Family

We just spent a vacation week in Ocean City, NJ and have come away with a renewed and profound sense of the importance of family.  The fruits of our collective labors are summed up in the photo above that includes all of the Beatty cousins.  We thank God for the joy of our children and how refreshed we are to have been together again with the rest the Beatty side of our family.

Click here for some highlights from the week.

The Beatty Beauties

This past weekend, Kirstan, Davis and I were SO excited to be a part of Susan and Keith Carlson's wedding. Kirstan was a bridesmaid, Davis a flower girl, and I had a chance to sing and play with a 5 piece string ensemble (wow!). We had so much fun! The Beatty ladies had some new hair dos...I think you'll agree that I am blessed to be in the presence of such beauty every day.

My first "walk"

It has been a month since my hernia surgery and I have really been anxious to get moving again.  It's funny, I haven't been a runner (of any sort) but have had this strange desiring brewing the past few weeks to get out and give it a shot.  I purchased a pair of Nikes and a gadget that hooks up to my iPod and now I can track my progress (and listen to some great music).  I am choosing to post the workout details on the blog for all the world to see...and probably some level of accountability.  I need these kinds of things to keep me motivated...so feel free to ask me how I'm doing!

Davis Beatty:Photographer

We got Davis a Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera for her birthday and she has absolutely fallen in love (like her daddy) with taking pictures.  We highly recommend this "toy" for a child her age...she is having a blast with it and I'm sure she will have it by her side all summer long.  Here's her first picture!

Happy Birthday Davis!

Davis turns four years old on Tuesday, July 15. Where have the years gone?!?!  

We celebrated today with a few of her best friends and momma Kirstan threw together one heck of a party.  Not only did the kiddos make their own pizzas, they also decorated some picture frames that will serve as a "thank you" from Davis.  We took some individual pics of Davis with her friends and will get them printed out for the frame.  Great idea, Kirstan!  Rather than a cake, Davis wanted the party-goers to decorate their own cupcakes...that was a hit as well.

If you'd like to take a look at some great pics of the party, click on this link.  We uploaded a few shots to our Mac Web Gallery.  Enjoy. 

We love you, Davis!  Happy Birthday!

July 4, 2008

For the 2nd year in a row, we spent July 4th at Kirstan's parents and the kids participated in the Northfield, IL parade.  The weather was absolutely perfect and we all had a blast.  Davis got to "hooda-hoop" and got her face painted.  Webb sported a few patriotic tattoos and drank a whole bottle of Gatorade on his own!  We were all pretty tired by the end of the day.  Davis even managed to catch the fireworks (at 9:30pm) without a nap.  You go girl!

At the Naperville Ribfest

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Kirstan and I love to watch Food Network.  Especially when they go around the country and document the many Chili Cook-offs, Pie Contests...and Rib competitions.  Well, tonight we experienced the annual Ribfest in Naperville, IL and had an absolute blast.  

Not only did we all get a taste of some phenomenal ribs but the kids got their groove on when Ted Nugent took the stage and rocked it old school.

Davis and solid food

I have been toying around with some new software in hopes that we can start posting some videos of the family online.  Here is the first video that I was able to produce yesterday...enjoy Davis and her first taste of solid food.

Happy Birthday Webb!

We spent the day at Grandma & Papa Bear's celebrating Webb's 2nd birthday.  In typical fashion, the day started with a pretty good threat of rain, but things cleared up nicely so we could enjoy the day in the pool as well as some good brats and ice cream cake!  Webb was so glad to see Kelsey, Declan and Conor Carroll as well as Izzy, Hillary and Schuylar Cox.  And a party is just not complete without Aunt Nancy!