MASTER JAMIE

After a long and tedious program, I finally finished my Masters of Arts in Christian Education. I tried to enforce that everyone must refer to me as "Master Jamie", but I quickly learned that it just wasn't going to happen. Next up for me: REST... then I will be looking into PhD programs. Nikki and Lainey both had to endure long restless nights of studying and papers. They really should have walked across the stage with me.

Pre-Graduation Ceremony

Diploma in hand, what a relief!
I am sure that my Parents were scratching their heads, knowing what kind of student I was in high school. note: they don't refer to me as "Master" either!
My Pastor, Doug Richey

ZOO-ology

Nikki and I took advantage of a gorgeous day and took a day-trip to the good ole Kansas City Zoo. Lainey seems to have developed a fascination with animals so she had a good time. The morning started a little slow.All of the animals must have hit the snooze button a couple of times. The first hour or so all we could see was sleeping animals which made for a rather boring morning, but the longer we were there, the more the animals became active. Lainey didn't really seem to be attracted to one animal over the others, but she does make a very cute monkey sound.

This gorilla and I "tussled" for a little while before he finally had enough and walked away defeated!
Right next to the Elephants read a sign: NO POACHING??? To me it seems obvious that a zoo would be off limits to such activity. I guess we can't assume too much.

FUNNY Story: I've always heard that sheep have to be one of the dumbest animals, but this trip proved that sheep aren't no dummies (pardon the poor use of english). You actually walked through the sheep exhibit and there was a "candy" machine for sheep food. What a brilliant idea I thought, to feed the sheep. So as I placed the quarter in the machine, this brute of a sheep jumped up the post, lifted the cover with his snout and proceeded to lick every last morsel of the food from the machine before I could even get it out. As you can see this one doesn't usually miss a meal OR an opportunity to ruin the opportunity to feed the others. But I finally wrestled the sheep from the machine and was granted the opportunity to feed some of the others.
Lainey enjoyed petting the sheep.
The queen and princess of Arabia on their majestic camel
If I had the opportunity to mount an animal on my fireplace, I think something like this would be my choice. What a friendly, dumb, yet gentle looking beast.Lainey just had too much fun for one day.

One year pics from the Professionals at Portrait Innovations

I ONEder Who Turned One??

As many of you know, our little bundle of joy has turned the BIG one. We enjoyed a great celebration of her birth with many friends and family. The pictures will tell the story, but Lainey loves icing. At first she was very dainty with her cake, then she got the hang of it and plunged into it.

Everyone warns you that time flies, but I will be the first to testify that time more less "warps". It seems nearly impossible that it has been one year since we brought home our little girl. As Nikki and I were reflecting on that day, it is almost funny to think about how little we knew and how much less we know even today. But we love her with all of our heart and not a day goes by that we aren't amazed at the incredible joy she brings to our lives. Anyway, I am sure the pictures are what most of you desire, so enjoy.

Nikki became an expert cake decorator for the big event. And she did an INCREDIBLE job.

AHH. The Masterpiece

The "spread"

Great Food!

Lainey in her Birthday dress

Bring on the "grub"

Luckily, Lainey's attempt to put out the candle with her fingers failed.

mmmm....SUGAR!

All done!

Presents, Presents, and more....Presents

Lainey and Bailey go for a spin in her new wagon

It's hard being ONE!