Birthday Celebrations!

After the parade and Thanksgiving events, about 40 to 50 of us went to a local restaurant for dinner. November 18th is a birthday of two special girls, so the day ended with a celebration of the anniversary!


The Birthday girls- Sarah turning 13 and Blair Brown turning 19


Mrs. Thain and Mrs. Brown cutting the cake


... While Madison waits for her piece! :)

Exploring Plymouth

We arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Thursday evening of the 16th. We spent the time unpacking and swimming in the hotel pool.
Friday we began to explore on our own before the Faith and Freedom Tour began on Monday.


Learning history, talking and walking along together


Jennifer at the Jenney Grist Mill, the oldest mill in the United States- in Plymouth
The owner of the mill, dressed in his 1620's attire, gave us a most interesting tour and talk.


We spent the afternoon walking around Plymouth and at Burial Hill


At the grave of Adoniram Judson, famous early Baptist missionary to Burma


Reading headstones- Many stones contained beautiful verses of poetry and unique names


Before we went to dinner with the Sherman family, Nathan and Katelyn Stevens and their friend, we walked out on the rocks. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of us at dinner.


From dinner we walked to a patriotic concert in Plymouth Memorial Hall. We were glad to hear the Singing Trooper Dan again after hearing him three years ago. Also we heard from persons taking on the character of William Bradford, Ben Franklin and Abigail Adams.
Our night ended with singing and prayer at the hotel with friends.

Thanksgiving Parade

Plymouth annually has a Thanksgiving celebration the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Our good friends, the Thain family, who have temporarily moved to Plymouth, asked us to join them and friends in marching next to the Mayflower float. The Thain family are from Hawaii. They have an amazing story of how they moved to Plymouth- more on that in a later post!

Gathering at the Thains' home before the parade (picture courtesy of Mr Scott Brown)

Amy waving to the crowds (Picture courtesy of Mr. Brown)

Jennifer, Mina Thain and Susan

It was estimated that 170,000 people came for the parade

The Ben Franklin Float (picture courtesy of Mr. Brown)

Pilgrims watching the Red Coats (Picture courtesy of Mr. Brown)

Everyone made it through the parade along with float, in one piece! (Picture courtesy of Mr. Brown)

In line for the Food Festival

John, Mom and Mrs. Malia Thain, enjoying the end of a busy day (courtesy of Mr. Brown)

We're home again!

After a 12 day trip in Plymouth and Boston, we arrived home last night. Over the next few days we hope to post pictures and commentary of our Thanksgiving and Faith and Freedom Tour adventures.
For now, here is Daniel in his pilgrim outfit!

Happy 13th Birthday, Sarah!!

Sarah's 13th birthday isn't really today. We will be gone for a family vacation over the Thanksgiving holiday so here are some pictures of her growing up a few days early!


Now we have 4 girls!


Sister Hugs ~ Baby Sarah and Jennifer















Sarah and Grandpop


Celebrating Christmas at age two


The Stinnettie Stage Coach! :) Sarah, Daniel and Amy


Sarah and Daniel playing cars


Growing up into a beautiful girl- inside, out


Pajama Party with John! '06

Operation Christmas Child

Every year, for the past six years, we have done this fun Christmas project. Operation Christmas Child sends shoebox gifts to children all over the world who might not otherwise receive a Christmas gift. During the year we collect small gifts and save our shoeboxes, then in November put the gifts together.


Wrapping the shoe boxes


John Boy helping with the tape


The finished boxes waiting for some children

Happy Birthday, Daniel, times 11!

Here are pictures of Daniel growing up-

The day you were born


Four months old and enjoying pots and pans


Around the age of two with Daddy


In the kitchen


Helping at the nursing home


A Kodak moment when you were little!

Playing your recorder in your pilgrim outfit


With Sergeant York's son, Andy, in your WWI outfit


Summer 2006

A Craby night

Last week a friend from Dad's work gave us a bushel of live crabs.

A friendly Maryland Crab









Run for your life! :}

John dosen't seem eager to want to make friends with this guy!



















Spicing it with Old Bay



















Isn't this fun?

The fruit of our labors.

Fall Fun

Welcome to our home!


These are some of the colors around our house

















Thanksgiving decorations are taking over the mantle with our pilgrim picture in the center.


Raking leaves in bare feet! Daniel and John spent most of the afternoons of the last two days raking leaves to make a pile big enough to play in.


Romping together


This is the life!


Our youngest cutie pie