Winslow Weekend:D

Last month we had a wonderful weekend with our dear friends, the Winslows! They were down here in California for the ATI conference and drove down to our area for a couple days to visit!! Our families had tried to get together during conference time, the past two years, but it had never actually happened. So, as you can imagine, we were so grateful, in the Lord's timing, to be able to do so this year!!

Group shot-Saturday, we drove down to San Juan Capistrano to visit the Mission for the day-lots of kiddos.......;)

Here we all are, starting the audio tour...it was really funny , we got a kick out of our new "cell-phones".;)

The living quarters of the Mission...

This building was the original sacntuary until it was destroyed by a massive earthquake

Isaiah, Caleb and Joshua 

A model of the original Mission

Mission chapel....

Enjoying visiting!:D

Looking at koi....

We quickly snapped a family picture.:)

Two lovely smiles!:)

The mom's, Lily holding Evie and Abigail-such sweeties!

Similar ages, Joe and Lily, and Tim and Abigail.;)

After the long tour, we were all tired and hungry! We introduced the Winslows to one of our family's favorite, special restaurants: Mexi Casa! We had so much fun visiting over dinner!;)

You get alot of talking with 20 + people...;)

Mama, Mrs. Winslow and the boys sat at one end of our long table...

Everybody squeezed together for a group picture-the guy taking it had to stand on a booth.;)

Chips and salsa while waiting....

Evie had plenty of attention.;) This is the other end of the table-Dad's and girls-little ones in the middle.

The kids had fun trying the different salsas and discussing which they liked better.:P

Outside in the parking lot after a yummy dinner-Grace, Caytlin and little Lily.:)

The mommies talking-we older kids were glad to see them getting a chance to visit, with all the work they do.;)

We spent the rest of the eveining at our home where we enjoyed sundaes and lots more visiting time. It does seem like you never tire of visiting with friends...;) Here Abigail and the boys are playing in the livingroom-pillows and all.;) Most of the younger kids had alot of fun running around outside playing with wooden swords that Daniel made.
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We had to watch the toppings for fast little fingers!

Mr. Winslow scooping the ice cream.....

....while Tarra and I monitored the syrups, Chocolate or Caramel??

Our "night-time" dinning hall.;)

Dad's getting a chance to relax and visit...

(We have two tables on our patio now. The second was given to us just two days before the Winslow's arrived. The Lord's timing is always perfect!. Some friends asked if we happened to want a table they weren't using anymore, and it came in handy for sure during the Winslow's visit!)

Sunday, we all went to church together! That was alot of fun!

Natey and Daniel in the parking lot

Glad you got the memo about the matching shirt!;)

Tarra, Caytlin and I:)

Deciding where to go for lunch....

Caytlin, Lily, and Grace...:)

The Winlslow's really enjoyed meeting the McIntire family!!:D

Winslow van....here Isaiah and Daniel are waiting to go to lunch.

Little Abigail, the baby in the Winslow family, waiting patiently in her car seat!:)

Finally we were off to Souplantation! They don't have them in WA.

Everbody heading into the restaurant....

Mama explaining how it works...;)

Salad bar....

This time we had two long seperate tables.

I think it's safe to say they had a good time..;)

Tarra and I-it was so good to visit!!:D

We split up after lunch and met up later at the hotel pool where the Winslow's were staying. We were very happy to get permission from the hotel to do so!! We spent the rest of the evening swmimming and had all sorts of adventures!;)

Dad's relaxing and watching the swimmers...:)
Pools are special to our families- it reminds us of all the fun we had together at the ATI conferences, where we first met :D

We are very thanful to the Lord for this special time to visit! What a blessing Christian fellowship is! Sometimes, life can get so busy and we get caught up in that busyness without realizing it. It's times like this that God uses to remind us of what is truely important-a relationship with Him and His people!:) Praise the Lord for godly friendships.:)

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,  fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

                                                                                                          Philippians 2:1-5