Vacation, part 1

Our family took a vacation to North Carolina, with a few stops along the way.  It has been a while since we've been to NC as a family, so it was good to see family & friends.  But before we left town, we had an early birthday dinner to celebrate our dear friend, Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn  has become a part of our family whom we all love so much.  She has been a great friend to each of us & most importantly, a sister in Christ who encourages us in our faith.

Dessert with Kaitlyn

Jared & Kaitlyn joined us by a night around our firepit.

Brook also had a choir performance at church right before we left for our trip. 

She did a great job with her singing part. 

Our family stopped by MTW's office outside of Atlanta

We were able to meet with Stephanie, who was Isabella's small group leader from our church.  She & her family just moved to Greenville, SC.

Isabella, Mammie, & Brook all got pedicures

Isabella with her newest cousin, Fiona

Brook & Fiona

We were able to have dinner with some dear friends who now live in Winston Salem that we met right after we were married & moved to NC.  It was great being back with Sandy & her family.  I also got the chance to spend a few hours with some other sweet friends, but didn't get a picture of Gwen & her girls.  It is great to reconnect with so many people dear to us in NC.  

This was our first home & where we were living when Isabella was born.  

And this is a side view picture of the hospital in Concord, NC where Isabella was born.  We try to go by there when we are in town.  

Fiona & I

Fiona Bridges

We attended a crawfish boil at Avery's parents house.  Good for the Louisiana crowd.  

We went to a dress fitting for Avery's sister who is getting married later this year.  Isabella posed by a dress she liked!

We stayed with Avery's sister & her family in Ft. Mill, SC.  The girls, our nephew, Gavin, & Avery celebrated William & Kate's 2nd Wedding Anniversary by having tea.  Isabella also wore her Will & Kate earrings!

Avery on a bike ride

Here I am with one of my dearest friends, Heidi.  She is such an encouragement & mentor to me.  I am thankful for her friendship & we love catching up when I come into town.  

It was a great trip, but there will be more to come in a second post of our vacation to the Carolinas!

Week in Review, with a little throwback in time

So many little things are keeping us busy, that recently, this is becoming a blog of our weeks in review! I am always amazed at how fast time will go by when you are just living life.  Here are some photos from our last two weeks in review.......

Dog bath for Beckham

Oh Beckham

Playing a little game of Spanish dominoes in school

Anna & Brook spending their Friday night with Instagram & Ice Cream

Who got my phone??

The girls before Wednesday night church wearing new dresses they got for our upcoming beach trip!!

After dropping off Isabella early at church, Brook & I had a fancy quick date at Wendy's. Avery was out of town last week, so we had a lot of outings.

IPC Jr. High choir

They did a great job for their spring concert.

Random things I find in my freezer....translation, Brook my experimenter, likes to freeze random things & see what it looks like afterwards.

Spring weather brought about playdates at Shelby Farms park

Here is Isabella with friends at the playground at church

Isabella at church with her friend 

 

I found these old pictures on Isabella's camera.  Here come a few throwback pictures!  This is she & Brook.

And these were found too.  Who are these people with the little baby girl?  New parents.

The young family back in 2001...Avery, Marilyn, & Isabella at home in NC.

Hope you all have a good week & don't forget to check us out at www.bogotabridges.com & follow us there!

Another Blog

Today I want to introduce you to another website & blog.  It is also a website & blog hosted by yours truly.

www.bogotabridges.com

This is a new website to highlight our mission endeavor to Bogota, Colombia.  The website includes information on our family, Bogota, a blog, and also how to participate.   We hope you all will be a part of this with us.  We are excited about this journey & about the website!  There is also a place on the website to sign up for our monthly newsletter.  The first one was just sent out this week.  If you didn't receive one, please go to the website & click to sign up for one.  

I will continue this blog to highlight our family events, & think this will be a good spot for that especially after we move to Bogota.  So, if you haven't already, go check out our new website.  Follow it & let me know what you think!  Thank you all for your support!

Week in Review

We had a good week, although it was a different schedule for us.  Avery was out of town, so the girls & I stayed busier than usual.  We actually got out of the house a little more!  We had lunch & dinner dates most days, which was so fun.  Our week also included our normal routine of church, piano, & tutoring at my sister's school.  We also began going through lots of stuff to sell here, so we were also very productive at home.  Hope your week was good & here are some photos from ours:

Cute, sweet friends over for lunch 

On the only pretty day, the girls took advantage of playing outside...in the mud!  We've had so much rain around here!

At our next lunch date, the girls played around with my phone taking pictures of themselves!

I  am trying to do some Spanish lessons each day.  Help this brain of mind, Lord!

Another picture of my new niece

Isabella & Brook enjoying good pizza from the Trolley Stop in Memphis

It was delicious

Then to end our week, here is the before picture of Isabella....

and here is the after.  She got braces!  She did great & looks very pretty with them.  

Aunt Marilyn

I am an aunt again!  Avery's brother & his wife had their 4th baby this week in North Carolina.  We will be traveling there in a few weeks & we will get to meet her.

I am the very thankful & proud aunt to 8 nieces (one sweet angel who is in heaven now) & 4 nephews.  I love them all so much.

Fiona Paige Bridges