"I like Birthday Parties"

Sunday was my Mom's 77th Birthday so we had the family over for a little party! And although Patience was very concerned with candles, presents and cards...
Corban finds that he likes the Birthday cake!!

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Happy Birthday to our second son! We love you and are praying that this year will be a special one for you. It is hard to believe that your dramatic birth was actually 36 years ago. Switzerland days seem like a dream, but we will never forget your birth day. We are very proud of the son/husband/father/friend/etc. you have become.

Hmmm.... yeah, I'm thinking this is pretty cool!

Downtown Boston

Today the Beals took us downtown Boston. It was a cold, rainy day, but fun none-the-less. We weren't able to tour as much as we would have liked, due to the weather, but we did get to see some interesting things. Mainly graves of some famous people including: Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and --not to forget: Mother Goose! (Her real name is Mary Goose, and her husband is Isaac--if you wanted that big of a history lesson!), the meeting hall where the meeting to plan the "Boston Tea Party" took place, and the most significant to modern church history, was the location of the shoe store where D.L. Moody was converted. It is now a Staples store, but there is a plaque on the wall commemorating him. We also saw Park Street Church where several early famous American's attended and preached in. It was a great day, and Stefan did great being buried in his car seat/stroller the entire time. We ate lunch at a hole in the wall pizza place--a tradition of the Beals--stand up only, but only $1 a piece. We finished off the day in a pastry shop with hot chocolate (for Brian and me!), cappacino's for the "adults", and pastries all around. I can't wait to go back and really see some of the intersting sites when we aren't buried under hats, scarves, and mittens! Really, it wasn't all that cold, it was just wet, wet, wet!
The Beals are John and Robin and children Zach and Allie.

Cheesecake Factory

Sarah Beals gave Jo some money for the two of us to go out--we did take Stefan--so, we went to my favorite restaurant! Afterwards, we shopped 'til we dropped--my dear sisters-in-law, you'd be so proud!!!

Breakfast in bed in Lincoln

Ben is planning on a wonderful day of swimming in the pool all day long. Maybe we'll post some more later, but here is how his day started.

Happy Birthday Big Ben! 11!!

Happy, happy birthday to our oldest grandson--11 years old! Wow. The years do fly (as I said for Uncle Bob!) Hope you have a wonderful day, enjoy breakfast in bed and are spoiled ! How about a French breakfast? Hurry on over!

Happy Birthday, Bob!

The years have a way of flying by--but we still remember vividly the birth of our first-born! You were special then and still are. We love you and hope that you have a wonderful day and year!

Birthday Dinner at Plymouth Rock

The Mayflower made it back to Plymouth, MA for my birthday dinner! They had thought that it would still be in England, but it must have come back early just for me. ;-) It was too cold to walk up to it, but I was able to get a good picture of it and of Plymouth Rock which is "caged" in! (Not pictured.) I had flounder for my dinner by the sea. The food was delicious, the setting was beautiful (albeit somewhat cold--(we were on an enclosed veranda, and it just wouldn't get warm enough for this southern girl!--same table as you were at, T & R.), and the fellowship was wonderful. It was my birthday gift from Jo and Brian. I then got (at my request) instructed in dispensationalism, covenant theology, and...I think that's all!!, on the way home. 'Twas a grand evening indeed!

Easter in Spartanburg

We thoroughly enjoyed our Easter AT HOME! ;-) My parents and grandmother came to spend the weekend with us. It's the first time they've been to see us since we moved into the parsonage. I'm afraid we didn't get a Bixby family pic together, and by the time that picture at the table was taken, Micaiah had already been playing with his buddies and fallen in the mud with his Easter garb and then had to be changed out of it. But anyway, that was our day. We loved visiting with our CPBC family, too. Donna gave Miriam the darling dress and the matching one for her baby.

A Quick Photo Op of a Tired Boy!

Stefan and Auntie Donna

This is what it's like trying to get pictures of Stefan AND Auntie Donna!

Easter Morning

We had  a wonderful Easter!  Only sorry at the lack of pictures!! The only pictures we took of Corban was the family picture.  I think I will get him re-dressed and take a few! We had a nice dinner with my parents, Philip Sperling, Karyn Heath and Pat Berryman (Lacey and girls went to MI to visit family).  Notice the pink (upside down) purse in the last picture -- Isa, Patience LOVES it and choose her Easter dress to MATCH the beautiful pink purse you gave her for her birthday!! Reminds me -- I think she needs to get re-dressed and take a few too!!  This is what happens when Mom is in charge of both church breakfast and family dinner!!  Oh well...  we had a nice, non frenzied day.... honest!

Stefan's first Easter

The quality of the picture is not the greatest--sorry, don't know what setting I had the camera on, but the subject is too cute to resist.

Easter Sunday in MA

It's been a spit-up day for Stefan, so we had to commemorate it! It was a nice day with great services. Can't wait to see pics of everyone else.

My B'day and Viviane's

Viviane's birthday is just a couple of days before mine. I decorated her cakes for the beautiful party her mom put on for her first birthday. The top two pictures are just a couple from the wonderful bday party her mommy put on for me! The flowers started out on the table, but got moved for the food. However, I thought they were so beautiful, that I had to post them.

Cuteness!

Did you know

that the author of "A Toi La Gloire" pastored a church in Vevey, Switzerland for more than 35 years? Just getting ready for tomorrow and found that out.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

Happy Birthday to our darling daughter, super sister, amazing auntie, tremendous teacher, faithful friend, etc. etc. etc. We love you and you deserve a crown!

Now, if you would like to see all the picture that was taken yesterday when her class gave her a birthday party...

Lookin' like a big boy!

Good Bye Tim, Ruth, Micaiah, and Miriam! We miss you!

We had a great time together the last couple of weeks. We miss them already. Here are some random shots of our time together. Come back and see us-- in a month:-) Everyone else--- come see us too!

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Just a few of the ways we've "corrupted" Brian since he joined our family! Happy 2nd birthday as part of our crazy family, Brian, and happy 27th real birthday! We love you and are thankful for God bringing you and Johanna together (even if you did take her away from Greenville!). Have a wonderful day!

An Evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra

We were so glad that Johanna and Brian told us about the opportunity to get "Rush Tickets" with the BSO. We went early to pick up our tickets, moseyed over to Au Bon Pain for a pastry and hot chocolate, and then returned to the Symphony Hall for the pre-concert talk. The concert featured a modern work titled The Way to Castle Yonder by English composer Knussen, Dvorak's "emotionally turbulent" Symphony No. 7, and the famous "Emperor Concerto" by Beethoven. It was an excellent evening, and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Again, thank you Brian & Johanna for suggesting it and for babysitting!

Hi-tech missionary kids!

The Hansons at IBC

Yesterday, Brian, Johanna & Stefan took us to their new church home to give us a tour. We thought we'd share some pictures of them in their new habitat.