Toler Tales

Monday, October 03, 2011

Vacation Bible Camp

The last week of of July we did camp! This is the 2nd year we've done this and the kids LOVE it! At Haymarket Baptist Church the kids had the theme this year of NYC Big Apple. Ashley's teacher is great. She's a nurse at HEathcoate Hospital and has helped us in the past at the ER. This is also the 2nd year that Austin has given out 2 Book of Mormons. Way to be a missionary buddy!

Cafe Rio!

At the end of July, something glorious came to Manassas, VA. Cafe Rio is here in VA!! Only 20 minutes away too! Pork Barbacoa salad. YUM. My fav. Ashley lost her 3rd tooth this week too! Ash loves a little neighborhood girl Avery. I also made a lemon pound cake for a neighbor that just had a baby girl. Made a cake for ourself too. Delish!

Back to VA

Once we were back mid July, I got back and my dear friend Ginger was getting ready to move to Germany. We had a farewell BBQ at Rady Park. Ginger has been here the past 4 years and it has been wonderful. She's a close friend and it was so nice to do kid swaps. They are a wonderful family and will do great going to back Germany! I miss you Ginger. Always will.

Last Stop, Charleston

So after an awesome week in FL, we drove north 95 and stopped in Charleston on our way back for one last stop before heading home after our month long vacay. We stopped at Newtons Blueberry farm and picked up 10lbs of blueberries. YUM! We also enjoyed DQ blizzards and Dad's steaks/mushrooms/baked potato dinner. And of course cheese eggs and bacon for breakfast! Nothing like southern food. Or the weight I gained on vacation this month! It was all well worth it.

Happy 65th Birthday Mom!

My mom is incredible. She's lost over 90 lbs dieting this year! She has incredible willpower. She has shown me what a strong, lady she is. On top of all the other talent she has, she's dedicated. To whatever she puts her mind to. I knew this growing up as well when she started her own landscaping business that skyrocketed in Dallas, TX. She still had the time to volunteer at our schools, 4 kids under 8, brownie leader, RS Presidency, involved in all 4 of our extra-curricular activities. All the while she was so kind and loving to everyone she knows. A great friend to everyone you met. You are an example to me mom!

In FL we love to eat at Dad's sushi restaurant, visit Lake Alice and see any Gators, eat Blue Bell Homemade vanilla ice cream, NY pizza (yes in Gainesville, FL) but this one little join makes the best stromboli's EVER! The kids love the Happy dog, and playing games. I helped out this week by helping mom organize about 25 years worth of scrapbook pictures and put them all into their scrapbooks! Phew!

4th of July in Florida

So this summer started with the last day of school, June 17. Then OBX LaBarbera vacay 18-25, Myrtle Beach vacay June 25-July 1, then our anniversary, Grandpa's birthday, then Duane left to go back to Baghdad for his last 6 weeks out there. I then didn't want to end the party there! So I drove to Gainesville Florida to surprise my parents! SURPRISE for the 4th of July weekend and Mom's 65th birthday.