30th Anniversary, A Visit, And A Birthday!:)

Back in September, our church, Faith Baptist, celebrated 30 years as a fellowship! We also used this as an opportunity to thank Pastor Fox for his faithful work in the ministry! The sanctuary was transformed into a "dinner-church" and we had a very special evening!

The children's choir sang that night which was an answer to Mrs. Fox's prayers. We had been working on this song for months and trying to find a time when everyone would be able to participate without someone getting sick or being on vacation. Everything worked out splendidly even though it was last minute, and the song ended up fitting the occasion perfectly!

 After the dinner and brief sermon, everyone helped clean-up and re-set chairs for the following Sunday morning service. This time the chairs were set up with an aisle down the middle, wheras before we had set them with two side aisles. The change was very well received and they have stayed that way since!

 Caytlin and Amy..:)

 Admiring the new lay-out, and visiting...

Of course the Ping-Pong table got pulled out for some more fun....

...and the swings were full!:)

A few weeks after that, it was necessary to have the Fox sisters over for dinner and a movie to celebrate Ashlee's recent passed birthday...;) (Another reason for the girls visit was due to the fact that we had been working on a surprise party for Mommy's upcoming birthday which would be happening the following day! They wouldn't be able to make it but wanted to help out and brought some delicious cookie dough for the occasion. We snuck it inside while Mom was busy and went on with the evening as normal.)

 The little ones sure love these sisters! We really appreciate their cheerful, enthusiastic spirits and genuine love for the Lord and others!

 Grandma also joined us that evening, as she was planning on spending the night-it was a full dining room!

 So you can clearly see which of us are less enthusiastic, before dinner....;)

 Amy really wanted to see Daniel's moose puppet he made while in Alaska this past summer! She enjoyed receiving a "visit" from Norman!

 Washing the dinner dishes with Ashlee and visiting!:) We didn't want to let the "birthday girl" work, but she insisted.;)

 Saying goodnight!

 The next day, Mommy unsuspectingly left for a Dr. appointment for Evie and once she was gone....

...we began to work and set everything up for the party!

 Lindsay (a cousin) helping with the food prep....

 Christina took full charge of the decorations and did a wonderful job! It was such a blessing not to have to worry about that aspect of the party!

 Baking yummy cookies, thanks to Amy!:)

Table settings...it was neat to see how everything came together!

Looking at pictures from Alaska while waiting for the party to start...

 The final set-up! It was better than I could have imagined! The white roses, tulips and orange ones were all gifts from different people were nice touches! The banner in the back was made by Aunt Rocio and added the perfect finish!

Outside on the patio, Caytlin worked setting up the table for the younger girls and preparing games...

Poor Evie was very tired from her appointment but was eager to see her cousins again!

Caytlin and Janelle took charge of the younger girls and they all had a great time using their tea cups and playing games that Caytlin put together.:)

Inside, enjoying lunch with Mommy at the head.:)

The younger girls playing a relay race, balancing a book on their heads! Very challenging!

Pinning the tale on the unicorn and the winner got to keep the poster! Daniel worked hard on this in secret and did a wonderful job!

Some duck, duck goose...:)

And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. 

Deuteronomy 12:7 (ESV)