Mama Gropp Visits

This weekend we had the joy of sharing the weekend with Mom Gropp. We had such a relaxing weekend.

Friday, Mom arrived and we made a delicious dinner of lightly breaded chicken breasts stuffed with goat cheese (basil and green onions too), wild mushroom risotto, and asparagus.

Saturday we packed lunches and went for a 4 mile walk at Pumpkin Hill State Park with Teddy. I expected it to be a wooded and shady walk, however, it was completely open and sandy- like walking on a beach for 4 miles! While it was gorgeous, it was quite hot and tiring on the feet! Teddy enjoyed running off leash for the most part, as he was too hot and tired to run away. In fact, we sometimes had to coerce him out of the bushes to keep walking (he's a northerner at heart).


Saturday evening Mom took us out to dinner for my birthday- we checked out a new restaurant in town and enjoyed the choices very much! I had a Lobster and Gnocchi dish, Mom entertained a few tapas, and Josh got a burger with foie gras

Sunday we went to church and relaxed together.

It was a wonderful weekend of being together :).











At a gazebo about halfway through the walk



Teddy wasn't sure he wanted to leave the gazebo!

(Josh giving teddy water)

(hiding in the bushes)

Homeowners!

Josh and I purchased our first home here in Jacksonville! We feel so blessed. It is a wonderful home and we look forward to the opportunities God has for us to bring glory to His name through it.

Josh's brother and Dad were a great help with the move- Dad kept all of us on task with getting lots of jobs done in a short period of time! Matt was great as well- he deserves the credit for perfectly lining up our outside house numbers! In one weekend the men moved all of our stuff, installed a mailbox post, put on house numbers, hung pictures, arranged furniture, organized the garage, and so much more! We also are so thankful for the help of many great friends here in Jacksonville who helped with the heavy lifting and organizing as well!

Here's the house more or less ready for living :)

Trip to CT

Last week I enjoyed spending a week in CT with my family. It was a great time of fellowship! I was able to visit with both sets of grandparents, my cousin, my Aunt and Uncle from Texas, Mom and Dad Albright, my pastor and his wife, and of course, the immediate family! Mom, Heidi, and I enjoyed a fun day at the Mystic Aquarium Monday. We also enjoyed cooking at home, going out for ice cream, and just hanging around!

Eww....these eels look creepy!

perfectly still baracudas!

can you see the frog?

Seal lion tanning

Mom and I

Sea lion show

Beluga whale

Heids and I after some lobster rolls

Mom and Heids in "Old Mistick Village"