"Going Bonkers" and More on Spring Break

We finally arrived home from Spring Break last evening at about 8:00 pm. After dropping Aly off around 6 to spend a little time with Papaw, Greg and I then had the chance to check in at a very important meeting on the southside, before we drove into our own driveway a bit after 8 and began to unload the luggage. Aly came home about an hour or two later and after several days away, I can truthfully say it was a joy for us all to be back home again! Trips are always fun, especially if it's for Spring Break, but we all know 'there's no place like home'!!!
Due to the fact that our camera was left at home and never packed, I thought we'd not get a single picture... however, I was wrong! My Father-in-Law provided me with a camera on Saturday and I was able to 'borrow' it for our adventure to "Going Bonkers" Family Fun Center and then again on Sunday! (Thanks, Dad!!!) I wasn't used to a different flash, wasn't sure how to get rid of the red eye, the lighting was 'off' compared to our camera, etc. So, these photos are not of the best quality but, I'm very thankful to have the memories 'on film', as well as in our hearts! We had a great time with family during our 'break', laughed at anything and everything, ate too much, enjoyed the BEAUTIFUL sunshine and all in all wouldn't have traded this trip for the world!
CLICK HERE! http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/GoingBonkersOnSpringBreak09?authkey=Gv1sRgCLj3_a_a7rWLXw&feat=directlink for the details.
HEY! It's March 17th and we all know what that means! It's St. Patrick's Day!!! Here is an Irish Blessing JUST FOR YOU! "May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you."

Happy Happy Happy 2009!!!

Looking back on the months gone by, as a new year starts and an old one ends... We contemplate what brought us joy and we think of (YOU), our loved ones and our friends.
Recalling all the happy times, remembering how they enriched our lives... We reflect upon what really counts, as the fresh and bright New Year arrives.
And when we ponder those who do, we immediately think of you. Thanks for being one of the reasons we'll have a Happy New Year (and we wish you the same, as well)!
By Joanna Fuchs

Fellow Blogger's: Please pray for our family, the economy has 'struck' our home and just this morning Greg lost his job. We are trusting God to replace this job with something even better and that His will will be done through these difficult times! By the way, we will post an entire Holiday Photo Album soon... for now, here is a 'taste' of our Christmas thus far!
~Christmas Morning at Home~Christmas at Great Grandparents in Ohio~Christmas at Great Grandma's in Indiana

Alyson Dawn Turns 1 on October 30th!!!

(To enlarge photo simply 'click' on it.) As you've read in our 'Older Posts', we celebrated Alyson's FIRST Birthday this past Saturday, due to the fact that we'll be in Revival during her actual Birthday.

We had a FABULOUS day, together with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins!!! (Those family members who were unable to make it... we TRULY missed you and you missed a great Party!)

Aly was "Princess" for the day, crown and all, as seen in the picture above. She so enjoyed herself and received MANY beautiful and VERY fun gifts!!! She'll be sending 'Thank You' cards out, as soon as Mommy and Daddy have the time to help her!

We have a slew of photos to look through, edit and post for your viewing, however it may be several days before we can do so! I'm not feeling very well this week... trying to fight off some type of 'Bug', I guess! I tried to rest up for most of the day today. We are to take Aly to the Studio for her 1-Yr. Photography Session tomorrow afternoon... making it impossible to be online all day. Wednesday and Thursday, will find me working at the office and then we're into yet another weekend!

PLUS all of this, we will be in Revival beginning on Wednesday and ending on Sunday night!!! Needless to say, it is very likely to be NEXT week before I'm able to get a Birthday Photo Album posted...

If you think of us this week, please say a prayer for, not only our stress levels but, also pray that the Lord would come in a mighty way and give us the Revival He would have for us? We'll post again and add that Album ASAP! Take care, ya'll!

Home, Home on The Range...

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

FOR OUR LARGEST-TO-DATE

ONLINE PHOTO ALBUM...

OUR ANNIVERSARY TRIP 2008!

(Can you believe that we're still experiencing trouble with our computer, uploading photos, etc.??? So, this is about the best way we can share photos with you for now.)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/OurBelatedAnniversaryTrip2008

We had an incredible weekend... if it just hadn't have gone by so quickly! We began the weekend, on Friday evening, by taking Alyson to attend her first wedding... she did a fine job, too. (Thanks to Uncle Danny and Aunt Ronda for helping out!!!) On Saturday, we stopped by Paradise Cafe' and Bakery for Brunch. After arriving at our destination and before we could 'pick up our keys', we did a little shopping. We then went to see our Room for the weekend... it was BEAUTIFUL! (Thanks to Mama and Daddy for such a sweet Anniversary gift!!!) Some day we would love to have an old fixed-up house with antiques similar to the ones at the Inn! For an early Supper, we had yummy BBQ with all the fixins at "Trolly's" (AKA: "The Trolly"). This, followed by wonderful Hor Dourves at the Inn (provided every day in the late afternoon/early evening). Later that evening, we attended a light family comedy Play downtown and were able to get some good laughs in (following the Dessert Bar at the Inn... which is also provided on a daily basis)! Sunday morning, we had a lovely HOT Breakfast which included delicious homemade Pastries and fresh Fruit (also provided daily) at the Inn. We spent most of the day driving through the hills of Brown County, Bean Blossum, IN. (the Bluegrass Capitol of the World), and a variety of State Parks, wound up in Bloomington, IN. where we grabbed a late lunch/early supper, before heading back for a little strolling. (We'd like to add, that Nahsville is a bit of a Ghost Town on Sundays, but very nice and quiet!) Again, we were able to enjoy the Hor Dourves that evening and on top of that, a little later that night, we grabbed some of the Inn's 'to-die-for' homemade Desserts... TOOOOO much food for one weekend! On Monday, we were again at the Dining area for another wonderful hot Breakfast, before hitting the road for a little more shopping. After 'turning in the keys' at the Desk... (we sure are going to miss this place with it's lovely atmosphere, Staff and of course the incredible FOOD!)... we were once again, out for a bit more shopping and strolling. When we felt it was about the time to head home, we directed our car for the Highway... even though a wee sad, we were anxious to see our little Aly-girl!!!!! We grabbed a bite of late lunch/early supper at "On the Border", did a little 'Mall-walking' and then you'll never guess where we went!!!!! (Ugh!) Well, long story short, Greg's back had been 'out' all weekend, so our last stop found us at 'the Doc's'! However, all in all we had one of the best weekends we've had in a very long time and are grateful to once again be "Home, Home on The Range"!

Summer Company Abounds and It All Begins in A "Boys Dorm"...

WOW!!!


Camp is over and the Company has begun to roll in...



Wes and his friend, Devin are in for the week. Greg and Cuz Nate went to pick them up over the weekend. Nate spent last night with us, so they've been having a ball together for 3+ days now. G'Ma and G'Pa Penn will be coming in this Thursday evening, staying with us over the 4th weekend and Whitley will be coming in at the end of the month, for a week. We also plan to have part of the Louisiana clan with us for a week and that's coming up right away!!! YAY! Having company really is a BLAST!!!
Busy times for sure, but are we ever having fun... I'll add a little Photo Album of our week so far, (the first 1 1/2 to 2 days of it, anyway!) at the bottom of the BLOG for your viewing pleasure, K? Please please please remember NONE of these pix were 'posed' and also remember our house has literally turned into a BOYS DORM this week! (Aly and I actually need 'back-up'... a Boys Dorm is NO place for little angels like us! LOL)
Well, last week was a little interesting to say the least! Camp was interesting in and of itself (we won't even go there) and then, I had a bit of a scare on Wednesday spending 12 hours in the ER, on top everything else! They took several tests, I'll go to my regular Doctor tomorrow for a follow-up, but all is well at the moment... PTL for His watchful look over us all, especially in our time of need! He's a good God and we'd never make it without Him!!!
One things for sure, with all of the busy days that seem to be flying by, Summer will be over LONG before I'm ready for it to be! I trust you are all having a splendid Summer and I'd LOVE to hear from some of you... especially those that I haven't heard from lately - HINT HINT (lol)!!! XO

Boys Will Be Boys!!! An UN-POSED look into the real deal...