Our family got to go to Sunriver, Oregon a week ago for a week, great time with the entire Aaby-clan. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the week.
Hope you were able to get away on a vacation this summer!
Grace,
Brian
Last week I had suggested to our family that we head over Lake Meridian to have a picnic and enjoy a sunny Sunday evening. We loaded up, got in the car and as we got in I noticed that Halle didn’t even put one of her new books down while she got in… she just kept reading as she climbed into her booster, as she buckled up and as we drove off. Halle is quite the reader. SIDE NOTE: On our vacation last week we went to the Library right before we left and picked up at least four books for her and not once, but twice during the week we had to go to used book stores to pick up four to six more books (each time) for her.
Back to Sunday.
We arrived at the park and as we got out of the car she continued to read as she unbuckled, climbed out of the car and as we walked across the parking lot. The conversation that ensued:
Me: Halle, you can put your book down for a second or two, at least while getting in and out of cars…
Halle: Daddy, I just love reading, you might call me The Bookie Monster.
Wow. Speechless. Though laughing VERY MUCH out loud.
PBS has The Cookie Monster
The Aabys have The Bookie Monster
We love the great quotes we get from kids!
Grace,
Brian
She did it.
Grace,
Brian
P.S. If you don’t know what I am talking about, read my last post.
Will she take the challenge?
That’s right, I’m challenging my wife… since she has not blogged in quite some time, I am challenging her to take the next few posts of hers and do what I just did… she can even steal some of my subjects for her “Top 5” if she’d like.
I just know that most of her blogs have me laughing, and I would like some more laughter. So, there ya go Babe, consider yourself dared!
I love you.
Okay, now for the rest of you, click here to see if she does it!
Grace,
Brian
Today marks the completion of a week long series titled, “Top 5’s.” It’s been so much fun that I have decided to make it a regular post. So, starting this Tuesday I am going to do “Top 5 Tuesday.” I’ll do my best to remember to make a top 5 list each Tuesday.
As we conclude the week, I save the best for last, my top 5 places I have been to with my bride! This is going to be a very difficult list to complete because we’ve been to some pretty great places together and we have created quite the list of memories. Some of the places we have been to as a family (read: with kids) and others just as a couple. Instead of doing a pre and post kids individual lists, I’ve made it tougher on myself and had to create the master list!
So, without further ado, the list:
Honorable Mention: Jaipur, India; Disneyland; Flagstaff, AZ; Bed and Breakfast in Port Townsend; and several others I can’t think of right now!
Five: Sunriver, Oregon. This week we have spent in a very nice rental house in Sunriver, OR. My parents gave their three kids and their families this week at Sunriver with them. The house is a five bedroom house with a bonus room. Each couple has a master-mini-suite (except I’d call my parents room the master JUMBO suite). And then the cousins have the other room and a bonus gaming room to share. We’ve had a blast, good weather, great pools and biking and hiking trails galore! My brother brought his Wii, so this entertained for hours!
Four: Copenhagen, Denmark. Around Christmas and New Years in the year 2000 Elisabeth and I led a mission trip to an orphanage in Kota, India. Though the India trip itself is a honorable mention, we did have a nice 20-hour layover in Copenhagen on the way home. I wish we would have had several days there, but to have this time as a couple after a 10 day mission was amazing. The hotel was a cute little villa and we loved our dinner out at an American Diner (after the time in India I honestly felt this burger was one of my best ever). The “date” was concluded the next day when we got to our flight and we got upgrade to Business Class on our 10 hour flight home!
Three: Catalina Island, Avalon, CA. Because I was a Youth Pastor for so many years Elisabeth and I have had a hard time finding the opportunity to do a trip during our anniversary time (July 20). Camps, retreats and missions have prevented us from doing an extended trip, so we decided to do a pseudo-anniversary trip in February 2005 by taking a cruise. We did a quick four-night cruise which included a day at Catalina Island. There is a beauty of Catalina that literally feels like you’re in a different country. We loved our time on the island and my favorite memory was having coffee together off the beaten path at this little cafe at the top of a hill.
Two: Salish Lodge, Snoqualmie Falls. For Elisabeth’s 30th birthday I surprised her with a sweet deal at the Salish Lodge. I couldn’t believe the Internet special I scored which included our night at the lodge, two massages, and a $30 credit at the restaurant. The November night had a perfect late fall, early winter feel. Each room has its own fireplace and a great sunken tub! What a great way to celebrate her 30th!
One: Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii. We have had the great privilege of being to the Marriott at Kaanapali Beach twice! When we wed in 1996 we spent an entire week at this haven! Then, several years later, with Halle, we got to go back when I was invited to speak at a camp on Maui. We extended our trip by booking a couple nights at the same hotel we had our honeymoon. I can’t wait to go back to this place sometime in the future! There’s something about having the pools, shopping, restaurants and the ocean (not to mention 85º weather) steps away from your beautiful ocean view room.
You have some “top places” you’ve been to? Any suggestions where I can take Elisabeth (and/or my family) to crack the top 5?
I look forward to Top 5 Tuesdays in the future!
Grace,
Brian
You decide, teenager or five year old?
In all honesty Audrey was very excited about getting her hair cut, it’s just how the camera caught her at the perfect time!
Gotta love candid shots!
Grace,
Brian
I was scrolling through my iphoto library and looking at the last couple weeks of photos I have uploaded. I know I can be a goofy guy, but it is very encouraging to know that I am not the only freak around; most of my family and many of my friends like to get a bit strange from time-to-time!
Enjoy!
Spider-Halle
Where does she get the goofiness?
That's my boy!
Kirk, Brian and Aaron with the Youthmark "Y"
Next time I see you, I may just have to catch you bustin’ some weirdness!
Grace,
Brian
I’m a Washington boy tried and true, however, I have some pretty significant influences (past and present) in California and as I was praying this morning I realized a lot of my prayer focus today is California based. So, whether or not you agree that In-N-Out is by far the best fast food burger; perhaps you don’t think Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, or maybe you’re not a huge fan of Arnold or any of his movies; sit back and at least give praise and prayer for the things I’m thinking and praying about in CA:
My Best-Bud Jeramy: Jeramy is on of the Pastors at Emmanuel Faith Community Church (efcc.org) in Escondido, CA. He had the privilege of delivering the sermon last week and gets to do it again on Sunday (here is last week’s message). Please pray for the Word of the Lord to be clear to him as he delivers the message. On top of that, Jeramy is preparing to be the camp speaker at Hume Lake Camp for a high school camp Aug. 16-22. Hume is one of the largest Christian camps in the nation so it is a high honor for Jeramy to have been asked to speak here!
Speaking of EFCC: The Emmanuel Faith High School group has a team serving through Youthmark in the Gulf Coast as you read. Josh, the Youth Pastor, just updated their blog here. I’d love for you join them in prayer this week as they transition from New Orleans inner-city focus to Pass Christian and doing ministry in a small town.
Speaking of Small Towns: The five teams from the greater Seattle area serving in Northern California are finishing a wonderful week of ministry. Don’t hesitate to go here to see the latest, scroll down to July 18-27 to read each of the three church blogs representing the five teams.
My friend Mike: Mike Penberthy, a former Los Angeles Laker is preparing to come up north to speak at Lake Retreat at the Men’s Retreat September 18-20. Please pray for his messages to be developed and for the men who will be in attendance. If you are a man, we’d love for you to get your men’s ministry at your church to join us, let me know you’re interested and I’ll get in touch with you.
My Family: My in-laws live in Southern California. I have been blessed with a great extended family. I don’t let a day go by without thanking the Lord for the family He has blessed me with. I’d appreciate your prayers for them, not for any particular need that I know of at this time, just a quick “thank you” for their influence on the Aaby family, their partnership in the ministry and their wonderful gifts (which go far beyond physical gifts–they are the most giving emotionally, spiritually, words of wisdom, etc.).
Okay, okay, you can pray that I get an In-N-Out Burger soon!
Though I don’t love California (though I must say it’s a great place to visit), I love much about California! God is at work there and for that I am very thankful!
Grace,
Brian
The battery ran out on our camera so I couldn’t upload and post the “before/now” picture yesterday, so I am providing it today. So, 13 years ago yesterday Elisabeth and I got married. Great times; even greater now!
July 20, 1996
July 20, 2009
Today we get to celebrate the anniversary (babysitting not available yesterday). Looking forward to spending a great portion of the day with my bride!
Grace,
Brian
13 years ago today I started the day on my knees praising the Lord for the gift He gave me in Elisabeth. Our two years of friendship, dating and being engaged was celebrated in a beautiful wedding at a wonderful chapel in Colorado Springs. Here’s a quick look at what we looked like that day…
July 20, 1996
13 years later, I am on my knees once again thanking the Lord for the ever-growing friendship I have with my bride, Elisabeth. In the days before our wedding we dreamt of one day having a family; we longed for our marriage to be a witness to family and friends who did not know Jesus; we hoped for a long-lasting ministry with students (and staff, parents and congregants); we desired to learn from our inevitable mistakes and handle each with grace and integrity.
13 years ago we had lots of hopes and dreams, today we are able to look back and see God’s mighty provision. Our hopes, dreams and prayers continue to grow, but isn’t it fun to look back and see how much He has provided to date? Who says that “13” is unlucky? And better than that, who need “luck” when you have faith in a loving God who has always been faithful?
I’d like to think that I am more wise now than I was 13 years ago, but I will tell you this, I made the wisest decision of my life when I married Elisabeth. She brings me so much joy; and she’s cute to boot! She’s a great Mommy and a wonderful encourager of her husband. She’s a great friend to others, and especially to me! She’s a gifted writer–and unfortunately needs to use her editing skills more than she’d like with me! She’s a great daughter; she invests in her family of origin and loves on my family so well too.
Thank you Jesus for my wonderful bride and the 13 years you’ve given us!
Thank you Elisabeth for being my bestest friend ever!
I love you!
Here are a few pics for kicks and whistles!
Our first ministry together, Roseburg, Oregon.
Our first home-ownership, Kent, WA
May 2001, the surprise announcement of our first baby coming in January 2002
We appreciate your love and support of this Aaby family. Keep us in your prayers!
Grace,
Brian
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