Another trip to Florida

Sometimes there's a few day period where lots of fun gets crammed in all at once and you just feel like you need to be there for it. This past weekend, in Florida, was one of those time periods. When you take into account that Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Shannon are in the US with baby Rebeka for the first time,  a good friend had a "home" football game that I wanted to see, there was a trip to the pumpkin patch planned, Mace was getting Dedicated, and it was Olivia's birthday all at the same time, it seemed like a really good reason to head south. So, early Friday morning, the kids and I did!

We met up with friends on Friday, visited with them, had a chaotic dinner with Grannie and Poppa, and then went to a ball game - all after driving to FL - and while it was a super fun day, I didn't take a single picture :( But it was still fun and we were so glad to get to visit with so many people in one day!

and the we went to yellow GiGi and Poppa's….where Saturday morning we officially got to meet Rebeka!  Rebeka was born in May but because it was in Prague, we haven't been able to get our hands on her until this past weekend. 

Cadence was immediately in love with her - and so was her Aunt Ashleigh :)

We packed up and went over to Hunsaders - a pretty fun pumpkin patch in Bradenton. 

The boys were scoping out the pony rides before it was their turn. Creed opted out of a ride (no surprise there) but the others took a go at it. 

Uncle Luke made it lots of fun for Caleb, Cadence is plenty big to ride a horse by herself, 

                          

Olivia didn't enjoy the horse so much…..

and then after their ride, everyone watched Mace take a turn!

After pony rides, the kids took some time to figure out the hay bale maze!

I love that Shaun makes his own path to get around….

and that Olivia was so excited when she found her way out!

Grammie/GiGi and some of her babies :)

Then Cousin Addie met up with us so we tried again to get a picture with all of ours and her too…..

this was the best I got…..

These 2 are going to be so much fun as they get older, I just know it!

we watched a motorcycle show 

and I was so grateful for Uncles who made it easier for the boys to see the show

Popcorn is a great snack, as was cold lemonade, kettle corn, hot dogs, and the snacks that GiGi had packed to bring :) 

and this picture isn't great but I just so loved that all the cousins were playing together in Mace's room that I wanted it documented. We have waited a long time and prayed a lot that there would be a room in Aunt April's house that would be fun for kids to play in and God has certainly answered that prayer!!

Speaking of, another part of the weekend was Mace's dedication service. It was actually a lot of kids Dedication :) but we were there for Mace!!  and afterward, this is the family shot of all of us who were there for the event. He certainly doesn't lack for people to love him!  I love to think of how creatively and perfectly our extended family has been put together…we are so thrilled to be a part of a journey where God is redeeming orphans and rewriting stories in ways that only He can.