Fun with the Flints in Washington!

We just got back from a wonderful visit with our good friends Jeff and Bethany Flint in Bellingham, Washington! They have a 21-month-old son, Micah, who was such a good friend to Katelyn while we were there too! For those of you who don't know, Bethany was my college roommate and one of my closest friends. We figured out that each time I have visited Washington, we have been in different stages of life. The first time I visited, she and Jeff were engaged, and she was living in a "dorm house." The next visit, she and Jeff were married and living in a little apartment. The next visit, Dave and I were married and went together, and the Flints had moved into a house of their own! This most recent visit, they were living in the same house and we each had a little one! My how things change! The only thing that hasn't changed is what dear friends the Flints are to our family!

A few highlights from our trip:

• We went to a pumpkin patch and apple orchard. We took a hayride out to the pumpkins, and next to the patch of pumpkins was an apple orchard where we picked apples right off the tree and ate them...and didn't even get sick!!! Our experience was complete with homeade apple cider and caramel apple pie!! We also bought two pumpkins and made loads of pumpkin bread with them!

• Since Katelyn and Micah woke up, napped, bathed (!!), and went to bed at the same time, we had a pretty good schedule each day of pre-nap, during nap, and post nap activities. Now you may be wondering, "What in the world can you do during a nap?" Well, while the guys lounged at home with the sleeping kids, Bethany and I had "girly errand time!" We would go do little things that needed/wanted to be done...mostly shopping related!

• Bethany and I went out for coffee one night, just the two of us, and caught up!
  

• Our last night there, we got a sitter and all went out to a nice dinner!

• We got to hear Jeff preach at First Baptist Church-Bellingham where he is the head pastor. He and Bethany also sing in the praise team! What a pair they are! It was a real treat that we got to be there on Pastor Appreciation Sunday because the church planned a surprise reception for them! We loved seeing them loved by so many people!

• Dave and Jeff played an awesome round of frisbee golf one morning!

• Katelyn and Micah played so sweetly together! Each morning when Micah woke up and came out of his room, we heard him saying, "Kate-in! Kate-in!" When she heard his voice, she would get really excited too! They also played a lot together in the playroom!
  

Katelyn enjoying the pumpkin patch

Katelyn and Micah reading in the playroom together

Kristen and Bethany

Katelyn swinging in the Flint's backyard

Dave and Jeff pause for a picture during their frisbee golf game

McCurdys and Flints pose for a picture after church

Double date!

Fun at the State Fair and Pumpkin Patch!

What a fun past few days we have had!! Last Thursday, my sister Brittany took the day off work and she went with me and Katelyn to the State Fair of Texas!! We had fun watching a dog show, walking through the petting zoo (including zebras, camels, and giraffes!), eating corndogs and funnel cakes, and looking at crafts! We even saw one sweet lady win a blue ribbon for her peach cobbler recipe! She was so excited and in such disbelief, we seriously thought she was going to pass out!! Too bad they didn't have samples of that cobbler for curious onlookers!

At the petting zoo....I realized that I didn't know what half of those "exotic" animals were, so I just kept saying, "Katelyn, look at the animal!"

One of the show dogs licking Katelyn's face after the performance! Katelyn loved it (both the show and the licking!)

Kristen, Katelyn, and Brittany enjoying the state fair!

We also went to a really fun pumpkin patch today with my dad (Pee Paw) and his good friend John! My dad was able to take some time off work this week and come up to Dallas with my mom who has a business conference to attend. So...while she was in meetings all day, he came to play with us! What a deal! At the pumpkin patch, we went on a hayride, walked through lots of rows of pumpkins, and spent some time letting Katelyn pick out a couple little pumpkins of her own! The weather was perfect, and it was such a fun time! We love you Pee Paw, and we really enjoyed spending time with you today!

Our "lil' punkin" with the pumpkins!

Me, Katelyn, and Pee Paw in the pumpkins!

Katelyn sitting on a carriage with her new little scarecrow friends. She shortly lost interest in her "friends" and began trying to eat the pumpkin she was holding!

Is this a good one mom??

Katelyn carefully picking her pumpkins....so many to choose from!

Katelyn sitting in the wagon inspecting her pumpkin for any flaws...none found! I was nervous she would have "buyer's remorse"...a trait that both her mommy and daddy seem to have!

On the hayride...we were the first ones on and the last ones off! Katelyn really enjoyed looking at the pumpkins as we passed by them and watching the tractor as it pulled us around!

A Very Special Little Girl!

Jordan Flint is the sweet 4-year-old daughter of our friends, Joel and Jodie Flint. Jordan was diagnosed with leukemia on March 26, 2008 and has been undergoing many treatments since. This is an amazing little girl and an amazing family! If you are interested in knowing more about Jordan's story, keeping up to date with her progress, or knowing how to pray for her and her family, click here. Also, "Light the Night," is a walk being held in Frisco,TX on November 1 that will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are interested in donating to "Team Jordan," please visit http://www.active.com/donate/ltnDallas/jodieflint.

On another note, my youngest sister Brittany is walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 18 in Dallas, TX. Any donations she receives will be matched dollar for dollar by her company. If you are interested in supporting her and donating to help in the fight against breast cancer, click here.