Summer, thus far

We have been very busy here at the Neal household. I haven't made any time for blogging, so here are some photos from a few trips we've taken.

At the beginning of June we took a trip to Spokane, Wa.

Evelyn and I at the top of a large wagon at Riverfront Park

Evleyn's first ride at an amusement park. She loved the airplanes.

After a week visiting friends in Wa, we headed down to Oregon and spent a few days with friends there. One day we took a trip out to the beach. The water was very cold and the kids got very sandy. They loved it.

Maeve discovering sand, which we later caught her putting fistfuls of it into her mouth.

At the beginning of July we took a trip up to Tulsa, Ok to visit Gabe's family.

We spent on morning at the aquarium

Popping fireworks on the 4th.

Maeve and Evelyn were both a bit distressed by the loud sounds of the fireworks.

Maeve with her Poppy, Gabe's dad

Evelyn and Gigi

Maeve now has 7 teeth and in the past few days has started walking. She loves eating, following her sister around, and being cuddled.

Evelyn will be 3 in a few months and is growing too fast. Her vocabulary grows everyday and she continues to amaze me with what she says and does. She has become quite the little helper around the house as well.

As most of you know my father passed away on July 4th. He battled cancer for 10 years and we are grateful for the time we had with him. He is no longer in pain. I am also thankful for the outpouring of love and support from all our friends. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people as friends. Tears are starting to emerge so I will stop for now.

Maeve's 1st Birthday

A few weekends ago Gabe took Evelyn fishing at a friends pond. They caught 2 fish. After about 20 mins of fishing, she was done. Gabe had fun while it lasted.

Maeve is now a year old. It is hard to believe a year has passed. She has 4 teeth. Two on the bottom and her two incisors.

Last night we celebrated her birthday with our Bible study. It just happened to be on the same night. After the cupcakes I made a few weeks ago I decided to pay for the convenience of store made ones. I did make the letters to put on top.

Destroying the cupcake.

Sampling the cupcake. Not sure if it is something she wants to eat.

Deciding that it is edible and taste good.

Happy Birthday to Maeve!

It took her a while but she ate most of the cupcake and had a blast getting it all over her.

Happy Early Birthday

Last week we celebrated the all the babies turning 1 in our Bible study, minus one family who couldn't make it because of a sick child. They were all born within a few weeks of each other, some just a few days apart. It turned out to be a wonderful evening to be outside and all the kiddos had a blast except for Maeve who wasn't feeling so well. I think she is finally getting some more teeth.

The cupcakes came about from an idea I saw from www.annies-eats.com. The party was at 5pm, I decided at 2pm to make these. Having never made them before that was not such a good idea to start so late in the day. I think we would have missed the party if not for my friend Bobbi who came over to help make them. I think they turned out super cute.

Maeve decided to cry at her party.

She didn't even want her cupcake. Oh well, more for me!

I needed some thank you cards recently so I decided to make some.

The Last month or so In Pictures

Here are a few pictures of what we've been doing.

I April our photographer took some family photos out in the bluebonnets. More photos are posted on my facebook account.

A few weeks ago we went hiking at Bastrop State park with good friends.

Maeve was not excited about hanging out on my back. Evelyn loved her view, and was not to thrilled about walking when we put her down.

On Mother's day we had Maeve dedicated at church. Here is a family photo after. You can see how excited the kids were. I have a short video of the dedication but am having trouble downloading it. I know the grandparents are anxious to see.

I actually have more photos to share, but my computer tells me my "start up" disc is full and will not allow me to download anything else. When I get all that worked out I'll post more photos.

Maeve is almost walking. She will be 1 in June and just might be walking by then.

A Gabe Post: Self Criticism is Healthy

The video below is a well-played satire on most contemporary evangelical churches. It stings in its honesty. But I think it is healthy to recognize what part of our life is cultural and what part is unchanging. The Gospel is unchanged, the mode of its delivery is cultural. Christ's work on the cross for us is eternal, how we share it can be adapted to the culture in which we present it. I have no problem with social satire as long as the Gospel itself is not watered down.

Enjoy, and then think about what church might look in 10 years, and then ask yourself why you go to church. Is it for the experience or something more eternal?

http://vimeo.com/11501569

Potty Training

Yes! We are finally potting training. Fed up with changing diapers on 2 kids, I was determined to train Evelyn to use the potty. It has been a week now since I sat her on her little potty, put a movie on, gave her a lollipop, and told her not to get up until she went. It took a few lollipops but we finally had success. She has done very well this week. We are so proud of her.

The Zoo

Some friends of our were so kind as to take Evelyn to the zoo with them on Saturday. When she arrived home after her fun filled day, I asked her what animals she saw.

Her response, "A squirrel."