Family Photos at Pineapple House

Five years ago, only a few weeks before we moved from The Farmhouse, our friends Frances and Gary gave us a beautiful gift: a series of family photos in the place where we had lived for so long, the home of so many memories. (You can see the photos ~here~.)

We had hoped to get some family photos at Pineapple House one day. 

And a couple of weeks ago, that day came! It was the right time of year (not too hot, not too cold, lots of green and things in bloom) and, since Kati and her family were visiting, we were all in one place at one time! I talked with Frances to see if she was willing and able to come . . . and she was! (Thank you, Frances!) We had a narrow window of time that day . . . after church and before a couple of the grands had a choir obligation. 

I could not be happier with how these photos turned out! I am delighted that we have a record of this moment in time and in the evolution of our family. 

This "real" moment is one of my favorite shots!

Zooming in on the moment . . . 

I love this photo of our "original" family. 

Frances also took some shots of each of our children's families.

Our oldest daughter, Kristin, and her beautiful* family.

Back row, l to r: Alaine (10), Owen (14), Maddie (16), Gavin (18), Ben (12)
Front row, l to r: Brian with Judah (2), Kristin, Macie (5)

Our son Ryan and his beautiful* family.

Back row, l to r: Paul (6), Peter (10), Eve (13), Nora (12)
Front row, l to r: Sarah with Joanna (6 weeks), Ryan with Baby K (1)

Our middle daughter, Kati, with her beautiful family.
*(Yes, I know I have used the word "beautiful to describe each family! They are!)

Andrew holding Caleb (1), Kati with Baby Ellie growing within

I also love this photo of Ron and me with all of our grandchildren! Each one has my heart!

Such sweetness!
(Okay, maybe all of the shots are my favorite!)

I'm going to end with an Amy Carmichael poem that I have shared before . . . 

O Love Divine, if we can see

In our beloved so dear a grace,

When Love unveils, what will it be

To see Thee face to face? 

 

(Think of it! If we see such beauty when we look at our dear ones, how awesome and beautiful it will be to see His face!)

A Baby Shower For Kati

While Kati was visiting last week, the ladies of our family gathered to celebrate her new baby girl who will be arriving this summer! 

Last year, we had planned a bigger shower with friends and extended family as Kati was expecting her first baby. The shower date was March 22, and we all know what happened that week. The trip was cancelled, the shower was cancelled, and we all retreated into our homes. So disappointing! 

Fourteen months later, Kati is expecting her second baby, she and Andrew were able to travel to Maryland, and we planned a baby shower brunch to celebrate! 

CHILDREN'S  BOOKS  had been the theme of the cancelled shower and since we had saved some of the decorations, we just added a little pink to the mix and kept the theme. Kati and Andrew are both readers, and we're certain that their children will be too!

We decorated the cupcakes with tiny "book" picks, and scattered a few favorite children's books around the room. Peter Rabbit napkins and a cheerful balloon banner completed the look.  

Our brunch menu was similar to the one we had at our "Little Cutie" baby shower in March, which was similar to the menu of the "All Things Grow With Love" shower a few years ago. (I think I need to come up with a new menu whenever we celebrate the next baby!)  

Kati, our mother-to-be

Joanna, the baby we were celebrating at our last baby shower

Baby K was so content, Aunt Kristin decided to hold her until she wanted to get down,
even if that meant that she was the last one to eat. (That's exactly what it meant.)

(Because of the laws of foster care, Baby K's sweet face cannot be shown.)

We played a game in which we supplied the correct titles to book covers. 
We also guessed the number of Hershey's kisses in a glass vase (Guess How Much I Love You), 

but I neglected to get a picture of that.

It appears that we are also playing "Pass Joanna Around the Room."
Can you blame us?

Macie was our "gift fairy" again.

Eve (13) made this beautiful quilt for Eleanor Grace!

Caleb woke up from his morning nap and Andrew brought him in to join the party.

And he had a birthday present to open!

Watching Papa do yard work.

It was such a joy to celebrate this coming blessing!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

A New Family Photo

 

The past eight days were filled with family gatherings and baby holding and shared meals and music and coffee runs and lots of chatting and people in every room and laughter. 

It was wonderful! 

I'll be back next week to share some details. In the meantime, I'm sharing this treasure from our friend Frances, a current photo of our growing family!