Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley is a must see if you ever get to Foley, Alabama. There are nearly 300 hundred alligators, from baby to almost 1,000 lbs. and 14 feet long, on this farm. We had a wonderful time learning about this incredibly interesting creature that God created. Did you know that alligators can have up to 3,000 lbs. "crunching" power but their jaws can be taped shut with only a few feet of electrical tape? Or did you know that because they are cold blooded and don't move much they can go for almost a year without eating? We certainly have an amazing Creator!

Chelsy certainly captured the moment with this guy!
My nephew, Ernest, came to see us while we were in Foley and went with us to the alligator farm. Thanks for telling us about Alligator Alley, Ernest.
My daughters are a bit braver than their mother.

We had a lovely walk on the boardwalk where we could observe the alligators and also see their food-turtles.

As a grand finale to our day, these 5 brave children (yes, that little girl is mine and she is holding the snake!!!) had the "privilege" of holding a python. They would have had their picture taken with the snake wrapped around their neck but someone said "NO!".

"And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25

/

Family Vacation

We have just returned from a very enjoyable 6 day singing tour/vacation in Missouri and Alabama. Originally we were planning to sing 3 times and then spend the weekend with my family in FLA, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, the reunion was cancelled so we ended up with 3 free days in between singing engagements. Pastor and Mrs. Wilde from Foley, AL graciously offered that we could stay an extra 2 days in their "Prophet's Chamber" just 10 miles from a beautiful, white, sandy beach. The only major outings were to the beach and to "Alligator Alley" (another post!). We had ample time to relax, read and play with the little children, play games, and talk. This is a vacation that will go down in history as a favorite. Thanks again to the wonderful church family from "New Life in Christ" in Foley. We were so blessed with your gracious LA (Lower Alabama) hospitality and your warm welcome.

The children loved the extra attention from daddy during this vacation. They built some interesting creations with the sand.

Hudson just couldn't get enough of the sand!

Even Rebecca got a little bit of sunshine.

Elizabeth

Denver

All 10 of our arrows lined up for this picture.

And this is what happens at the end of a day at the beach!

Father/Daughter Retreat 2008

With the "best-est" Daddy in the whole wide world! Allison and I had the privelege of attending a Father/Daughter retreat with our Father on April 11th-13th, 2008. The retreat was held at the beautiful Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. We drove down with 5 other fathers and their 11 daughters. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to our father for spending this precious time with us!
~Sisters and best friends~

Beautiful butterflys at the Callaway Gardens.

God's creation is so spectacular!

A peaceful waterfall

Enjoying time together

New friends we met at the high tea on Saturday

Chelsy, April, Sarah, Allison, & Emily on a bridge at the garden.

With new friends at the high tea.

"Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou are God."

Psalm 90:1&2

Daddy

Happy (belated) 41st Birthday, Daddy!
We gave him 41 gifts!

I think his favorite gifts were the snacks. :) (here he is opening the cashew clusters Allison made for him)

And here are a few things about our Daddy that you might not know.....

*His favorite restaurant is Carlos O' Kellys

*His favorite snack is chocolate nut clusters and peanut m&m trail mix.

*His favorite meal is taco salad

*His favorite "mode of relaxation" is reading.

*His favorite speaker is Voddie Baucham

*Choice vacation spot would be Switzerland w/ Mother. :)

*Favorite book~the Bible

*His hobby is combining. (which he gets to do every fall for about a month)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We love you Daddy! Happy Birthday!

"O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."

Isaiah 25:1