Seattle

Thanks Emily for a delightful time!

Divide and Conquer

Taylor had plans to travel to Phoenix this weekend for a wedding. It was not in our budget for both of us to go. I was going to have to stay in Beaver Falls and be bored. However, my wonderful husband felt sorry for me. For my birthday, he surprised me with a ticket to Seattle to visit my good friend Emily (he chose to ignore the budget). So Thursday morning, we traveled to the airport together and boarded different planes. Both on our way to a city we love and to see people we adore. We brag on the phone to each other about what we are doing….Taylor is wearing shorts, enjoying 80 degree weather, and playing golf. I am taking in the beauty of Seattle, visiting a new coffee shop every few hours, and enjoying hours of girl talk with a true friend. Though it will be hard to return to Beaver Falls, we are praying that this little break will refresh us and give us new perspective. We also realize that “home” is when we are together, no matter what city we are in. So lots of pictures soon to come from our two different adventures.

"I think America is much like an absent father. We throw money at things. But when it comes to actually participating in the lives of the young in the community and the nation and the world, we really couldn't care less. ... Stop just throwing money at the problem. It's like a cortisone shot for an athlete or like Jack Daniels fora singer when he has had a bad night. It helps temporarily, but it's going to be so much more damaging in the long run. People need to be fed into. Each one of us Americans has a choice to stand out and conquer or sit back in apathy and just stay in our monotonous lives."
-Stephen Christian
Lead Singer of Anberlin

Who Needs Starbucks?

Joanna made these amazing scones from scratch!

Bob Sr.?

Months ago, our sister-in-law Kari emplored us to enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway in hopes that someone in our family would win the amazing custom built WinterPark haven. Since then, we have daily delivered our entries into cyberspace hoping that one of us would get to win the place we would use for family vacation this summer. So, tonight...we sat...anxiously waiting...hoping to get a knock on our door or to at least see one of our beloved family members on T.V. jumping around like we would if we got it. The moment came...........and the moment went. Bob Sr. from Tenessee took it. Bob Sr.? Joanna said he doesn't even like Colorado:) Oh well, back to saving Africa.

Sweet Sweet Sunshine!

It was flip-flops and iced grandes today as God smiled down and said "Happy Birthday Joanna!" The weather was so incredible, the kind that brings memories of days gone by. We did a lot of reminiscing and talking about how much we missed places and people. It would be a long blog if we listed them all. We are looking forward to another warm day tomorrow before it gets cold again for the weekend. The boys are back in Pearce tonight, which means no more peaceful evenings, but it's good to see all of them. 7 weeks left (way short) and we're hoping to finish strong.
THE SPRAGUES

Just Cuz We Miss Them

It's a make-your-own pizza and rootbeer float party!

5 States in 10 Hours

We're back in Pearce tonight. We had such a great time in Iowa this past week and it was very refreshing to be with familiar faces. We realize more and more how great of family we have. Thanks Andy and Jody for your hospitality, thanks boys for your laughs and all of you for your love. You're already missed.
Explanation
We drove from Iowa through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio into Pennsylvania. We didn't realize the title fact until half way through the drive.

The Other Boys Couldn't Be Left Out...

Dawson

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Gabe

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Here's where all the talent is!

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P.S. It's a lot easier to blog when you have kids :)

My Wife the Amazing Aunt

Quincy, the youngest of the Landers boys, is feeling less than his best today. He is a very giving boy though. Early this morning, he gave up whatever was in his stomach to the floor. The only immediate mediator for this is a mommy. Quincy clung to Jody all morning. Unfortunately life doesn't stop even if you have a sick kid. Jody had to take Max to school, so Quincy found his ease in his Aunt Joanna. She took him in her arms and he laid his head on her shoulder as they watched out the window onto great stretches of field. Then it happened. Quincy bestowed his giving upon Joanna. She didn't freak out, she didn't get upset; she held him close and comforted him. Tears welled in his eyes and he laid his head back down in the arms of love. Amazing.
Now the clothes are in the laundry, Quincy is sound asleep, and I am once again reminded of the incredible gift God has given me.

A Little Home Run Derby

"Taylor I've got two words for you..."

The third of four nephews (4 yrs old) came up the stairs out of no where and caught my attention with the above statement. So I humored him and asked Max what the two words were. With all the confidence of a little white skinned baby face said, "Peace Out!" and disappeared back down the stairs.
We suprised Jody (Andy and the boys knew) and have taken over the basement guest room for a little while. It's good to see some familiar faces. Here's to family!

Freedom

Today, we woke up, checked the weather and decided..... TODAY IS THE DAY!!!! It was amazing. No constraints. All that room to spread out and breath. JOY! It represented the promise of spring, hopes of warmer days...sunshine even? It was glorious and we did nothing but soak it in. We Wore Sandals.
I hope the title didn't suggest depth