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Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Hello, Xanga friends!! I am woefully behind on my Xanga site, partly because of our crazy. busy schedule, and partly because my camera has been out of battery and I hate to post without pictures!! Now I must tell how special our summer was. First of all, it flew by TOO QUICKLY!!!!
Leah shot some photos of David, Lina and their baby due in December. Doesn't she look beautiful?!

We helped my parents celebrate their 61st Anniversary in August. They are such a precious example of love and faithfulness! Here we are celebrating my Mom's birthday which is a day before their anniversary. Isn't she beautiful?!

G'mom and G'dad with the kids

My parents at their anniversary celebration....still in love after 61 years!

Me and my hubby....still in love after 32 years!!

Leah with Grandmom and Grand-dad

My sister, Sue and her husband, Steve

Leah looking beautiful at my parent's place

Happy 61st Anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!!!

A few days later Rebekah flew home from China where she had been working at Bring Me Hope orphan camps.
Rebekah with one of her orphans from her first week of camps.

Here she is with her precious Tian Xi, "her little boy" during the second week of camps!

Here we are "patiently" awaiting Rebekah's flight which was, of course, delayed!!

Joyful greetings at the Birmingham airport!!

Still a Daddy's girl!!

Rebekah and Leah in Connersville, IN

We spent a week in Wilmington, NC, our home of 19 years! Happy memories!!!!
My boys!

Wrightsville Beach pier

Me and my sweetie!

We always celebrate Rebekah's birthday a bit early...before she returns to Taiwan

After 2 short weeks, it was time for Rebekah to fly back to Taiwan. Unfortunately, she had to fly out of Birmingham, AL and we were in revival in Connersville, IN. So, Rebekah, Leah and Jonathan rented a car and drove home so that Bekah could pack, then drove on to Birmingham for her flight. Here are a few pictures of their road trip. Sibling fun!!

David and Lina called on their way home to tell us "It's a girl!!!"

Can you believe that we're having a grand-daughter??!! That's what Gilleys need......girls!!!!
More sad good-byes at the Birmingham airport

Last looks

Fall came before I was ready, but ready or not, it's here!! I'll try to do better keeping up with my Xanga!! HAPPY FALL!!!!

Friday, 31 July 2009

Our 32nd Anniversary

Where does time go??? I cannot believe that it has been 32 years since our wonderful wedding day!! God has blessed us so, and we thank Him and know that He is the One Who brought us together!! Yesterday we went out for a lunch date to Olive Garden, one of our favorite places!

After lunch we came home to celebrate with the kids! Leah took more pictures. Feel free to scroll past if you are bored!!

Just as we were getting ready to open a gift from Leah, the doorbell rang! It was the florist!! Was I surprised!!

Aren't these yellow roses beautiful?!
A hug for my hubby!!

I love this face!! He is the sweetest!

Finally....the gift from Leah!!

I'll try to put up pictures of it. It was SO special!!
Havre de Grace, MD

During our trip to PA we enjoyed a leisurely day at Havre de Grace, MD. This historic place is right on the Chesapeake Bay and has a wonderful boardwalk all along the Bay!

The family on the boardwalk

This was a fancy hotel back in the 1920's

A lovely little lighthouse

I love this style of home...so quaint

Me and my sweetie!!

The family at the bandstand

A beautiful ending to a wonderful day!

Saturday, 18 July 2009

Pennsylvania

As always, I enjoyed our annual trip to Nottingham, PA!! I go crazy taking pictures of the gorgeous Amish farms! Here are a few pictures from the week.

This is the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, a GREAT place to eat!! The church took the missionary families out to this restaurant and shopping afterward, much to the women's delight!

Here is our family with another missionary family enjoying the great food

The lobby is really beautiful! Here are Joseph, Leah and Jonathan

The gift shop downstairs is one of the best parts!! A woman's paradise!!

Am Amish buggy outside the restaurant

I LOVE these farms!

After lunch we loaded up and they drove us to a shopping / tourist area... lots of quaint little shops!

I couldn't resist a picture of these two little cuties!

The boys got tired of shopping and sat to listen to these men playing the guitar and banjo!

Rick with the Gingerbread man!!

Can you see the Amish man plowing behind a team of horses?

Each farm has a LONG clothes line from house to barn!

I loved this little Mennonite School house!

Joseph, Jonathan, and Benjamin playing at the Camp Meeting

Pastor Gary Moore moderating the Camp Meeting
He is a blessing!!

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Joshua's 12th Birthday!

It's so hard for me to believe that my "baby" is now 12 years old!!! Where has time gone?? It is flying by!! We had the greatest 4 days at home to celebrate his birthday! The night before, we "kidnapped" him... blindfolded him...

and went for a "family fun"!

It was a great surprise!!

It was all the more special because David and Lina met us there!

Here is the beautiful "golf pro"!

The REAL golf pro!

Jon enjoying the night

Why is Putt Putt SO embarrassing?! (But srill fun!)

Joseph

Benjamin showing us how it is done!

Sweet Sis-in-laws!

Success!!

King of the Mountain! (Boys never really grow up!!)

It was the perfect night for a family fun!!

FINALLY...pictures of the actual birthday!!
The gifts are waiting

The cake...decorated like a golf course

Josh's birthday chart

Ready for the gifts!

Joshua and Leah

Joshua and Jonathan

Isabelle enjoys the party!

Some great new books from Grandmom and Grand-dad

This one is a little blurry, but I loved the subjects!!

The favorite gift!!

David and Lina enjoying the fun! Leah taking pictures as usual!

Blowing out 12 candles

Joshua and me!

It was a great day!!! Joshua is a blessing to us all!