to play but the suprise that I have for you is that Kris came with me! There was 4 for of us in total - Robbie, Kelli, Kris and myself. (Kris has never swung a club before let alone played a full 18 holes although she did beat me and the Kids at crazy golf the other day) Well I thought she did a great job here are some pics - there are videos that I will try and upload soon. Oh and by the way - yes the carts were awesome fun!

Birthday Fun

Thanks to everyone who 'facebooked', emailed, etc with birthday greetings. I had fantastic birthday...albeit very tired-after driving straight through the night from Virginia to Florida! Dean bought me a new digital camera, a few items of clothing, and all the kids made cards.

We stopped in at my brother's house in Orlando to spend some time with him and his kids before we went back. The kids had a great time playing together. We spent time at their complex's pool and later found a park that had a sprinkler and water fountain splash area.

We went out for dinner at Cracker Barrel and later to Coldstone Creamery for Ice Cream. Dean and Sammy were the only ones who could finish there ice cream!

(Abigail and Isabella in the back of Uncle Donnie's convertible!)

We are back in St. Petersburg now, and settling in for the last week.

I must say it is HOT here...but I'm not complaining!!!!!!!!!

US History

We have been visiting my brother JJ and his family in Virginia this weekend. He has recently moved here to start a new position in the US Coast Guard. On Saturday we attended the US Coast Guard picnic day to celebrate the birthday of the Coast Guard. It was fantastic! They really put on a good spread! There was plenty for the kids to do, lots of great food, and the kids even got to watch a CG helicopter land and sit in the helicopter...I'll post some pictures when I can.
Yesterday we attended Capitol Hill Baptist Church. We enjoyed our visit there. (Our new Pastor at Twynholm has just come from this church) After church we did a quick change of clothes and started our hike through the D.C. area. We saw the Capitol Building, ate lunch at the Native American Indian museum, went on a carousel ride, walked through the Air and Space museum, dashed through the 'Dinosaur Museum', went into the Smithsonian to see the Jim Henson - Muppet Exhibit, walked up to the Washington Monument, walked past the White House, then walked to Union Station where we got the Metro back to our car which was parked near CHBC.
We made it back home finally around 8:30 and we were all exhausted!
I will post pictures when I can...I've got to go and get ready for today's excursions!!!

The Florida Aquarium

Today we went to The Florida Aquarium. Despite the threat of thunderstorms we thought we'd chance it because it's a place where you can be indoor - looking at all the great sea life or outdoors- playing in the splash/water area. We were fortunate enough to be able to do both. The kids loved looking at all the sea animals, and petting the stingrays. After some lunch we headed outside and everyone loved playing on the pirate ship and water fountains. Take a look...

Weekend update

This weekend we had an extremely full house! My oldest brother and his two kids came over on Saturday and stayed until Sunday evening. It was great to have the cousins together. Abby and Izzy are a year apart, and Sam and Zander had a great time together too. We went to Ft. Desoto beach for a cookout on Saturday, had pancakes for breakfast Sunday morning before church, after church the guys went to the local 'pitch and putt' and the girls did some crafty projects. We all went out for lunch then a bunch of them hit the pool to cool off in the afternoon.

Today it was raining, so we did some more 'essential' shopping, and rewarded the kids with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese in the afternoon. The evening was lovely so we went for a walk and then the English had to cool off again in the pool!

Aleah at Chuck E. Cheese - she was SO happy to be able to give Barney a cuddle!

Pictures!

Here are some pictures of Disney and a few others. You can check out more pictures on my sister-in-law's website (The Bates Family - Robbie).

The Dryden family infront of Cinderella's Castle.
Samuel eating his very favourite cereal...Fruit Loops!
Abigail driving the Jungle River Cruise Boat at Disney.
Strike a Pose! Abigail on the carousel @ Disney.
Sam on the carousel.

Aleah sitting on Minnie Mouse's chair.

Dean and Aleah after the Dumbo ride.

Today is a bit quiter. Dean went to the Library for the day to work on an Essay that he has to resubmit in September. The kids, Grandma, and I went to visit my Grandmother (Grandma Charlotte) who was a little overwhelmed with all the little ones and was amazed that we had to come on an aeroplane to visit her. (Bless her!)

Grandma has taken Abby and Sammy to the bookstore and Aleah is having her nap.

Grandma Charlotte with some of the Gr. Grandchildren. (Avonlea is the little girl in yellow)