Lifegroup Fun

Our lifegroup came to our house for burgers and laughs last night. They are so much fun and apparently, will do anything for a good picture! Not everyone is in this picture, by the way!

Notice the interlocking arms? Sheri was a TSU cheerleader and showed them proper pyramid form.

Pictured from left to right: Top - Sheri and Dana

Middle - Helen, Lesley, Tracey, Marty

Base - Johnny, Andrew, Brandon, Clyde, Ronnie, Hank

In the very front doing the splits: (drum roll) Cheryl!

(Clyde is there, honest! He's right behind Cheryl)

Bailey, future praise and worship leader
I missed this shot..but Brandon had the crowd mesmorized.....somehow....they were totally captivated by whatever he was saying...

This is me - post Harley ride with Johnny!

Brandon told everyone that this hair is the reason that he will not buy a motorcyle. He loves me so.

Trouble! Right, Lesley?

There were a ton of kids there but they were too quick for any good pictures.

July 4th Carrell Family Fun

Well, this week was something. We received some difficult but also praiseworthy news. Mamaw went home to see the Lord. She was ready and we rejoice with her knowing she is sitting at the feet of Jesus; no longer weak and fraile. That same week, we had the Carrell July 4th weekend planned. So, Brandon thought we'd drop the camper off in Brownwood at the Lake on the way to Stanton, Texas. It would save us some gas and drive time. We set out after Brandon got off of work on Wednesday for Brownwood. We had to make some stops along the way. The truck seemed to be running a little hot. We finally got to the park roads near the lake and Brandon lost power steering and the truck went instantly HOT - all the way to RED. Something had clearly went wrong! Here we were - all 6 of us crammed in Brandon's Dodge pulling a 5th wheel and we were stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere at 10:30pm or so. He was finally able to get some reception and got in contact with Uncle Sammie who was closer than our friends in the Ville. Uncle Sammie, Matt, and Jerry towed us to the Carrell place about 12am? They are awesome!

Unfortunately, no one had a gooseneck hitch to move the camper where it should be so the guys worked on temporary electrical hookups so that we could use the camper at least for the night. We were able to get the kids down about 1am but Brandon didn't get much sleep and I didn't get any. Much too much happening all at one time. Bran woke up the next morning and immediately began working on getting the truck repaired. The next day was July 4th and then it was Saturday, so it was really important that the truck was taken care of quickly or we might be looking at several days without it.

Sad to say that we were unable to make it to Stanton for Sweet Mamaw's funeral. Praise God that we were able to spend time with her the weekend before but not being with the family at that time was so hard.

The calvary came! Colton and Tina got right on top of the rescue effort! ..took off work, brought us our suburban (even had to fill it up because it was, of course, on empty) and moved the camper with his truck so that we could use it. When I saw Colton, I couldn't help but cry a little and give him a big bear hug. Man....cannot say enough about the friends that God has blessed us with. Colton aka Coley and I had to have been separated at birth. We are so much a like that it is crazy. I always say he's my brotha from anotha motha. He's special to us and we love him. Tina has such a generous spirit that she rarely even thinks before acting! (which is how the suburban ended up at the lake so quickly) She is unique and we love and cherish her. They are also members of the 4 or More club with us...a set of 18 month old twin boys- Austin and Nathan, 4 year old Dylan, 6 year old Calista.

Anyway, it started out tiny bit bumpy but ended up great. We love the time with the Carrell clan and were so happy that this year we were able to actually stay a few days rather than just go down for the day. We do not get to see them enough. The awesome thing is that no matter how much time is between the visits, when we are together, it's like no time has passed. We just pick right up where we left off. Family rocks!

Here are some of the pictures from that weekend.

July 4th Pictures

Here are some pictures when the Carrell Clan got together.

There is one picture missing that I REALLY wanted to get on here. I couldn't get to my camera fast enough to catch it. We had alot of boat trouble that weekend. The men spent time working on motors, props, etc.... I took some time to read (a luxury when you have children) in the camper alone. I opened the blinds so that I could see everyone outside and sat on the couch. I looked up from my book and out the window, I saw something that well, I wasn't expecting. I have no idea what was going on out there but there was a group of men standing around the boat trailer and one of them, I won't name names - TC- kept raising his shirt and rubbing his belly. I couldn't get to the camera fast enough! I think this is something that happens among Carrell men or just men in general. I have a belly picture of Cousin Davy from another Carrell event. Is it genetic or environmental or what? TC is married into the clan so I'm guessing it could be genetic but may also be taught environmentally.

Cousins, Davy and Linsey; Uncle Sammie behind Davy

Uncle Bo (Cousin Sammie to us), Aunt Mandy (Brandon's sister, my favorite sister in law)

Cousin Sarah, Aunt Zain, Cousin TC, Caitlin, Colten, and our niece Ali going to watch

fireworks on the lake

Robert and Bart

Emma making the climb to the slide

Emma, Kaci, Cousin Makynli, Cousin Staci

Robert and Cousin Cade

Our niece, Ali and Little Cousin Olivia

Robert found a wood pile to climb on

Waterslide Fun! Kaci coming through!

Robert and Emma

Madi and Emma

Madi soon discovered we had snacks in the camper. She would make little stops for juice and Dora Raisins.

Cousin Caitlin and Cousin Makynli riding the pink scooter!

Emma, Olivia, and Cheyanne

Makynli and Emma

Aunt Mandy and Emma

Brandon, Davy, and Linsey talking while everyone is shooting fireworks

I don't know what Brandon is doing here...some sort of sign language? Telling Matt to steal home? Who knows? Cousin TC and Olivia nearby

Robert and Cade golfing. (Brandon was sure to bring Robert's clubs)

Robert riding the big bike. We always take the kids' bikes when we camp. Maybe next picture, we'll have no training wheels!

Emma golfing. Like Daddy like Daughter

Colten and Cade

Madi, with a cattail, and Cade

Bowling with our Lifegroup

Our Lifegroup is awesome! We had a great turnout at our bowling night on Monday. Most everyone came out and if you couldn't, we truly missed you!

Here are a few pictures from that night.

Emma Hope Carrell putting on the cheez

Christina, Kiley, and Emma

Emma told me that she really wanted to be Kiley's babysitter.

Brandon aka The Brandana

Hank and Brandon - I don't know what they are doing.

Looks like Brandon is describing an injury while Hank, in surprise, clutches his chest and gasps

(Brandon said they were talking about golf)

Christina 'Hot Tamale' Reed

Andrew "Got it going On' Hansen

Ronnie Necessary in spectactular granny form

Tracie and Ronnie doing Granny shots.
You laugh, but it was working!

Andrew and Lesley critiquing the old people(not really)

Jan giving the Thumbs Up while eating pizza!

Scoreboard: Game#1, Team #1

Clyde 'The Glide' Hoffman in a short lived lead. Hank Ray was the victor!

Scoreboard: Game #1, Team #2

Cindy 'The Secret Weapon' Carrell in first and stayed there!

(until the 2nd game, where she came in dead last - keeping the weapon much more secret)

The Necessary's

Maeci Ray

Cheyanne Grace Carrell

One of her balls actually rolled all the way back to her

Robert Carrell

Christina watching for the strike!

Marty 'Making it look Easy' Necessary

- What great form! What great technique!

Lesley 'Got Game' Chamness in action!

The girl can bowl!

Nathan Hoffman

Bill 'The Thrill'- He came alive in game #2!

Clyde 'The Glide' watching it all the way!

Brandon - he looks good doing anything!

I don't know who they are watching!

Phyllis aka Helen
Likin' what she sees!

All the kids

Abby, Sarah, Rachel, Nathan, Cheyanne, Kaci, Maeci, Keith

(sorry if I misspelled anyone)

Ronnie 'The Radical' Necessary

Robert 'The Ringer' Reed