VBS 2009

We have been busy this past week helping with our church's Vacation Bible School. Last year was Merrin's very first VBS as well as my first time being on the "teaching" side of things. I thoroughly enjoyed helping out last year and had been looking forward to this year's VBS for some time. I can't believe it has now already come and gone...Merrin and I had a blast. This year was an Australian theme called "Boomerang Express". I was paired with a wonderful teacher, Adria, in the 2nd grade glass room and although I was of little help to her other than "crowd control" we somehow made it through the week unscathed. A huge kudos to Adria for being such an amazing teacher, she really does have a gift. Merrin was a little apprehensive for the first few days but by the end of the week, "Bible school" was all she could talk about. Some of you may remember from last year but at our VBS we have "theme days" such as "crazy hair day", "funny hat day", etc. Merrin and I enjoyed coming up with inventive ideas for each day. All in all it was a wonderful week as we watched young boys and girls make their profession of faith. God is so good! Below are some pics from this past week.

Noah and Merrin walking hand in hand into VBS

Merrin's classroomElliott's classroom with his teacher Ms. Barbara and girlfriend CamilleAdria and me in our 2nd grade classroom (obviously on crazy hair day)
Merrin's hair for "crazy hair day"

Elliott's hair on "crazy hair day"...shhh, don't tell his father!!!

Merrin on "funny hat day"

Merrin and Elliott on "favorite sports team day"

Father's Day...one year ago

So one year ago today was an exciting Father's Day for Keith and I don't think I ever posted the pictures from it but I think it was too special of a day and too cute not to share so here goes...
Last year I found out I was pregnant with Elliott the Sunday before Father's Day and although I am not very good at keeping secrets I decided that I would wait and tell Keith our exciting news on Father's Day. It was EXTREMELY hard to keep that little secret to myself for an entire week but somehow I managed because as the pictures show, he was totally surprised! I decided to wrap up the positive pregnancy tests (I took multiple because for some reason I didn't believe just one) and let Keith open it thinking it was a typical Father's Day gift like a new tie or picture mouse pad, etc. I think I can speak for Keith in saying that it was one of his favorite Father's Day gifts and I can definitely guarantee that this year he won't receive anything quite as special.
Click HERE to view the pictures from last year...but I have to preface them by saying the cake I made for Keith last year was pitiful looking because the icing was too thin and did not want to stay on the cake and also...Merrin looked like a redneck baby (i.e. sporting nothing but a diaper) because she had been playing in her outside pool.

4 Months Old

ABC's

Merrin singing her ABC's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC79S5_kE5E

Adventures in the attic

Merrin and I ventured into the attic the week before last to pull out all the old toys that she had grown out of and believe it or not, Elliott is now ready for! Can it be possible that my little boy is growing so fast? See for yourself...

A good deal

Not sure how many of you live close to a Lifeway bookstore but Merrin and I found a great deal this morning while out searching for VBS decorations. Click on the below website...

http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/hermie.asp?cid=lws_featbanner_sillyfight

We got two DVD's for the sale price of one at $7.49. These are the Hermie DVD's by Max Lucado and they are very cute! Merrin first watched one at her cousin Noah's house and so when I saw these at such a good deal I couldn't pass them by...plus Merrin is starting to love TV and DVD's way more than I'm willing to admit and I feel better about her watching a wholesome biblical lesson than oh, say my copy of Shrek which she wanted to watch the other day...man, I forgot of the language in that movie...most of which I definitely don't want my two year old shouting around the house!

I wanna hold your hand

Merrin can't seem to get enough of little Elliott and recently I caught Merrin holding Elliott's hand. It was too sweet. I had laid Elliott in the floor for a few seconds while I was getting dressed and the next thing I knew, Merrin had gone into her room, gotten her pillow and put it beside Elliott so she could lay down with him. I think I embarrassed her when she realized I was watching her as you can see on the video...

5 Years and counting

Today Keith and I have been married for five whole years! Its amazing how it feels like it was only yesterday when we said those precious vows but oh how our lives have changed, for the better I hope! Some of you may remember my blog post from last year and even in just one more year Keith and I have experienced new and exciting things. Since our fourth wedding anniversary Keith and I took a trip to Paris, did some renovations on the house, celebrated our baby girl's second birthday, celebrated another milestone birthday which I won't take the time to elaborate as its much too depressing...and most importantly we've brought another Gunter man into this world (as if we didn't have enough...you Gunners know what I'm talking about!). I am terribly lucky to be married to Keith and I can't wait to see what the next year will bring. I LOVE YOU KEITH!! I'll leave you all with a few pictures of a younger Keith & Bethany...in their twenties!

On our honeymoon at the Grove Park Inn

Crossing the threshold at our first home in Grand Cayman