Thursday, March 31, 2011

Surprise! It's your 16th birthday!

Stacked directly against our return for Perdido Key, our older kids, friends and relatives did a terrific job of getting things ready for Mariah's suprise 16th birthday celebration. Is was hectic, but it was an amazing event for her. In the morning she got her driver's license, and after a made-up trip to Target with mom, she returned to a house bursting with well wishers (forty-plus as best I could tell). She didn't have a clue and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Thank you to every one who came to wish her well, and a second thank you to all that helped with decorations, food and cake! A video highlight is posted below. Find additional photos posted here.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Beach, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Although the crew was smaller this year, we are once again thankful to spend some time on God's shoreline, Perdido Key. This was our 11th spring break in the area as best I can recall, and we were thankful to see that ill effects of last year's BP oil spill were no where to be found (although FEMA crews still regularly patrol the beaches). The area also seems to have now fully recovered from the devastating Hurricane Ivan of September 2004. Surpisingly, with spring break already concluded for regional universities, things were very quiet on the Key. No lines, sparse traffic, it was great! Best of all, record setting warmth greeted us every day but one, with sunny highs nearing 80 degrees day after day. Never seen such great weather. Thank you Lord. Nothing too exciting, but I've posted three short videos below. Find additional photos posted here.




Saturday, March 19, 2011

State Champions!

Our Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs pulled-off a historic tournament surge to win the Class A Minnesota State High School Girls Basketball Championship. It was a memory of a lifetime for these girls, Coach Hammond, his assistants and the entire Maranatha family. Cool thing, our Mariah is a student manager for the team, and she got to be a central part of this amazing ride. God was given the glory over, and over by this wonderful school that we call home. We are so proud of you!

MCA Winners! Final Seconds