Fair, Fish, and Family

It's been over a week now since we returned home from our trip to Mexico.  Here is a little look at some of the things we have done since we got back.

We returned home on Friday night.  I spent most all of Saturday unpacking and washing clothes.  On Saturday night we went to a local fair that takes place here each year.  It is hosted by the Brookhaven Exchange Club.  It has been going on for over 30 years but it was our first time to go.

the boys ready for a fun night at the fair

our first stop was to purchase arm bands and then they got busy riding rides

Wheee!!!

they really enjoyed the rides

There was a Gideon walking around handing out little blue New Testaments.  The boys didn't know what they were.  When Cruz noticed all the people holding them in their hands he asked me "why is everyone carrying around their passports?"  Maybe he has been traveling a little too much lately. 

snowcones

cotton candy

riding the big ferris wheel

To end an already fun night there was a great fireworks show.  I love fireworks!

On Sunday morning we went to church with my mom at Shady Grove Baptist in Hazlehurst.  After church we went out to lunch at Cracker Barrel in Brookhaven.

Mimi and the boys

My mom has been promising the boys a fish since before we came to the States.  We waited to get them until after our July travels. On Sunday afternoon we visited a local pet store and let them pick one out.  We went to get one fish but as you can see we came home with two.

Cruz named his fish Charlie and Ben named his Lucy.  Ben's fish is very calm and likes to stay in one spot most of the time.  Cruz's fish never stops moving.  They could not have picked fish that match their personalities any better.

David helping the boys set up their fish tank

their first pets

My mom will keep them for us when we have long travels.  She will also be taking them in when we return to Guatemala. 

Cruz dressed in his daddy's church clothes on Sunday evening.

We started back to school on Tuesday.  This was a message I found on my dry erase board on Wednesday morning.  It was left by Cruz.  So far we are off to a great start.

On Wednesday night we attended church at Central Baptist in Brookhaven.  They were having a back to school celebration called the blessing of the backpacks.  During the prayer meeting all the children marched in with their backpacks on and gathered down front.  The pastor talked with them, shared the following challenge with them, and prayed over them.  Afterwards the kids had pizza and ice cream.  What a great way to kick off the new year.

This is what the pastor shared with the kids.  At the end each child was given a 20 oz. 7 Up with this card attached to it.  What a cute idea!

We went to visit David's mom on Thursday afternoon and the boys enjoyed getting to play with their cousin Larsen.

On Thursday evening we picked up a pizza and headed back to the lake for a picnic and more fishing.  My mom, brother, and Mr. Thurman joined us. 

my mom and the boys feeding the ducks at the lake

David showing the boys a fish he caught

He also caught a soft shell turtle

Cruz and Mimi

a beautiful view over the lake

When we were done fishing we went back to my mom's house and baked cookies.  We had one more day of school left in the week before starting a fun-filled weekend.  I'll share photos of that in my next post.